Here are some more pictures of the early double peony type.

Here's one that's so vibrant it literally shocks the camera.

I also have this nice species Tulip coming up all over the place.

zuzu do those grow there every year? no lifting or anything? just beautiful.

The species ones will grow in any zone every year, I think. The doubles need lots of frost to come back, so I usually pile ice cubes in the beds if we don't get enough frost. I have to do that for my alpine plants and peonies anyway, so I actually use more ice cubes in winter than in summer.

lol. really. how many times a day do you do that?

It's not quite that bad. We usually have a few frosty mornings in late November and a few more in December, so I just do it a couple of times in January. It's just that there are a lot of places I have to dump the cubes. I have six big redwood boxes full of alpine plants, a couple of peony beds, and a lot of bulb beds and containers.

Brilliant, Zuzu! I've been trying to figure out what it was about your microclimate that allowed you such success with these that need winter chill. Love it! Just tell a gardener they can't grow something, and see what creative ideas they come up with!

Tulip humilis 'Alba' Coerulea Oculata

jmorth, I love those Tulip humilis 'Alba' Coerulea Oculata, been wanting some for a few years now, but I'm just too cheap, LOL. Hmmm...other T.humilis varieties seem to multiply fairly well for me, so perhaps I need to put a little cluster somewhere with high visibility. How long have you had it?

Third year, from an end of season half price sale at Brent and Becky's.

I do love that clearance sale! That's when I like to pick up those pricey special things like that too!

whites

a red Darwin

Gudoshnik

Banja Luka

Both very pretty. It must be tulip time. My few tulips opened up today also.

Anyone recognize this mini?

Kathy, that looks like the Kaufmaniana sold as 'Waterlily'. It's lovely!

Jmorth, do your Tulips return well?

This one is tiny! Thanks.