AS we trudge on through March, I do all kinds of things to help me cope while others are celebrating spring's arrival. Yesterday, a bunch of tulips in the grocery store caught my eye, and climbed into my cart. Who was I to argue?
I divided them into two vases and put some in the kitchen (warmest room in the house) and some in my office (coolest room). It doesn't take long for them to respond to the temperatures.
These are parrot tulips, called Libretto Parrot. I hadn't seen them before, and normally I go for the more flamboyant parrots. But I liked the subtle freshness of these. A woman who used to work for the Bulb Information Centre told me that she thought parrots look like technicolour lettuces. I see her point.
At first, tulips in a vase splay every which way, but this morning the office tulips, still more closed than the kitchen vase, stood up pertly and offered their petals for inspection.
I explained to the kitties that these tulips had frilled edges to their petals, but I didn't want to see teethmark 'frills'. They've been very good and left them alone.
Even though the natural light wasn't perfect, I didn't want to use my flash to explore the tulips subtle beauties. Their petals are so lustrous, translucent and light-holding, and the secrets in their hearts make me smile and smile. (I was too lazy to go out to my camera bag in the car trunk and get the macro lens this morning. Maybe tomorrow).
Gazing into these perfect petals, I am sure that spring will eventually find its way to us, even to my high windy hill.
AS we trudge on through March, I do all kinds of things to help me cope while others are celebrating spring's arrival. Yesterday, a bunch of tulips in the grocery store caught my eye, and climbed into my cart. Who was I to argue?
I divided them into two vases and put some in the kitchen (warmest room in the house) and some in my office (coolest room). It doesn't take long for them to respond to the temperatures. 
These are parrot tulips, called Libretto Parrot. I hadn't seen them before, and normally I go for the more flamboyant parrots. But I liked the subtle freshness of these. A woman who used to work for the Bulb Information Centre told me that she thought parrots look like technicolour lettuces. I see her point. 
At first, tulips in a vase splay every which way, but this morning the office tulips, still more closed than the kitchen vase, stood up pertly and offered their petals for inspection. 
I explained to the kitties that these tulips had frilled edges to their petals, but I didn't want to see teethmark 'frills'. They've been very good and left them alone. 
Even though the natural light wasn't perfect, I didn't want to use my flash to explore the tulips subtle beauties. Their petals are so lustrous, translucent and light-holding, and the secrets in their hearts make me smile and smile. (I was too lazy to go out to my camera bag in the car trunk and get the macro lens this morning. Maybe tomorrow). 
Gazing into these perfect petals, I am sure that spring will eventually find its way to us, even to my high windy hill.
As a lover of actual parrots (such as my yellow-naped Amazon Plutarch the Parrot), I of course have a wekaness for parrot tulips as well. Thanks for the lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteIt's very spring-like outside today, jodi -- one can almost believe that Spring is truly just around the point. :)
ReplyDeleteYour parrots are beautiful -- I still snicker when I think of those I bought last spring, thinking there was something wrong with them...I believe I even called them "mutant" until I learned differently -- heehee! I love the soft colour of these ones.
This is a great way to enjoy Tulips. I don't grow Parrots not because I don't like them, but because we always seem to get hot weather just when they're opening & they get cooked. I should look for cut ones for inside. BTW, I love that 1st vase.
ReplyDeleteJodi, They are beautiful...I like their subtle coloring and the frilly edges...free of toothmarks. The boys and girls are behaving nicely! The vase caught my eye almost immediately.
ReplyDeleteYou asked about my camera~I dropped it when I fell on my bottom on the concrete steps. This is the only time I have ever purchased an insurance policy to cover any kind of damage! I recommend one for all digital users. Gail
I especially like the delicate colors for floral arrangements in inside light.
ReplyDeleteDonna
I fell in love with parrot tulips a few years ago when I purchased some for my garden. I just love all the frills around the petals.
ReplyDeleteI love your tulip photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat good kitties to leave the parrots alone :)
Your kitties left them alone? Really? Oh my, they are very good Gardening Cats...
ReplyDeleteI've never grown parrots but seeing these I am thinking that maybe I should. Hang in there, Spring is surely on it's way to you!
Hi Jodi, they are so beautiful, fabulous colours and I love those frilled edges!
ReplyDeleteI just threw out my 'parrots' they were deep red and green.
Take care/ Tyra
Jodi, your parrot tulips are just gorgeous. The colors in them are definitely spring.
ReplyDeleteI happen to love those soft muted colors....the first I've seen on a Parrot tulip. My tulips are up and growing, but it will be awhile before I see any color. Thanks for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNow you're talking my talk, dear jodi. I adore parrot tulips (almost all tulips) and yours are delightful. Don't know if you remember but I suffer from a huge case of tulipmania when mine begin blooming! Almost 60 today ... Yipeee ... and I'm sending it your way!
ReplyDeleteI would of let them jump in my cart too Jodi! ;) They have such a nice color & texture to their petals.
ReplyDeletestunning! I purchased black parrot last fall. Can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jodi~~ "Lustrous" the perfect adjective for these lovelies. They remind me of the brush strokes of Victorian painters.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're still plagued with winter but you obviously have some great tricks up your sleeve. :)
Jodi, I don't know if I agree that the parrot tulips look like lettuce but I think they look good enough to eat.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos, especially the last one with the dark background. It gives the impression of a Dutch master painting. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteYou must have some very well behaved kitties! I've never known them to listen so well. They must know how pretty your tulips are, and that's why they left them alone. It's funny, but flowers and plants are always jumping into my cart at the store too.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pics! I especially like the last one.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I have grown the White, and Black Parrots. They do not return well, so i happy to treat them as annuals. Tulips are amazing. They are right up there in my top 3 of must-haves in the garden.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE parrot tulips! This Libretto is just fabulous. It reminds me of sherbet. I especially love the next-to-last photo.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me wish I'd planted some last fall. Note to self for this fall: Plant parrot tulips. More fringed ones, too. :-)
I don't usually plant parrot tulips, but these are lovely. I know you like the flamboyant ones, but I'm a sucker for pastels.
ReplyDeleteSpring WILL come, Jodi, but I'm getting just as antsy as you.
Those are such stunning photos. I love the light through the petals. But I do have one question. When you tell your cats to leave those flowers alone, do they listen?
ReplyDeleteOh how pretty! Nothing can cheer up a home like cut flowers!--Randy
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely. I must plant more tulips next year. We have to treat them as annuals here so that deters me a little. But I do love them.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful. Love the subtle color blends. I have a similar one outside. Surprisingly it has come back to bloom for several years. We'll see if it returns this spring.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Hi Jodi...what beautiful flowers for this beautiful late winter day. I'm going to search for them since I live in your district. Thanks for sharing them with us!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking tulips, hang on Jodi spring is coming, it pass by here a couple of weeks ago and now we are full summer mode
ReplyDeleteWonderful parrot tulips, such subtle colors and forms that you captured so well.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.twitter.com/terragarden
Sounds like you found a wonderful diversion in the grocery store!
ReplyDeleteThe pastel, muted shades are very spring-like. I hope your kitties don't get the wrong idea and think they are actual parrots...then you'll have 'feathers' everywhere!
I wait all winter for the doubles, and the parrot tulips to come out for sale. It almost makes it worthwhile trudging through the snow.
ReplyDeleteJen
Jodi, I don't know how I missed seeing this. These tulips are beautiful and your photos are stunning. You were smart to bring those beauties into your home.
ReplyDeleteThose soft pastels whisper spring :) The parrot tulips are just the thing to reassure you that the warmer weather is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blend of colours they are.
Thanks for sharing these lovely photos, Jodi :)