TIP TOE THROUGH THE TULIPS

It’s autumn – my FAVORITE (and I mean FAVORITE) time of year.  Yes, I like autumn more than even summer when my garden is in full bloom.  Walking through Monument Valley Park or Garden of the Gods while crunching orange, red and yellow leaves beneath my boots, with just a pinch of coolness in the air – sipping hot cinnamon spice tea while eating a slice of homemade pumpkin bread (did this just last night!) – enjoying a fire in the fireplace in the evening – lighting candles again because the days are getting shorter and you can actually enjoy the warm flickering flames – and watching my garden prepare for a long winter’s sleep.  Oh.  And tulip bulb planting - yes, tulip bulb planting!

Well, it’s been a bit of a challenge to get the bulbs in this year but I was finally able to do so this past weekend.  I also planted a few bulbs at Genny’s house, with the help of my little gardening buddy, Hannah.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Hannah likes to garden and am hoping this is not just a phase she is going through.  In fact, I am looking forward to years of gardening with this precious granddaughter of mine.

When gardening with Hannah, I try to incorporate lessons, like reading the instructions before placing the bulb in the ground.

I ordered these bulbs from an Old World Gardening house and had a few delivered to my other gardening buddy, my niece Christie.  These are heirloom bulbs, most of which are progenies of the late 1800 and early 1900 Victorian Gardens, although some bulbs harken back to the 16^th Century.   I ordered one rare bulb (and I mean just one because it was kind of expensive) that is a 1780 progeny.  It is a Dutch Bizarre from the Hortus Bulborum, and if it comes to life next spring, it will have a swirl of dark chocolate brown petals.  In Colorado, I always use the word “if” with tulips because a spring blizzard can take out everything.   I also planted Black Parrot, Irene Copeland, and Florentine (dates to 1597) bulbs. 

Along with the tulips I planted hyacinth, narcissus, daffodil, and peony.  Just in time before the snow is predicted to hit on Weds.

And with the snow, there goes autumn in Colorado.  The trees will be stripped of their leaves and left bare.  Fall is such a short, brief, beautiful season here.  Ahhh . . . but I like winter, too, because along comes Thanksgiving and Christmas, snow encrusted branches, Jack Frost, homemade potato soup and corn muffins.  There is always something to appreciate in every season, isn’t there?  We grow where we are planted . . . and sometimes, where we are transplanted.