It is astonishing that they grow so well in our sodden climate - and doubly so in my own quagmire of a garden. Queen of the Night' has a satiny purple head with plum-shaded depths balanced on a smoky green stem. There are eight beds edged with box, and the tulips peak out above that frame. Mix'n'match and you diminish tulips utterly. You are as likely to mix tulips up together successfully as you are to get a good drink by sloshing half a dozen different great wines together.
Most tulips look better against the backdrop of spring green.
Many people have commented on the successful relationship between tulips and euphorbias, mainly because euphorbias such as E palustris, E polychroma and E amygdaloides purpurea all have intense acid-green 'flowers' as well as their spring foliage. In our spring garden, with its euphorbia backing band, we have 'Spring Green', a viridflora tulip with ivory petals and what the trade calls 'feathered green' - a soft green blaze along each petal. Lining the lime walk are lily-flowered 'White Triumphator', their simplicity enhanced by the massed effect. Like all white flowers, they look best in shade. In our walled garden, all pastels and whites, we have 'Carnaval de Nice', a double latte and white, with a raspberry ripple splashed on it.