The Tulip Bed (gouache style)

Wild tulips grow in the mountains of Central Asia and Turkey, and garden tulips reached western Europe in the sixteenth century. They caused a famous speculative frenzy in the Netherlands in the 1630s. Today they're sorted into groups by flower shape and season, including Single Early, Triumph, Darwin Hybrid, Lily-flowered, Parrot and Double tulips. Darwin hybrids tend to come back better in later years than most.

Plant bulbs in October or November, later than daffodils, which helps them escape the fungal disease tulip fire. Set them deep, at two to three times the bulb's height, in sun and well-drained soil. Forget-me-nots planted between them in autumn fill the gaps and flower at the same time in April and May. After flowering, snap off the seed heads and let the leaves die back naturally. Many gardeners don't bother keeping bedding tulips and plant fresh bulbs each autumn.

Coral, plum, pink and cream tulips rise from a carpet of blue forget-me-nots in this spring bed. It's the classic pairing, and the moment chosen is the one where both are at their peak together. The soft blue underneath lets the warmer tulip colours stand out clearly.