Category: Spring Bulbs

It’s Tulip time in Lousiana!

Spring Bulbs

My flower beds were a huge mess after the week of unseasonably cold and icy weather, but I enjoyed some beautiful tulips this past Sunday. Sometimes, you have to focus on the good things in life and do the work later! Then gardening can be rewarding and fun instead of drudgery.

Next week, I will be updating my progress as I continue to watch for emerging foliage. I am still clipping back the dead leaves of never before defoliated plants! I was worried about my ferns and crinum lilies because 19 degrees was close to what they can tolerate and survive. I will write again next week. Hopefully, more tulips, daffodils, and alliums will bloom. Stay tuned!

Check out this video of a very interesting tulip I found in a mix that has burgundy and red variegation. I love how this one stands out. I tried to find one like this online and have not found a match. I enjoy discovering a few neat varieties thrown in a mixed bag of tulips.

Guinevere Jumbo Perennial Tulips

I decided to try Guinevere Jumbo Perennial Tulips from Brecks and was not disappointed. They are really big flowers and so bright! I will share more pictures and videos later.

Guenivere Pink Jumbo Perennial Tulips
Guenivere Pink Jumbo Perennial Tulips
Guenivere Pink Jumbo Perennial Tulips

Photo Album of February Tulips Variegated and Long Stem Mix

  • Variegated leaf Tulip with red and white bloom
  • Variegated leaf Tulip with red and white bloom
  • Variegated Tulip in burgundy and red
  • Tree Frog sitting inside of a pink tulip
  • Tree Frog sitting inside of a pink tulip
  • Bouquet of pastel mix tulips pink and yellow
  • Variegated Red and White Tulip
  • Milkweed Assassin Bug
  • Bright Peach Tulip

How to Protect Tulip Buds From Frost

General gardening, Spring Bulbs

I worked way too hard on November 30th as I planted my spring bulbs in the rain. The second week of February, a snowstorm was in the forecast. In our case, it was more like an ice storm. The day before the icy precipitation struck on February 15th, I covered all my tender budding tulips with blankets and towels. I did lose one pretty red and white tulip that was blooming at the wrong time.

Budding tulips at this stage are vulnerable to frost damage

The next morning they were firmly encapsulated in ice blankets. If you watched the previous video, then you know what I am saying! I waited a day then uncovered the containers during the day after the temperatures were above freezing. I had to break the ice off of some of the covers. Then I went through the process of uncovering them in the morning as soon as the temperatures rose above freezing and then covering them again at night. Hopefully, the tulips will bloom beautifully in the next few weeks.