Not my tulips, for a change.
Walking through Soho this morning, I came into Golden Square, a fantastically historic square which is currently bursting with tulips. Most municipal plantings of tulips use bog standard red and yellow tulips, as though nothing else existed. But here the three large beds in the centre of the square have each been planted very creatively with a single variety of tulip and a single companion.
So beneath the statue of George II in the central bed there are floppy white tulips underplanted with pretty white forget-me-nots.
On one side there are pale yellow fringed tulips underplanted with golden wallflower.
And, most striking of all, the third bed is full of vivid coral-pink tulips with deep magenta sweet williams which make it simply radiate colour.
I love this part of Soho for its cafes, street markets, fabric shops and the superbly renovated Marshall Street Baths. And of course I lingered for a while in Golden Square with a view of the tulips, a mug of coffee and a cinnamon bun at Nordic Bakery.
I think the whites are my favorite - stunning.
Posted by: Lisa G. | April 15, 2011 at 16:56
Like you I sometimes feel the municiple plantings are somewhat uninspired but they look lovely. I often go to Bristol Zoo with my kids at this time of year - for the usual holiday entertaining - but also to satisfy "Mummy" (me!) because they have great drifts of tulips planted in blocks of colour and type and they are absolutly stunning. Haven't been yet this year, but last years' were a real treat! Thanks for sharing these!
Posted by: mrsbris | April 15, 2011 at 17:10
The cinnamon buns are make a visit to the Nordic Bakery worthwhile, and if you time it right you get to see (and smell) them being brought fresh from the oven in the kitchen to the cafe!
Posted by: Gavin Collins | April 15, 2011 at 17:20
I love the simplicity of those two-off pairings! They are gorgeous. Especially the whites, I think.
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 15, 2011 at 19:59
Gorgeous Jane! And I do so envy you your strolls around Soho!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | April 15, 2011 at 20:20
Thank you! I love every single tulip picture you post, and look forward to them every year. Beautiful!
Posted by: Jan | April 15, 2011 at 21:58
The whites and yellows are lovely, but the combination of the coral pink tulips and deep magenta of the sweet williams is just magnificent. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of the flowers in Soho.
Posted by: Sheeps Peeps | April 16, 2011 at 05:09
Jane, where do you live?! It's amazing how quickly you seem to move in and out of London, yet live in the countryside. I think your proactivity to get out and see stuff is great.
They are very striking flower beds, I agree.
Posted by: kp | April 16, 2011 at 11:48
Makes me happy on my way to work to see these combinations in the square.
Have you seen the new Nordic Bakery cook book ? - delicious
Posted by: Bekky | April 16, 2011 at 22:54