What’s not to love about a plant that comes in just about any colour you could want and provides a real zing of colour to any garden. Having walked through parks and gardens with amazing displays of tulips recently they truly signal spring has arrived and summer isn’t far away. Whether picking one colour to create a huge swathe or selecting a range of shades to complement each other they will pack a punch in any border.

From pale apricot through to hot orange-reds:

Orange Tulips
© Camilla Grayley

Lemon to vibrant yellow:

Yellow tulips
© Camilla Grayley

Or lilacs, to deep purples verging on the black with two-tone white/purples thrown in:

Shades of lilac and purple
© Camilla Grayley

Alternatively complementary colours work really well together or throw caution to the wind and just plant an amazing array of colours:

Mixed colours
© Camilla Grayley

It’s always great to plant a few extra to be able to fill a vase to enjoy inside, as well as having plenty in the garden.

With the flower show season well under way now is the perfect time to wander around looking at the displays for inspiration and placing orders in preparation for the bulbs to arrive in autumn. Whether visiting a local tulip festival or enjoying the displays in the Great Pavilion at the Chelsea Flower Show. Although when filling in the form it’s easy to get carried away ticking all the colours and varieties you would love to grow, at least it is for me.