I donned the new tweed jacket this chilly Autumn afternoon to pop to the allotment, I had a special load in my basket that I needed to store over the shed and if I’m honest I quite fancied a little escape to the plot.
Whilst we were selling at Toby’s Garden Fest in Forde Abbey last weekend I happened to come across this bulb company called ‘Pheasant Acre Plants’ on the way to the toilets. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted my all time favourite tulip bulb ‘La Belle Epoque’ staring back at me and I just had to go and investigate! 20 minutes later I returned back to our stall (and a rather disgruntled Dad who was manning it by himself!) with 6 paper bags full of bulbs… I was a very happy bunny!
If you don’t quite remember I emptied my trough of tulip bulbs after they had died back this Summer. The bulbs needed replacing and I had plans to purchase more from Sarah Raven after flicking through the catalogue and falling in love with the collections. However, the trough can fit 90 tulip bulbs inside and this would work out rather expensive if I ordered from Sarah Raven… So when I saw these tulip bulbs for the price of 10 for £4.00 and 25 for £8.00 I couldn’t walk away could I?
I’ve chosen 10 ‘La Belle Epoque’, 10 ‘Spring Green’, 5 ‘Queen of the Night’, 5 ‘Ice Cream’ and 5 ‘Brownie’ tulips. Most of these are double blooming which I just love and the majority are ones I’ve grown before but just adore. It’s not until I consulted my allotment notebook that I realised I needed more… Which just means I’ll be adding more of the ones I’ve already mentioned above and also choosing 2 more different varieties too. A single row of four tulips fit width ways in the trough so I’ll be planting two rows of most varieties and planting 4 rows of my favourites. I also purchased 10 Narcissus bulbs called ‘Cheerfulness’ and a bag of crocus bulbs called ‘Firefly’ to plant in a pot lasagne style. I did this last year, a little late mind you, but the results were beautiful and I’m excited to try again this Autumn.
So now I have a plan I just need to find the time to go off and hunt down the same stand at the Malvern Autumn Show this weekend. They’ve already said they will be selling there and I can’t wait to buy more bulbs ready for planting out in November. The tulip trough is going to look stunning and I’m so excited to see it bloom, one of my favourite areas on plot 15c.
4 thoughts on “Tulips and Tweed”
Nice! It looks like an Harris tweed. I owned one once upon a time before I “outgrew” it. You cut a dashing figure in it. I’m already looking forward to the results of your planting in the Spring.
I’ve always wanted a tweed jacket, they seem to go with everything and it was nice and warm to wear. I’m so excited to start planning for next year, my favourite thing to do!
The jacket looks so ‘Autumal’ and classic, lovely photo. The Belle Epoque were a bargain! been trawling through online, many sold out but at last found a supplier with slightly less postage too. Left my Sara Raven free postage offer too late and I think she has also sold out. Anyway Katie, thanks so much for showing the beautiful Belle…I have not seen them before. Hopefully in the spring I shall have a cluster and think of Lavender and leeks.
Now a HUGE congrats for your magazine debut…MUST go out and find a copy in Hexham, bet the sales have gone up for November! I just know there is a book there Katie, you have worked so hard too, even thinking of all your followers on a day to various shows etc.
Such a lovely website too.
P.S…The lady at the big nurseries here, Heddon garden Centre, famous for its dahlias, is going to look on your website after I said where I had seen the La Belle Epoque.