Tulip "Lilac Wonder"

Coincidences are interesting. As my wife and I walked through Hereford we were discussing colour combinations. I remarked that I particularly disliked the combination of lilac with yellow. A short while later, in the ruined cloister at the cathedral, I photographed these lilac and yellow flowers in its garden. I took my shots because the flowers were in full bloom and I didn't know their variety. When I closely inspected the leaves I discovered they were tulips, possibly the most cultivated flower, and one that has been made to produce blooms quite unlike those found in its original form. When I got home I looked up this variety's name and found it was "Lilac Wonder". It's well named. I too wonder why the breeder produced the plant!

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Lavender and lilac are colours

Earlier this year, when the lilac was in blossom, I railed against the white and the dark purple versions that can be seen in some gardens. It seems riduculous that a beautiful plant, that is the source of a particular colour name, should be made to be anything other than that colour. But people are like that - different, they think, is better. My hackles rose again the other day when I came across a cultivar of lavender that is white. It seems to me that every white lavender is a missed opportunity to enjoy the original and best lavender-coloured lavender, like this example in our garden.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2