Once upon a time in the gardens here, not so long ago, we had thousands of tulips blooming in stunning concert. Then, a few years ago, we lost almost every single tulip we planted to hungry rodents in winter.  The past 3 years have been filled with trials and errors as we have been battling a variety of predators of our gorgeous tulip bulbs and blooms. One year, I pivoted and tried potting the tulips and protecting them for the winter before sinking the pots in the garden in April. That worked with moderate success. This year I tried a different tact. We overwintered the tulips tightly planted in crates. You will see them on display in several areas across the property in custom wooden boxes made from our own trees (shoutout to arborist and groundskeeper Dennis Taylor for making these boxes). While I am happy with this result, I am even happier with the cutting garden trials.

In the cutting garden we opted to co-plant several of the tulips with what I am calling “protector bulbs.” Daffodils are toxic and rodents and deer will leave them alone. Therefore, daffodils went into the same hole as each tulip when we planted in the fall. This protection has been extremely effective. And, bonus points, it is also lovely to see the pairs blooming together. The best of friends.

Here are the tulips and their pretty daffodil protectors this week.

Tulip ‘Whispering Dream’ with Daffodil ‘Eaton Song’

Tulip ‘Queensland’ with Daffodil ‘Polar Hunter’

Tulip ‘Jimmy’ with Daffodil ‘Baby Boomer’

We also co-planted with some extra Hyacinths we had available.

Tulip ‘Salmon Dessert’ with Hyacinths ‘Aiolos’ and ‘Royal Navy’

Here you can see the Sunken Garden tulips beginning to bloom in their custom box by the fountain.

Now that I have discovered my secret weapon against predators, I am sure you will see more daffodil and tulip combinations in the gardens in years to come.

Happy May!

*Image at top is one of my favorite daffodils in for the late season – Narcissus ‘Firebrand’, a wonderful name for a plant that can protect others.