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Plant selection

dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
in The potting shed
I'm looking for a tulip that is in the purple spectrum, which will go nicely with my festuca glauca and pinus pungens glauca. Long lived, well drained, SW facing, not too tall. I've searched, bleu aimable would be ideal if it was long lived. Does such a thing exist?
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Many of the 'usual' tulips simply don't return reliably.
    However, I love Ronaldo and was surprised that a few managed to come back in subsequent years. I've been told it's generally regarded as pretty consistent and perennial, so that's maybe worth trying. It's a deep, reddish purple, which is what I love - it may be too dark for you though    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I've found that Lily flowered tulips repeat flower in my dry, sandy soil.  Try T. Burgundy.

    Tulip Burgundy

    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Purple Doll? I grew them for the first time this year so I don't know how well they're going to repeat.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Purple Doll has lasted a few years here.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    Thanks all! I've had a change of heart, away from the tulips, and I might start the year with crocus, then have anemones carry the colour on.
    Maybe I should show you the space and you'll have better ideas? I'm looking for a bit of life to fill the space while he grasses come up. 

    Here's what it looked like in Feb (the pine replaced the jasmin):


    Here's what it looked like in May:


    Here's what it looked like in Aug:

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have to admit- I wouldn't have planted a pinus there, although it'll probably struggle to establish and thrive if it's very dry, especially next to the wall. 
    You could simply have a larger variety of spring bulbs, and then one or two other easy perennials which won't mind being close to the taller grasses, but they'll fill out in a couple of years, so that would be less necessary. Some Irises perhaps.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    Yeah, not really sure what I was thinking tbh. Its doing great, but that's probably because we've been extremely lucky with the rain this year. The first watering I had to do was last week.loads of new growth. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    While it will be relatively slow growing, it doesn't mean it won't get pretty large, so you'll need a good pair of secateurs  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    The grass on the left is going to get quite large in a couple of years.  Personally I would move the two larger grasses away from the wall and closer to your smaller grasses at the front in spring.  You could plant bulbs in pots to fill the gaps in the meantime.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    edited September 2023
    @Plantminded what is that tall grass? It is rather lovely. 😍
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