Around twenty years ago I planted some red tulips near to the house. Every year come rain or shine they come back. I have gone through phases of hating them and have come full circle. This Autumn I shall plant them up with some clashing reds and oranges, maybe even dark dark purple.

If I have any spare I could use them to plant up some pots, though the troughs at the back should probably be white.

Meanwhile in the front of the garden the Angelique bulbs have grown well and put on a lovely show but they could probably do with a few darker bulbs dotted in amongst them, maybe tulip negrita which is not quite as short but not too far off.

The tulips in the iris bed have put on a good show, despite a very strange arrival (not ordered) instead of my china pinks. It looks like some kind of green/pink parrot.

So the collection looks good partly because of the colour combination but also the variation in height. The tall whites really stand out best but are just a little too tasteful for me.Anemones look like they might work as a border up by the roses at the back.

But underneath the hedge the little tulip saxatalis looked great, but next time I’d better start planting from the magnolia down towards the house to even things up.

The small white muscari haven’t really worked nearly as well. I’d consider planting woodruff but once it’s in, it will never be possible to get it out again, and I’m not really ready for a red tulip experience.

Now all I have to do is remember I’ve written it all down here, come the end of the Summer when it’s time to order the bulbs!