Cafe Noir and Islands in the Sun

I could never grow tulips in Connecticut. Squirrels and voles dug the bulbs up, soggy winters rotted them, and deer ate any that, despite all odds, actually emerged in spring. But here, in dry sandy Santa Fe soil, in a protected, fenced courtyard with no bulb eaters around, I think I can get tulips to come up.

This fall I planted 40 bulbs -- 10 of a deep wine purple variety called 'Cafe Noir' and 30 of a warm color mix called 'Islands in the Sun' which has a few clear whites in there too.

'Cafe Noir'

'Islands in the Sun'

I mixed them all together in a short, narrow strip right up against the garage wall. They are planted among some random rocks that are behind a row of fragrant sumacs (Rhus aromatica). Right now the sumacs are showing their fall color in strange and variable shades.

In early spring, though, the sumacs will be leafless and they are very late to leaf out, not until late May. So the plan is to have the tulips have their day all along this garage wall strip without being hidden by anything else.

Then, later in spring when the tulip foliage dies back and looks ratty, the sumacs will be coming into full leaf, and will hide the decaying foliage.

I think the plan is brilliant, and I think the tulip colors will be brilliant and it's all going to work out. For the first time ever . . .

       I think I can grow tulips.