Haven’t the spring bulbs been gorgeous this year. They seem to have loved the cold April temperatures. March was mild and brought them into flower early. Then the cold weather and lack of rain made them last for weeks.
This is Leucocoryne ixiodes purpurea -or purple glory-of-the-sun. originating from Chile, these are bulbous perennials with grassy foliage and umbels of star-like purple, white or blue flowers in spring. The flowers are 2.5cm across and scented. Plant 10cm deep in very well drained soil, or in containers with lots of sharp sand.
And the tulips have had the longest flowering time I can ever remember.
Have the bulbs done well in your garden this year?
Bramble Garden 
Love your photos, such beautiful flowers!! 💕
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Thank you! Xx
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hello karen gimson its dennis the vizsla dog hay those ar all verry pritty flowers espeshly those first wuns they luk like candy!!! mmm candy!!! ok bye
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Thank you 🙂
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The tulips have been very good this year. What is the beauty in the blog?
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Hi Brian, the pink tulip is Angelique. The stripy one is an unknown variety of fringed tulip. Probably has a virus which caused the stripes. Should have been just purple. All the best. Karen x
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I had some purple ones go like that this year. Historically people have bankrupt them selves for tulips like that.
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Love the Leucocoryne, not one I have seen before, and of course the tulips are wonderful!
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Thanks Gill. I’ve just spotted a packet of white leucocoryne at the local garden centre. Just waiting for them to go to half price before buying 🙂
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I got a bargain iris yesterday, called Night Edition, reduced from £4 to £1.20 I think. Bargain! 🙂
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Yay! So love a bargain 🙂 x
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Yes, the bulbs have been amazing in my garden this year; the cool weather in April meant that the late flowering ones last much longer than usual,
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Lovely, Christina. Some years the bulbs seem such an indulgence because they are so fleeting. But I have to grow them as a splash of colour at the end of winter. Something to look forward to after the grey skies and cold. This year, I feel like have had my money’s worth. I’m currently planting rows of butterfly gladioli for summer to add to the cut flowers for MIL. Have a lovely weekend, and thanks for reading and getting in touch x
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Your tulips are divine, our show of tulips have mostly been good apart from T ‘China town’ and ‘Angelique’ that were in a pot by my back door. They produced leaves then the promise of flowers then the whole lot shrivelled up into a dried mess!? I’m so disappointed as last year they were amazing. Have a great weekend Karen x
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Oh dear. That’s such a shame. We had some like that last year. They grew to flowering size and then just wilted away. They had something called Arabis mosaic virus. There are 12 viruses tulips can get, apparently. I’m buying from http://www.peternyssen.com/our-shop/autumn-planting/tulips.html in future. Many friends have recommended them for top size bulbs, so I shall be shopping there this year. Good luck with yours too. Thanks for reading and getting in touch. All the best. Karen x
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We’ve had a cool spring here in Victoria, BC as well, and I’ve enjoyed it, especially the persistence of bulbs. Also the lilacs, which have been perfuming the scene for weeks.
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The lilacs have been really lovely this year haven’t they. I’ve got a tree in my garden that came from a shoot from my Welsh grandmother’s garden. Such a lovely reminder of wonderful, kind woman. Glad you are enjoying your garden too Audrey. Thanks for getting in touch x
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Terrific photos!! Because of our mild winter many things bloomed earlier than usual. It seems like so long ago that the tulips and daffodils were blooming. Azaleas and lilacs are finished too, but I am eagerly awaiting the peonies 🙂
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Oh Carol, the peonies have been fantastic this year. I’m just thinking of posting some photos, they have lasted for much longer than usual. In fact, I will now. You have inspired me! Thanks for reading and getting in touch. Enjoy your peonies too 🙂 x
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Can’t wait to see your photos!
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We joked that the tulip petals seemed glued on this year, as they had lasted so long. There are some compensations for a fickle spring!
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The bluebells in particular just seemed to go into suspended animation. Some compensation for the terrible icy wind ( now departed, thankfully).
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