I like the tulips when they bloom. The problem is that most of my tulips here have been in the garden for several years and have not reliably bloomed the past few years. This year was the year I was all set to rip out all of my tulips. In fact-I began doing so and threw all the small bulbs I could easily pull out of the ground into the compost bin with a good shake of my hands. But I did not get around to ripping all of the hybrid tulips out and look what happened. They bloomed. Now I am severely chagrined for throwing out those old tulip bulbs because tulips are really very pretty when in bloom. But, as much as I love tulips and am happy any of them bloomed for me I am not so sure it wouldn't have been a better thing if I had ripped them out before the 'Forest Pansey' redbud bloomed.
Because when you look at the tulips in the big picture you can tell there is a problem. A clash of colors-namely the pink shade of the tulips does not work with the magenta of the redbud. Maybe a shade of yellow or even white would work better here. I think these pink tulips might just be blooming their last bloom here in the garden and I must make an effort to either move them or toss them. Any bad color combos in your garden? Those that you will admit too....
in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
So many times we gardeners garden only for blooms. I myself simply adore blooms, but try to consider the foliage too. Blooms are fleeting whereas the foliage lasts a long time. Spring is an awesome time to notice foliage. Everything is so succulent, green, and full that the foliage really tends to grab an onlooker. Here are a few of my favorite fabulous foliage combinations. Some look good together based on color, or texture, or form, but all fit well together regardless of additional traits they possess. I usually do consider texture and form when planting, but some of these are just happy accidents. The first such picture is one of those happy accidents.
Santolina (Lavender Cotton) and Yellow Button Mum
Hosta and Feverfew
Dwarf Alberta Spruce and Nepata 'Walkers Low'
Daffodil, Iris and Asiatic Lily Foliage
One of my absolute favorites! Bishops Weed (yes I know you can never get rid of it, but mine is contained and I like it) and Lily of the Valley
'Goldflame' Spirea and Iris Foliage
Iris and Variegated Grass (I lost the name-sorry)
Hosta, Lamium and Woodland Phlox
Sedum and Tree Peony Foliage
Turtlehead and Goatsbeard and Astilbe
Lambs Ear and Anisse Hyssop 'Blue Fortune'
Yellow Primrose and Iberis (Okay, disregard the blooms!)
Oxalis and Iris
Iris Ensata and Shasta Daisies
'Powis Castle' Artemesia and Mom's Hydrangea
Some other great combinations not pictured: nandina and little leaf euonymous or boxwood, lambs ear with allium or sedum or 'Firewitch' dianthus, and daylily with salvia or shasta daisies. These are just a few of my favorites. What are some fabulous foliage combinations you find in your garden?
in the garden....
