I adore tulips. I have no idea why these flowers excite me so much – perhaps because there are so many varieties, so many colours, so many shapes, but I love having these in my garden (or on my balcony) during early spring. Sadly even the so-called late flowering types seem to arrive in April, but let’s enjoy them while they are here. As well as tulips though, there are other spring delights coming up this week, and there will be a round-up of all this years bulbs on Wednesday including the tulips…
(Please click on any image to scroll through the gallery)
My Kilmarnock Willow tree always fascinates me at this time of the year as the new leaves appear from the tips of the weeping branches, creating a kind of nature’s tutu. Sparrows love to congregate among the muddle of branches and this year a blackbird has taken to sitting on top singing its sweet song as the sun sets.
The Honeywort or Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’ has popped up in the raised bed, though I do have new seeds to sow. And the Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’ (Pincushion Flower), which seems far too pink to me is looking good this year, so far. The unknown ASDA clematis is a mass of white flowers and buds along the fence at the back of the garden and in the woodland border my Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis; formerly Dicentra spectabilis) has risen from the ground. Tulipa ‘Purple Ladies’ are still hanging on in the verdigris container giving me a good four weeks of flowers.
So what is your favourite spring flower?
As always, if you want a peek over other people’s garden walls then please pop over to our host, the lovely Jon, AKA ‘The Propagator’ where you find links to many more wonderful garden enthusiasts from all over the world.
See here for the participant’s guide.
Cornwall in Colours 
I do see why you have no need to visit anywhere but your own garden.
Your show of spring flowers looks lovely!! I think my favourite spring flower, and the one that heralds in spring, is jasmine, J. Polyanthus. It is the first to flower in spring, and the delightful perfume fills the air and makes you dream of warmer days. I love the tulips, but it’s too hot for the. Here!
I love too that the background to your garden is rolling green hill! It’s beautiful!
Yes, the green hills do create a lovely background.
Jasminum polyanthum are normally grown in a glasshouse here, they are lovely plants though and a beautiful scent. I have seen them outside in Penzance in a very sheltered garden.
I never knew the Kilmarnock willow came into leaf like that, so very unusual. Your garden is a mass of colour. I think Snowdrops are my favourite spring flowers or at least harbingers of spring. Amelia
I have only got a few snowdrops and they hide under that tree! I should get more as they are more weather resistant than the crocuses that also live there.
Beautiful flowers, Jude – so wonderful to see so much color! I love the colors and shapes of tulips but most don’t persevere here in my garden’s heavy clay. Apricot Beauty and Shirley are my favorites and Shirley lasts a few years too.
Thank you for sharing your garden, Jude. Tulips are a favorite, too. (and I love to photograph them in their final hours, too) Your knowledge and photos are a joy to take in. 🌷💚