Although my gardens are greening up nicely this cool March, I still don’t have much blooming. Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis ) are soaring from their fleshy foliage
and soon there will be more Iris blooms, but mostly the garden remains on a flowering strike due to our lingering cool winter and effects from our last hard freeze. This past week though, I’ve enjoyed a treat each time I visit my back garden. The Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiana var. chrysantha) welcomes me each day in varying poses and wardrobe changes. In the morning,
these ladies haven’t quite awakened. Remained wrapped in their rosy red robes against the crisp mornings,
they aren’t quite ready to face the day. But, as the sun warms, Lady Tulips open, bit by bit,
revealing their bright, yellow dresses for dancing in spring breezes.
Tulips delight in the warmth of the afternoon sun,
before enfolding colorful petals toward the end of the day.
I bought these bulbs two years ago at Barton Springs Nursery. It was an impulse purchase, the kind I prefer to avoid, but succumb to that day. Last year, these tulips bloomed, but the show was limited and not particularly impressive. I complete forgot I planted the bulbs until last week when the happy tulips reappeared. I’m guessing that 2014’s cooler temperatures are why Lady Tulips are reveling in spring this year.
I’m not complaining.
This year, Lady Tulips define spring in my slow-to-awaken garden.
My Gardener Says... 
The Lady Tulips are so pretty! I’m putting these on my plant wish list:)
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Hi Steph! Oh, do that!! I’m so tickled with them this year. Especially since I’ve had to do nothing but enjoy them–that’s the kind of plant I really like.
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How clever of you to give us a series of shots so we could enjoy your “ladies” as they unfolded during the day. I’m quite smitten! I will have to keep an eye out for them next time I am at BSN.
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I was pea green with envy when Jenny at Rock Rose posted photos of her Lady Jane Tulips two weeks ago and then my different ones started blooming a few days later and I was thrilled. So happy that they’ve bloomed and I plan to get more of them next fall. Maybe I’ll see you a BSN!
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Everyone should grow these. They demand little but give so much. A great companion for the heart leaf skull cap.
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Hi Jenny! After I saw your Lady Jane tulips, I remembered that I’d planted a related tulip. They didn’t do much last year, but they’ve more than made up for that poor showing. I agree–these are an easy, lovely bulb for this area and are too underutilized. I plan to buy and plant more bulbs next fall. And they are nice with the skullcap, aren’t they? I love easy plants.
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