Every autumn we plant the tulip bulbs that weren't sold in our shop. In Spring we use them as cut flowers and I think: "Silly people - if they had bought these they would have these beautiful flowers now". They really are one of the prettiest, easist and most joyous flowers around: just as good in messy, informal gardens as they are smart city gardens. Some of them, such as the fabulous yellow-orange 'Ballerina' come back year after year and bloom in our garden in long grass: a great way to hide the messy foliage. All tulips make the most fabulous cut flowers.
