long-awaited

the shoots that i shot a few weeks back have finally decided to turn into tulips - and why not, it's only 20 may, about six weeks after i expected to see them. which is fine, considering the winter we've had (they stood out all winter, sheltered only by being under a bench, no greenhouse). what's disconcerting is that some strawberry plants have got flowers on already... going to be an odd year for gardening, i think!

anyway, these glories are called blue parrot, tho are more mauve parrot really. they're in a pot with some dark, dark purple ones called queen of the night, but the striking effect has been slightly spoiled by various stems keeling over instead of being ramrod straight. oh well.