I am a sucker for Parrot Tulips. White, creamy yellow, pastel, or deep “Rembrandt” colours – doesn’t matter – I love them all.

There is something about the rich texture of the ruffled petals that appeals to me deeply. They’re not easy to find, and every year at this time I search for them at a certain green grocer on Bayview Avenue in Toronto. Eagerly I enter the walk-in refrigerator, and there they are, trying to disguise themselves as just ordinary tulips, but the fatness of the flower gives them away.  Success!  Home we go with several large bundles. At first the petals nestle coyly and tightly against one another, as they try to keep up their disguise. But within a day or two, the flowers slowly open, revealing a crinoline of leaves. Beautiful.  A couple more days pass, and they they are fully open, looking for all the world like a peony. A virtuoso performance from a humble bulb.

This time I selected the white, wanting to pair the beautiful spring green ribbing on the petals with  some Minton soup bowls that I had purchased some years earlier.  

Sferra French Knot runner, placemats and napkins provided a crisp counterpoint.

The Moser hand-painted glasses added a charming, pastel element.  They are part of a large set of wine and champagne glasses and finger bowls from Elise Abram antiques.

I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.