linking up with texture tuesday!
so i was pretty proud of myself…last fall i bought my tulips bulbs in the fall (as opposed to digging through the leftovers after christmas) and got them in the ground right on time. not after the ground had frozen like the artic tundra like i usually do. and this particular year (or last. or whatever – you know what i mean) i bought all yellow tulips. to go with my all purple pansies. because i really like that look of big, bold swaths of all the same color.
anyway, so for the past few weeks i’ve been watching in anticipation. waiting for my tulips to bloom. and they have and oh my gosh i am completely obsessed. they are just the prettiest yellow.
for me, there is something about tulips…maybe it’s their graceful petals or simple shape…i’m not sure. whatever it is, over the course of the past week i’ve probably taken at least 437 pictures of them.
but then something funny happened. a few of them opened up a little later and when they did, i was surprised to see that some of their petals were streaked with this gorgeous coraly-red.
i’m assuming it just grew that way from the bulb, because i don’t really have any red tulips, save for a few volunteers out in the front yard that the previous owner planted and that keep popping up and that i don’t have the heart to take out.
the thing is, i just love happy surprises in the garden like this.
and it’s one of the things i love about nature…the endless variety, the diversity, the joy the whimsy. 
and even though these aren’t exactly what i planned, i’m finding that what makes them different, what sets them apart, what makes them unique…that is what i love. and that’s something to celebrate.
as always, nature is the best teacher.
love, kelly
Love your tulips – I really need to try growing some.
Oh, what vibrant, gorgeous yellow! These must make you smile. Good job on the planting. And what beautiful, clear photos!
Kelly these are beautiful shots. I agree that the bright yellow is stunning…I can only imagine how they look with the pansies. Do any of your neighbours have the yellow/coral streaked tulips? I wonder if you’ve had so squirrel assistance in the garden. I have a couple of tulips in my garden that match my neighbours perfectly (and I didn’t plant that colour). Our theory is that the squirrels had a tulip bulb relocation program in progress. :o)
Love the one that dared to be different. They are all beautiful, though. Very celebratory.
Oh, these are beautiful! I love the one that’s different! Such a brave little guy to stand tall and be different! I’ve never had any luck with tulips. I get the green, but not the flower! Therefore, I’ll just enjoy yours!
What a beautiful surprise! And all so worth celebrating. Happy yellow tulip day!
Oh, what pretty surprises you found! I have a little garden that is very much like your tulips, in that I let the birds more or less plant the flowers there (we have a bird feeder in the middle of this spot). Usually it’s sunflowers and 4 o’clocks, but last year petunias appeared out of no where and this year I have another mystery plant sprouting up. Spring is always so much fun!
Oh! I love garden surprises! We’ve had tulips hybridize, such fun. Sometimes we can figure it out, most times not. We have two different red tulip “couples” not anywhere near their family. We’re guessing the squirrels carried them and buried them. My husband wants to move them back but I kind of like them where they are! Your photos are heavenly, great perspective.
Love your little cloud with text. The tulips are magnificent.
Lovely photos.
Earl
So beautiful and love the message. 🙂