1 White Elegance, 35cm. Slim, chaste chalices, coolly seductive. Flowering April/May
2 Texas Gold, 45cm. Parrot type, in glorious citrus tones of lemons and blood oranges. May
3 Gavota, 45cm. Shapely and elegant at every stage, its prunes-and-custard colours bring a warm radiance. April?May
4 Tulipa sylvestris, 25cm. Dainty, sweet-scented and good for naturalising. Woodland tulip, enjoys sun or partial shade. March/April
5 Dordogne, 65cm. Strong, versatile egg-shaped blooms in mutable, sunset colours. May
6 Mariette, 55cm. Refined lily-flowered type on tall, strong stems, wafting sweet fragrance from luminous rosy-pink chalices. Late April/May
7 Rococo, 35cm. Scarlet, crimped and fused with deep plum and grass green, fragrant; short stems. May
8 Muriel, 50cm. A spectacular parrot, frilled taffeta petals. May
9 Black Hero, 60cm. Opens very dark, like small peonies of deepest aubergine, on tallish stems. May
10 Arabian Mystery, 40cm. Feather-edge of silver on silky mauve, classic blooms. April?early May
Tulip suppliers
Avon Bulbs (01460 242 177; www.avonbulbs.co.uk) Bloms Bulbs (01234 709099; www.blomsbulbs.com) Crocus (0870 787 1413; www.crocus.co.uk) J. Parker (0161?848 1100; www.jparkers.co.uk)
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A bum deal on a bog-standard property? The former public conveniences being sold off for a songLondon has several affordable properties with enviable postcodes and great lighting... so long as you're happy spending more than a penny on a Victorian loo.
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In which country does the Royal Company of Archers act as The King's ceremonial bodyguard? It's the Country Life Quiz of the Day, October 16, 2025Test your general knowledge in today's wide-ranging quiz.
