Monday, May 12, 2008

Tulip Time

I hope those of you who are mothers had a perfectly wonderful Mother's Day yesterday.
Mine was peaceful and pleasant, with phone calls from each of our three children, and conversations with our 2 grandsons. I love hearing those sweet little voices on the phone.

On Saturday afternoon I paid a visit to my favorite nursery and bought some plants with my Mother's Day money from our son and his wife and the boys. They know the way to my heart is through flowers :) I came home with a hanging basket of 'Supertunia Rasberry Blast' Petunias (by Proven Winners) and a few other plants. The RB Petunias did extremely well for me last year, so I wanted to try a repeat performance.

Yes Annie, the tulips are blooming like mad, and we've had some sunny days, but the temperatures have been much cooler than our 2 weeks of summery weather in April. We actually reverted back to winter temps for a while there, and felt rather put out by the return of the cold. After the warmth it's very hard to go back, even though we know that here in NY we should expect spring to behave in this manner.

These are Red Emporers

These beautiful purplish pink tulip blooms last longer than most.

They have a white fringe on the edges.

A tiny white spider decided this one made a good home. Posted by Picasa

Triumph - Negrita

Mixed Darwin Hybrids planted several years ago.


I love the purples mixed with the yellows.

Darwin Hybrid - Van Eijk Posted by Picasa

Tulips and Grape Hyacinths (Muscari) in the pale morning light.

Planted many years ago, these lovely reds are still going strong. Posted by Picasa

Posted by Picasa

My husband planted some tulips in his vegetable garden so that we could cut bouquets for church. These are kaufmanniana. They were the very first tulips to bloom.....early birds!

Darwin Hybrid - Oxford

Triumph - Negrita


Back to the flower gardens now......morning dew on a glorious pink bloom (click to enlarge for detail).

Afternoon light on this little group. Posted by Picasa

Spectacular color to finish the show!


Look who arrived yesterday! What a wonderful Mother's Day gift - the hummingbirds are back after 8 long months!
Spring days are very busy, with the gardens needing so much of my time, and the lawn growing an inch a day when we have a little rain (or so it seems). I'm sorry that I haven't been around to visit much lately. Hopefully I'll catch up with you all soon. You're in my thoughts and I'm anxious to see what you're up to! Thanks so much for your very welcome comments. Each one is very much appreciated.
I hope you're enjoying your gardens as much as I am! Posted by Picasa

27 comments:

Christy Woolum said...[Reply]

I appreciate tulips so much more this year after the long winter! Your pictures are just lovely.

Alice said...[Reply]

Beautiful tulips - your very own Floriade.

I love the pink with white fringe, but they are all so lovely.

Sounds like a perfect Mothers' Day for you, Kerri. You'll think of your son and family every time you look at that basket of petunias. Don't forget to share the pleasure with us, will you?

Jane O' said...[Reply]

I haven't seen any hummers in Michigan, but I'll be looking for them now. I have the feeders out, waiting for their return.

Kylee Baumle said...[Reply]

Wow, Kerri! What a great photo of the hummingbird! I've seen three so far here. I'm so glad they're back!

Jellyhead said...[Reply]

Oh, the tulips juxtaposed against the grape hyacinths makes a *breathtaking* photo! I have serious flower envy here ;-)

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

What a gorgeous selection of tulips you have Kerri. They are so cheerful. Having Hummingbirds and spiders showing up in the garden make you realize that summer is on its way despite the cooler weather.

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...[Reply]

For a moment there I thought I was visiting a Dutch blog with all those gorgeous tulips on display. But then I saw those rolling hills and that cute little hummingbird and thought nah, this can't be the Netherlands. ;-)

Susie said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
Your tulips are certainly blooming their little hearts out. What a beautiful sight to see!
Glad you enjoyed your Mother's Day and the trip to the nursery.
I know how much you welcomed that cute little hummingbird back to your garden!
Have a great week!
Love and ((hugs))

verobirdie said...[Reply]

You've got beautiful tulips! They are so gorgeous.
And you are blessed with humming birds, that so sweet!
Thanks for those beautiful pictures!

Cherdecor said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, I am so glad to see your tulips blooming but you are probably more excited after that long winter.
All of your tulip pictures are so pretty! I do like the grape hyacinth
with the tulips! That picture could win an award!

The picture of the little hummingbird is so cute! I want to get a picture of our little yellow gold finch, but they are just too fast! They are as quick as a flash!

I am glad that you had a call from your grandsons. Getting a call from our grandsons always makes our day, Huh?

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Lovely tulpis.
I especially love the photo with the old farm in the background.

Curmudgeon said...[Reply]

What a cute little hummer! Ours are back--not sure if they leave during the winter here. We have caught a few glances of them. And their favorite plant--the blue black sage--survived the winter and is growing strong. What gorgeous tulips you have.
--Curmudgeon

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...[Reply]

Lovely display! The weather has been a bit cool and I had a couple of surprise frosts - so much for trusting the weathermen. I haven't seen a hummer yet but I expect it won't be long if they've made it to your house. I'm hoping that the weather really turns around at Memorial Day.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I love those red, red tulips! They are so cheery and warm. Happy belated Mother's Day, Kerri!

Robin's Nesting Place said...[Reply]

A humming bird already? I have two feeders out and I haven't seen one yet. I've been looking forward to your spring bulb display. I guess I discovered your blog about this time last year and remembered your mass plantings of daffodils and tulips.

Next, I look forward to seeing your container plantings.

Needled Mom said...[Reply]

Your tulips are absolutely beautiful. Our climate is too warm for tulips unless you give them a good chill prior to planting. Guess that is why I always enjoy seeing them in others gardens.

Glad your little hummer is back. It must be so exciting to see their return to the garden.

Barbara said...[Reply]

There were only a few tulips in my garden and therefor I enjoy it so much to see the large amount of your ones. Isn't it a good feeling to cut flowers for bouquets and there remain still enough in the garden? The last tulips have gone here and the first roses come :-) !!

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...[Reply]

Stopping by to admire your stunning tulip garden. I am pleased to see this little humming bird guy, they look different than our honey birds. Take care, Kerri.

Amy said...[Reply]

Such lovely flowers. I really like the idea of planting some just for cutting - I've been dreaming of a cutting garden but that will have to wait until another year. I have to many projects on my mind as it is! My church meets in a school gymnasium. Maybe someday I'll have enough flowers to bring a bouquet :)

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

Oh my, Kerri! One doesn't expect to see so many tulips in a private garden - you'd put many municipal displays to shame. Whatever you're doing to make them love you and return for you must be working ;-]

The yellow and purple combination is especially lovely, and congratulations on the hummingbird's arrival for Mothers' Day.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Unknown said...[Reply]

Gorgeous tulips, Kerri... and I have to say that I love the new blog header, too!

Merle said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri ~~ Your tulips are beautiful and your photos show them so well. It is always so pleasant to visit here to see your lovely garden
Thanks for your comments and I am glad that your Mother's Day was pleasant and your Petunia Basket sounds good. Take care, my friend,
Love, Merle.

Cris said...[Reply]

Gorgeous tulips, the fringed ones are so special, I have never seen them here. Tulips are one of my favorite flowers, they bring me back sweet memories, the first time I saw a tulip coming out of the ground mixed with snow, it was sooo pretty. xoxox

Debbie said...[Reply]

Gorgeous tulips, Kerri! So many colors.

Our hummers returned last week. What a joy.

kylieps said...[Reply]

Love those grape hyacinths and tulips in the morning light- just breathtaking!

em said...[Reply]

That hummingbird is the cutest! We rarely see them here. I am envious of all of your tulips! One of my neighbors has her tulips in a cage! The deer here love tulips.

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...[Reply]

whoa!!! your tulips will beat Chicago downtown's collection hands down!!!! we were in Chi-downtown a few weekedns back and theme of the eyar beaing tulips, the whole downtown is ablaze with colors.......but honest, they dont have as many as you have here ...love them......may your garden and you always be this happy :)