I have been able to spend more time in the garden, two days of dry weather was a long weekend bonus that was much appreciated. The chance to get close up to the borders was revelatory. I have reported tête-à-tête losses, followed by thalia. Now I add the buds of iris germanica, new shoots of delphiniums, holes in hellebores and anemone leaves, and, foolishly, freshly planted rocket seedlings. It’s enough to make you weep. I can say that the weeding that was accomplished revealed several of the culprits but I fear they are lurking everywhere. There have been one or two nibbles of tulips but it is these delights that feature this week. There’s also a bonus photo at the end, I need some help with identification and wonder if anyone or our esteemed host Jim can help out?
One
The bulb lasagne pots are just coming through. First to flower are ‘Finola’, a double pink and ‘Graceland’, a pinky white. There are two more varieties to follow.
Two
The yellow ‘World Friendship’ is just being joined by a creamy yellow triumph tulip ‘Nicholas Heyek’ and ‘White Triumphator’, a lily flowered tulip.
Three
The early flowering ‘Purissima’ have reached their going over point, speeded up no doubt by heavy rain and gusty winds. Definitely a sprawl of tulips now.
Four
These are the remains of a long border of tulips planted several years ago. Originally a mix of ‘Shirley’. ‘Queen of Night’, ‘Barcelona’ and ‘Violet Beauty’, only the first two remain, and the quantities are much diminished.
Five
A random collection of unknown tulips, a mix that came free with a bulb order some years ago. These are regular returners.
Six
This mix lines one of the veg beds. The first to come through and my favourite is the deep red which I believe is ‘Sarah Raven’.
I have more weeding to do and weeding of wet clay soil is no easy task. The onion sets I planted out in modules have sprung to life, as have seeds of echium ‘Blue Bedder’ (free with a magazine), basil, lettuce and my very late planted tomatoes. I did plant out the potatoes and they had a good watering in soon after. Storm Kathleen arrives later today but I hope to sow more seeds before that event. Wishing you a good gardening weekend, slugs and all!
Bonus Photo: If anyone can id this seedling I would be very grateful – Fred has suggested Camellia, What do you think Jim? I have several popping up in the garden.
n20gardener 
Well it’s not the pesky Sycamore! Hazel? Just thinking about what garden (pests) squirrels may have planted for you.
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It is a mystery. Endless pulling of sycamores continues!
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Actually forget Hazel, the leaves are wrong. A puzzle indeed. Could it be a common Alder?
I’m sure there are more sycamore this year than any other! Yesterday I walked down a road and a couple of the front gardens were awash with the seedlings. My fingers itched to pull them out!
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lol. I know how you feel about sycamore seedlings. As if we didn’t have enough of our own to deal with. I think 🤔 leaves also wrong for alder. There are a couple of votes for camellia. I really don’t know!!
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I think I’ve found the culprit. Seedling is most probably cherry laurel and my neighbour’s plant overhangs my garden !
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Beautiful display of tulips with grand colors and such a variety of shapes. I am sorry about the pests.
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Oh how I try to live with them 😄
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Hello, here is a Six special tulips! I like the #1 and #5 mix. (You will be able to modify , it is the storm Kathleen and not Katherine 😉)
Basil seedlings already?! Ooh ! I’m late ! 😅 Go!…
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You are right about Kathleen! I woke up in the night and thought I’d got that wrong!
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Beautiful tulips, Finola is a real charmer! Ugh on the slugs.
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Yes Finola is new for me and I like it.
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Sigh! I’m not enjoying my garden yet. Every time I go out (in between showers) I find more devastation. What I would give for two days of dry weather – we are lucky to get two hours. Your tulips are a delight to see. Mine are currently being thrashed around in the wind and rain. Again. But I remain optimistic that the sun will return… it has to? Doesn’t it? 😬
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Oh yes it will. Every time I catch a glimpse I’m encouraged. And the garden is slowly emerging. More gusts today but hoping to be out again today.
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A lovely selection of Tulips. I’m definitely converted to the double varieties now.
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The doubles are luxurious and I enjoy the purity of a triumph type. One of my favourite flowers.
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Yep, I’m converted.
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Yes, it looks like a Camellia of some sort.
‘Sarah Raven’ is rad! I do not grow tulips because they are not reliably perennial here. They are tempting though, I may get some simple species in the future.
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Wow I’m amazed about it being a camellia seedling. I’ll take care of it! Tulips would be perfect if they were perennial but I still love them.
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Because most garden cultivars of Camellia are so extensively hybridized, they do not generate many viable seed. However, they occasionally do.
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It has been decided that it’s Cherry Laurel! Which makes a lot more sense. I realised that my neighbour has one and it overhangs our garden, sending seeds in every direction! I’ve been busy pulling them out now!
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Oh, of course. They more commonly disperse viable seed.
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Keep the faith, my friend, you will have your victories soon, I’m sure. Lovely tulips, I especially love the unnamed lily flowered orange.
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I’m feeling better already. The sun came out!!!
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What a treat to see such lovely Tulips! 🌷 Yours seem to last for so many years, I can only get a few years out of my potted ones, if I’m lucky!
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Thank you, I’m growing in pots for the first time this year. Two pots. The rest are in the ground. I am hoping to over winter the bulbs from the pots and try again next year. We shall see!
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Beautiful Tulips. I wonder if we’ll manage to get on top of the slimy beasts this year
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I don’t think so. I had a brief moment of acceptance and then I realised my asparagus had not come through because the slimey ones were eating it! This is the first year I can pick and I wonder if I will get to see any.
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