Spring flowering bulbs - an artist's palette

Dec 18 2008

Today sees the start of our new, weekly gardening column. Read Chris Roberts, managing director of Van Hage garden company to get your own little eden in shape.

Gardening, much like art, is an emotive pursuit. Strong preferences govern our choice of colour, style or subject matter – while the artist within is seldom satisfied with the end result.

The beauty of gardening is that it is never ending – seasons loop round to provide the endless opportunity for improvement or starting afresh. Much in the same way as artists can over-paint areas or touch-up drab corners, we as gardeners, can review and amend planting - increasing vibrancy or softening borders.

Spring flowering bulbs allow just that – perfect for under-planting; creating drama at every turn, they promise a kaleidoscope of rainbow colour and a wealth of planting possibilities.

The Old Masters – Dutch and Flemish still life painters of the 1600-1800’s understood the vibrancy of spring flowers, often combining blooms from different continents into “bouquets” of effortless artistry. Flared, flamed and fringed ‘Rembrandt’ tulips crammed into a pewter jug, or wicker basket cry out for admiration as they gracefully arch their stems and relax into blown perfection.

These famously mottled or ‘broken’-colour tulips launched a frenzy of trading between collectors, culminating in the near collapse of the Dutch economy in 1637 – an era that became known for its hysteria as ‘Tulipmania’.

Artists such as Brueghel, Huysum and Vosmaer were drawn to the unique flamed blooms of these ‘Parrot’ tulip ancestors, though ironically, their Dutch born namesake, Rembrandt rarely chose flowers as his subject matter. However, the abundance of spring blooms depicted by artists of the time contributed richly to the Golden Age of Dutch Painting.

The flamed, broken or striated petals of ‘Rembrandt’ tulips – no two were ever alike – were caused by a variable virus. Today, these historical originals are no longer available, but healthy look-a-like varieties replicate their artful appearance and inspire artists of all ages.

Cleverly packaged in colour-coded cartons, today’s bulb collections take the guesswork out of arranging artistic combinations. Part of the Royal Horticultural Societies ‘Perfect Partners’ series, Tulipa ‘Sorbet Blend’ is a mouth-watering mix of peach, apricot and cherry-pink, flecked with pistachio green and zesty yellow that will have you reaching for your paint brushes.

While Tulipa ‘Cayenne’ is a sultry mix of brooding chocolate-brown and burnt sugar-red, with a fiery orange rim.

Add the simple ‘Blue’ Collection of glacial Muscari ameniacum, Anemone ‘Blue and White Mixed’ and frosted Tulipa ‘Shirley’ to your planting palette - perfect for patio tubs (allow one packet per pot), or 1m of flower border.