Illusions Destroyed

Gardeners by their very natures are risk takers. Not to the level that a farmer is, as no livelihood is at stake, but gardeners risk failure at every planting and this is mine. I planted tulip bulbs too late in the season, December if I remember it correctly. Taking a photo to document the planting, I kept hoping that enough fertilizer (bone meal) and water would make up for the lack of time these bulbs would have to form strong roots. It didn't. I kept telling myself that since these were late season bulbs, they'd have some time to develop, but not enough time evidently as you can see by the spindly flowers that resulted. Our early February heat may have confused their timing.

Blushing Lady is the peach and yellow tulip with pointed petals. It was deformed in an other worldly way and I only hope it can survive until next year. The yellow tulip lasted such a short period of time, I barely remember it, and have completely forgotten its name. No matter, I only planted it because it was packed with the Blushing Lady. They both bloomed in early March ahead of schedule and were met with southerly winds that battered them about. My only saving grace for this bed was the fact that the daffodils were late to bloom and are now making an appearance to help me through this otherwise disappointing experience.