Good morning, Brit, Usually the first year tulips always flower. After that you just have to cross your fingers. I also get many that have leaves only and (sorry to say), they may never flower again. Tulip bulbs go down hill each year. The blooms get smaller and they are shorter. Some people (those with mucho bucks) buy new tulips every year just to get a guaranteed show. Your friend is correct with perennials though. The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they LEAP! Patience is a definate virtue for gardeners!
Your tulips are lovely! I swear the lady across the street here has had the same ones for all the years that we've lived here. If I ever talk to her again (she got made because I called the fire marshall on her for burning and leaving the fire unattended), I'll ask her how she keeps them blooming. Can't you dig them up too and replant them? I'm going to try that. I have some that are under the eaves of the house where they don't get a lot of rain and they look great! As for keeping the deer away-you may have to plant things they don't like to nibble. Also, go to the hairdresser and ask her to save hair for you instead of using old shoes.
Hi Dianne, I have already tried the hair thing, I've put out bars of soap, I've mixed up some concoction of eggs, oil, water and hot sauce and sprayed it on (that was for lillies--evidently I used too much sauce--nothing ate them, but the buds dried up and fell off). There really is NOTHING that works, except to put up a very high fence. My MIL also has some tulips that she has had for many years. When I asked her, she said the older varieties were much better in the return bloom area.
I appreciate you taking the time and effort to leave a comment. I will try to answer any questions you have. Please note due to Blogger changing word verification so almost nobody can read it, I have had to change to no word verification and only allow registered users to comment.
I am so glad you stopped by to visit my garden. I garden in lower northern Michigan (zone 5) in far less than ideal conditions. I have too many pine trees, too much shade, too many rocks, herds of hosta-munching deer and rabbits who think my lilly buds are gourmet appetizers. I am by no means an expert in horticulture or garden design--just an amateur with a shovel and a passion. My garden changes daily during the summer and I will be updating frequently.
During the winter months, I blog about my favorite cold-weather hobby--quilting and just my everyday musings.
I hope you enjoy your visit, and that you will come back soon.
Let the Basting Begin!
-
I am using my dining room table to baste this big one -- it's about 105 x
105 inches (king size).
It's been a while since I've finished one this big.
Working on a Which Witch Halloween Dinner Table
-
After a couple of years, I finally finished my paper-pieced (a quilting
technique) chair covers.
I think they go nicely with the witch hat I bought last yea...
Pineapple Cream Cake - Flashback Friday
-
Pineapple Cream Cake which I first posted back in December of 2008 is worth
posting again.
It's quick to make, is light and delicious and keeps well in...
Our 2nd annual trip to Mark Twain State Park
-
We just returned from our 2nd annual camping trip to Mark Twain State park
campground with our friends Terry and Debby.
The trees were absolutely beauti...
September Inspiration Excursion
-
Bright and early last Thursday morning we packed our suitcases into Joel's
truck and set off to view the Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 steam
locomot...
Summer in the Hills
-
It has certainly been ages since my last posting.
Trying to get over some deaths and all that goes with since my last posting
and it all takes a while. Aft...
-
We are still freezing here in Texas....
wind chill was 9 this morning...
we got up to a whopping 34 today....
going to be in the 60's this weekend...
can'...
What is blogging again?
-
I’m a bit embarrassed as I take the easy way out with Facebook and
Instragram. I miss many of my blogger pals. I’d say they aren’t blogging
much either. I ...
“On that which is well built…”
-
Even though my grandfather David Augustus passed away when I was three
weeks shy of my sixth birthday, I’ve always felt a particularly strong
affinity with...
Late Bloomers
-
For many years I gave up the garden after July, seemed like everything had
bloomed within a month's time. I have worked for the past several years to
chang...
Safely In the Arms of Jesus
-
Hello all,
My lovely wife Patrica J. Cerasa, lost her fight with ovarian cancer at
12:34 PM yesterday and went safely to the arms of Jesus and all of those ...
Friday's Ramdon 5
-
I have really been having a hard time getting motivated. This winter has
had so many cold, cloudy, dreary days. We haven't even had much snow to
pretty ...
Good morning, Brit,
ReplyDeleteUsually the first year tulips always flower. After that you just have to cross your fingers. I also get many that have leaves only and (sorry to say), they may never flower again. Tulip bulbs go down hill each year. The blooms get smaller and they are shorter. Some people (those with mucho bucks) buy new tulips every year just to get a guaranteed show. Your friend is correct with perennials though. The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they LEAP! Patience is a definate virtue for gardeners!
Your tulips are lovely! I swear the lady across the street here has had the same ones for all the years that we've lived here. If I ever talk to her again (she got made because I called the fire marshall on her for burning and leaving the fire unattended), I'll ask her how she keeps them blooming. Can't you dig them up too and replant them? I'm going to try that. I have some that are under the eaves of the house where they don't get a lot of rain and they look great!
ReplyDeleteAs for keeping the deer away-you may have to plant things they don't like to nibble. Also, go to the hairdresser and ask her to save hair for you instead of using old shoes.
Hi Dianne, I have already tried the hair thing, I've put out bars of soap, I've mixed up some concoction of eggs, oil, water and hot sauce and sprayed it on (that was for lillies--evidently I used too much sauce--nothing ate them, but the buds dried up and fell off). There really is NOTHING that works, except to put up a very high fence. My MIL also has some tulips that she has had for many years. When I asked her, she said the older varieties were much better in the return bloom area.
ReplyDelete