Simply grow....

4/5/2015

My friend Liz gave me prunings from her twisted willow tree - they make great supports for the sweet peas on their painted cane wigwams. This one will have sweet pea Gwendoline - pale pink, strong scent - surrounded by ammi majus and gypsophila.

Sweet pea Nearly Black is going to be grown on the blue canes (needing repainted really but I'll just think of it as shabby chic for this year!). Around will be poppy Dark Plum.

Much nicer than string I think. I tried coloured string but it faded within two weeks.

Meanwhile, a far cry from the delicacy and subtlety of the anticipated sweet peas, I'm almost overwhelmed by the opulent and voluptuous tulips which kept opening in the warmth of the room until they were the size of teaplates!

15 Comments

Swissrose link

4/5/2015 05:06:24 pm

What gorgeous tulips those are, quite sensational!

I love the "curly" sticks - they're often used here as Easter "trees" with little ornaments hanging off them. The Latin name corylus avellana is also close to my heart as one of my girls is Aveline :)

Freda

4/5/2015 05:26:01 pm

I should have said - this is salix contortua - corylus avellana would serve the same purpose though it maybe doesn't grow as fast for frequent prunings. Aveline is a lovely name! I don't know the name of the tulips..

julia

4/5/2015 08:46:59 pm

hi freda, aneighbor gave me some branches of curly willow fromm her tree. they rooted beautifully in a jar of water and i planted them in a spongy place in the yard....they grew into a huge willow tree! would this variety do that, do you think?
love your niche arrangement!... glorious tulips....:-)

Freda

4/5/2015 09:47:17 pm

I thought the fresh ones I used last year for the sweet peas might take root, but they didn't! I think they might in water though. The card goes with the tulips doesn't it - thanks Julia.

julia

5/5/2015 06:31:28 am

you are so welcome, freda!

cath

5/5/2015 01:15:05 am

I don't know the name of the tulips either, I call them 'ravage (as in French) and have a vase with a green/cream variety. Looking forward to your sweet peas already.

Freda

5/5/2015 06:46:28 am

They are known as 'parrot' tulips here, but I don't remember the actual name of this one - though it started out quite muted colours!

Grace

5/5/2015 05:24:13 am

Beautiful tulips. If you grow them in pots do you use a special compost?

Freda

5/5/2015 06:47:18 am

Just a multipurpose compost renewed every second ot third year Grace.

Sarah link

5/5/2015 06:09:55 am

Your tulips are amazing they look so huge. What variety were they? I'm glad to see you colourful sticks have reappeared. Irt looks so good with the twisted willow too.
Sarah x

Freda

5/5/2015 06:51:15 am

I don't know the exact name Sarah, but like yours they came from Sarah Raven.

Cathy

5/5/2015 06:16:21 am

Omigosh! I've never seen tulips like these. They are just gorgeous!

Freda

5/5/2015 06:52:05 am

Outrageous is what they are. Love them!!

Angela link

5/5/2015 04:56:26 pm

I'd never seen the crazy pink and green tulips before until last weekend, in the flower field near our house, and here they are growing in your garden too! They're amazing, Freda! I've been greedy and taken (well, paid for) a mixed bunch for downstairs and a hot pink bunch for the bedroom. I've loved the tulips this year and will be sad when they're gone!

Freda

5/5/2015 07:40:02 pm

How great to be able to pick your own from a field full of them! I shall grow more for picking next year.

Simply grow....

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