Fiery

Published on by Catherine

Six on Saturday

While I was away last weekend, the garden finally burst into glorious, vivid colour. I couldn’t get near it for the first few days due to high winds, rain and sleet. Finally, when it appeared as though the entire week was destined to be wild and wet, the sun arrived.

I normally resist photographing in sunshine because I prefer the results I get with overcast light, but sometimes you have to take what you get. The only day available to me this week was very sunny and windy, with only a few fleeting clouds hurrying by to soften the harsh, contrasty shadows that sunshine produces.

Tulip ‘Orca’. I’ve planted Orca many times over the years. It usually blooms first, aside from the species tulips, but this year it was a bit late. The flowers are big and hefty and don’t handle the elements as well as some other tulips, but I can’t resist its bold orange colour.

Tulip ‘Orca’

Pieris ‘Forest Flame’ When I planted this many years ago, I also planted Japanese Acer ‘Bloodgood’ close by. The Acer has now grown so large that the Pieris has been left in dappled shade. At this time of the year, its leaves are a standout feature and the shrub is completely visible while the Acer is beginning to unfurl its leaves. Soon it will disappear under the Acer’s canopy once again.

  • Pieris ‘Forest Flame’
  • Pieris ‘Forest Flame’

Fritillaria imperialis ‘Aurora’. Sadly, the Crown Imperials didn’t fare too well in the wind and the sleet. If the petals opened then I must have missed the show last weekend. After our stormy Tuesday weather, the flowers were looking rather limp.

Fritillaria imperialis ‘Aurora’

Tulip praestans ‘Shogun’ has been a revelation. I thought the weather would have finished them off, but later blooms and a few healthy survivors were enough to produce a lovely display. I love this tulip.

  • Tulip ‘Shogun’…
  • …with Forget-me-nots

Tulip ‘Ballerina’ opened a couple of weeks earlier than last year which is a bit inconvenient since none of the purples have bloomed with her. Backlit by the sun, the tulips create a fiery image. Over the next few days, I’ll attempt to take a few more shots in different lighting, because this year they appear to be more red than those I grew last year.

Backlit, Tulip ‘Ballerina’ takes on a fiery appearance.

Japanese Acer ‘Bloodgood’ The foliage of Acer ‘Bloodgood is a perfect candidate for backlighting. Here it is preparing its foliage to dazzle. Backlit in the strong sunlight, its leaves glow.

  • Emerging leaves of Acer ‘Bloodgood’
  • Acer ‘Bloodgood’

Our Six on Saturday host, Jim from Garden Ruminations will be providing seasonal photos and information from his garden, and there you’ll find links to other avid gardeners who are happy to share their photographs and knowledge.

The good news (for me!) is that this weekend, and for the next few days, here in my corner of the world we are to enjoy some glorious spring weather – no rain and light winds. Still cold, but I don’t mind that! If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me in the garden or greenhouse where I’ll be starting off the dahlias and hoping for a fabulous summer display.

Wherever you are this weekend, and during the coming week – enjoy your garden!

Catherine 😊

23 thoughts on “Fiery”

  1. Morning Catherine, this orange tulip ‘Orca’ is a very large tulip. Doesn’t it tend to bend and break in the wind? I have the similar tulip here which is the same shape, a little taller and orange-yellow. ( ‘Sunlover’) : with the weather we are having, I have losses…
    The other tulips are very pretty too and especially in number. It gives some very pretty photos, especially the one with the Forget me not behind them.

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    1. Morning, Fred. I haven’t had any T. ‘Orca’ stems break, and we’ve had some pretty fierce winds this year. The stems tend to be softer than some of the other tulips, and they do bend and flop into a dome shape that I like (nice contrast to the others). I’ll take a look at ‘Sunlover’. Did you have that last year, the name is familiar?

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  2. Wonderful colours. Tulip ‘Orca’ is a lovely soft orange. ‘Ballerina’ flowered earlier here too and I’d also added purple varieties to go with them – which haven’t flowered yet! Tulip praestans ‘Shogun’ sounds like a good one – if springs continue to be this wet and windy a good looking robust Tulip would be a great addition to the garden. Great photos.

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    1. Thanks, Graeme. This spring has been horrible. I hope it’s not going to be like this from now on. Perhaps it’s best to be prepared and I think more shorter tulips will have to replace some of the taller varieties over time. Hope your wind-free day lasts, it’s the same here and the sun has just arrived! 😎

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    1. Thank you, Pauline. I’m a bit disappointed that the purples & dark shades haven’t flowered yet. I don’t suppose tulips come with a ‘synchronised with’ guarantee though! 😁

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    1. Thank you, Gill, that’s kind of you to say so. I try with the photos and with the garden, but they don’t always work out as intended! If you get Orca at some future point, I hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Thank you. The acer should become more impressive when the leaves are fully open and backlit with the sun. I always enjoy seeing it like that.

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  8. What a fine trio of tulips Catherine! My ‘Ballerinas’ also have some purple companions but they are lagging behind in terms of opening. I noticed that Scotland seems to be getting the best of the weather when I watched the lunchtime weekly weather forecast so I hope you enjoy it. Like you I’ve been in the greenhouse starting off my dahlias 😂

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    1. I hope your dahlias are successful, Anna. Mine were poor last year. I had to move out of the greenhouse on Saturday as it was way too hut to work in, but then We had rain on Sunday. The sun is back again, though it’s still very chilly! 😎

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  9. Your photos are stunning – as always Catherine! Gorgeous tulips. The wind and rain has finished off lots of the early ones prematurely here. I love your Acers and would love one – if I can find the right spot for one that is! Hope you had a happy weekend pottering around in your garden. 😃

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    1. Thank you, Cathy. Sorry to hear the weather has taken its toll on your tulips. I hope you still have later varieties to enjoy. I had a lovely Saturday, warm for April with lots of sun. A blip on Sunday brought rain, but so far 🤞🏻this week’s been good. Hope it’s the same for you! Enjoy the rest of the week.

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