Traditional UK Planting: Tulips and Wallflowers

We have two raised beds that edge the patio. I have removed the dahlias to their winter quarters ready to plant the tulips, wallflower and for-get-me-nots I recognize it is an old-fashioned traditional planting Scheme here in the UK, but it works.

The tulips are a Darwin hybrid mix with a wallflower Persian mix which I have grown from seed. The FGMN are self-sown, they do this every year, I just transplant some into the positions I prefer rather than where they think they should be!

Now I need to cover the tulips with netting to prevent the Grey squirrels from digging them up to eat. They are now a registered pest here in the UK having been imported by the Victorians. Unfortunately, they carry a disease that they are immune to but sadly has almost wiped out our native red squirrel which has no such natural protection.

They have built a drey in next doors huge copper beech tree, you can just see it now some of the leaves have fallen, in two of these colourful autumn pictures.

Some more autumn colour from the Silver Birch.

Also the Ginkgo biloba now a stunning colour in the autumn sunshine.

Hopefully, I will have defeated the squirrels this year. I have not always managed to achieve this in previous years. Therefore, I have reduced the number of tulips I have planted. I purchased a mixed selection which retails at a lower price than named varieties in case of failure!

One of the joys of gardening is you are always looking forward to and planning for the the next season.

Some pictures of tulips from previous years to provide inspiration.