Fall bulbs ready for planting.

Now that the cooler fall weather is here, it's time to think about planting bulbs for the spring. The three collections here caught my eye. This one has 9 Angelique Tulips, 9 Ballerina Tulips, 5 Carlton Daffodils, 4 Thalia Daffodils, and 3 Delft Blue Hyacinths. All are said to be very fragrant. Spring cannot come too soon.




This pack contains 35 Triumph tulips. In massed plantings of 10 -12 per grouping, there should be a fine showing next spring.







I chose this collection for their vibrant dark colours. While we have lots of other spring bulbs none have the colours promised by this selection.

The 2010 Ottawa Tulip Festival

On the first warm and sunny day for a while, Anne and I decided to drive to the Hogs Back Falls and then ride our bikes to see this year's edition of Ottawa's Tulip Festival. We left shortly after the church service, and decided to lunch at Canal Ritz. The restaurant was crowded and lunch was a leisurely affair.




The view from our table was of the Rideau Canal.








After lunch we rode for a while till we reached the major tulip displays. There we had to dismount and push our bikes since the crowds were very large. Next year we must remember to go on a weekday.





Despite the early spring, the tulips were spectacular.








Massive beds dazzle the eyes.








We returned to Hogs Back, crossing the Hartwell Lock without difficulty.

(If you click on the photo and enlarge, you will see the hand-made basket that graces Anne's bike.)

April showers brought May flowers.

Today's blog features photographs of flowers from my garden in this early May season. It is fitting to start with images of tulips as today also marks the 65th anniversary of the liberation of The Netherlands from Nazi German occupation. Parades in Holland mark that occasion today as Canadian Veterans return to the land they freed so long ago.



This weekend is also the beginning of Ottawa's Tulip Festival. The Dutch gave Ottawa thousands of tulip bulbs in thanks for the liberation. I must visit the Festival and take my annual photos of the displays.





I included a photograph of one of my rhubarb plants to keep in with the WWII theme. In England, during that war, "Dig for Victory" was one of the slogans. People raised vegetables of all kinds as part of the war effort. Rhubarb was part of the war effort, though sweeteners of any kind were in very short supply.




Anne's shade gardens are also coming to life in early May.








The early spring flowers in the shade add touches of colour. Hostas and ferns are showing through in these areas too.







And last but not least, the apple tree is in full bloom. April showers brought the reward of May flowers indeed!