Neighbours talking over the garden gate has long been a tradition. They share gardening tips, complain about the weather and pests yet are ever eager to discuss their gardens. That is what I had in mind when creating this blog. So stop by my garden gate to find out the latest happenings in my garden.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
"All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child." ~ Madame Marie Curie"

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Tulipa tarda


Tulipa tarda
March 26, 2009

The mystery plant has been identified! Thanks so much to those who commented on the previous post as well those who helped through email and Twitter. I appreciate your help very much in identifying this plant.

It is Tulipa tarda a dwarf tulip species. It is a member of the lily family (Liliaceae). These tulips are planted in clumps along with daylilies to protect them from the local rabbit population. Unfortunately, mice and rabbits enjoy munching on tulips! They certainly took their toll on my tulips this year resulting in what I thought were no tulips at all, a marked contrast from last year's tulip display. Our neighbours also complained about their meager tulip display but at least they had a couple. Finally I spotted two very pretty white with pale pink smears, double bloom tulips (to yet be identified) peaking out of a clump of daylilies. These had the familiar tulip stems and leaves. A couple of days later the pretty yellow flowers appeared. The quest was on to discovering what this plant was. I'll discuss how to identify unknown plants in the next post.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2009


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