Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Tulips Schmoolips
I'm going to say it, loud and clear, and let the chips fall where they may - I am not a fan of tulips. Why? Okay, I'll tell you why - since you ask ... all that stem topped off with a U-shaped flower is not what I find attractive in a blooming plant. My very favorite flower is the green calla lily Zantedschia 'Green Goddess'; I also adore Love Lies Bleeding, both green and red, and kangaroo paws always find their way into my vases. Tulips, never ... except right now. Every spring, I buy a bunch of tulips and allow them their moment in the center of my table. Usually, it is literally a moment - but I find myself liking these tulips, much to my surprise. They aren't a new, fancy hybrid, it's the same old tulip. I think I'm just appreciating the simple, straightforward quality of this flower - it's not trying to be anything other than an orange tulip. You can't say that about an orchid ... orchids have the weight of expectation on their delicate shoulders. I'm tired of seeing orchids everywhere. I want to walk into somebody's house and see a bouquet of blooming artichokes on their coffee table! But right now, these tulips are making me very happy...
What flowers are making you happy? New discoveries? The tried and true? I'd love to get a new idea or two...
Don't hate me, but I love tulips. Last year I was in Amsterdam during the tulip festival and you'd think I'd get over them, but nooooo. The fields of color were amazing. There, I said it.
What's more romantic than roses on a piano?
I couldn't be a hater, not over tulips ... and I might be converted after an experience like yours. After I posted this I realized that it's about quantity. I took 4 bunches of tulips and squished them into the vase - and I love how blowsy and generous they look. I'd always just bought a few tulips in the past (not being a big fan), and they seemed a little... lonely. Now I know the secret of tulips - massing!
I know it's odd, but for me, romance is a calla lily. It comes from one of my favorite movies of all time, 'Reds'. Whenever Jack Ryan would come home to Louise Bryant, he'd bring her an enormous bunch of callas wrapped in newspaper and string. I still think it's the most romantic thing ever.
I have also been bugged by the droopiness of tulips. Yes, massing is definitely one strategy... tons of one type of flower is always elegant. Here's another tip: place a penny in the vase of tulips, and something chemical happens to make them stand up straight!
Fascinating! I'm going to buy more tulips tonight to give this trick a try. The tulips I have now are definately droopy beyond remedy ... half the petals are on the table as I type this. Me buying more tulips during the season is unpresidented.
Finally - a use for pennies. Thanks, Blakek!
I don't bring the outside in all that much, but I recently cut back an abutilon with deep orange flowers, and the branches that had blooms on them were great arranged in a vase. The bark is very dark brown so it was a nice look. I guess branches in bloom are not that creative, but, eh.
I live in a city and crave nature constantly, so I always try to have cut flowers in the house. My absolute favorites are peonies, but they tend to be fickle and expensive. My two other favorites are ranunculas and cosmos.
I am not a big fan of tulips either, but I do like french tulips with their gorgeous ruffled edges.
Suasoria, branches in bloom are fantastic, and I think bringing in an abutilon is the epitome of creative thinking! I've grown them forever, but I've never tried one in a vase, I don't know why. But tomorrow, I'm cutting my 'Vesuvius Red' abutilon and copying you!
Dlgallian - I LOVE PEONIES! They are the most incredible flower ... and I might even love them in bud more - those tight, colorful globes ... but who can afford them? Sigh... every once in a while I'll go to the flower mart at 6am and splurge on a bunch. I can't wait until I am the Queen of Gardening Media and have peonies at my desk every day! ( Ag girl can dream...)