ColorBlends Who likes to guess?

Hi All
Who else likes to guess which tulips are in the Colorblends blends? I know l do.

Anyone want to plat along? I know, pictures aren't perfect, but this could be fun.

It looks like the French Blend Rose is a mix of Pink, Apricot and maybe Red Impression tulips.

http://www.colorblends.com/Blends
cynthia

It's funny you mention that, because I've been trying to figure out what some of them are!!!
I wish they would identify them. They are awfully tempting, though. There's one combination I saw that you must buy separately, so they do name those. I'll look around some more

I have the same beef with Colorblends- always want to know what's in the mix. I prefer Darwin hybrids and Single late tulips over Triumphs because they perennialize better for me.

The French Rose blend is on my list too. Since they're listed as blooming late I'm assuming they're single late tulips since the Darwin hybrids are midseason bloomers. The Sultans of Spring mix has grabbed me too. Since it's listed on the same pages with single varieties that are all sports of 'Temple of Beauty', I'm assuming it's a mix of those (Temple's Favourite, Hocus Pocus, Blushing Lady, Perestroyka, Blushing Beauty, etc.). Since I can't make up my mind on which ones I like best, that mix suites me well.

The Mayday blend looks like 'Marilyn' and 'Sorbet' to me- love those flamed ones! The Lipsticks mix is on my list too, but I can't figure out what those may be. Any suggestions?

Fun thread!

That is EXACTLY why I am not crazy about COLORBLENDS. I would rather get the names of the tulips instead of their make-up names. The color combination may look good but if you put an early bloomer with a very late one, you will NEVER get the result.

It's their marketing tool...if they would tell you the varieties, then anybody can buy them anywhere and they have done their testing and then no orders????

LOL fun thread. I was trying to figure out the real names too. I was thinking of calling them and asking.

But then I thought maybe they buy generic tulips and put together custom combos. In any case, I like the idea of combination suggestions (if they get the bloom time right, that is.)

Pretty effective way to sell bulbs and flowers. It took the nursery industry quite a while to offer suggestions for plant partners.

tabasco
I'll bet you are right about the generics. notice when then name individual tulips they are much mre expensive.

of course, if you don't name them, you can substitue and no one will be too upset. :)

I've bought the two variety mixes at Sams. Invariably, one blooms well ahead of the other.

BTW, anyone have a guess on that tall purple that seems to show up in different mixes? It is with Lipstick and others.
cynthia

That is a nice tulip, loves, I don't know it. I just noticed in their "help desk" page that they will sell a single type of bulb from their blends... maybe then they'd tell you what it's called. Or maybe they'd just call it 'pink lipstick' LOL

So are we saying that we trust them in term of BLOOM TIMES? Lets all go back to their website and look at the combinations closely to see if we can find any misfits. I am not mean, am I? :-}

Well, I think they built their business on putting together good combinations, and I don't think they 'cheat' on their pics by growing in the greenhouse and then transplanting combinations into the garden (or cutting and pasting adobe shop style!), but I'm really just assuming that from their original marketing material from several years ago! (In other words, I'm a sucker!) LOL

Should we each order a combo and then do a consumer test? Report back next spring?

tabasco
I'd be game for that! Of course, I already have 2000+ tulips to plant, so what's 100 more
cynthia

There's a bunch of comments in Garden Watchdog that speak of prompt delivery, huge bulbs, can't wait for spring, etc., but a lot of the repeat buyers cite the wonderful displays, so it does sound like the combinations work.....Stepford Bulbs?

I found my favortie combination on COLORBLENDS. It is called Strike-Me-Pink. They look wonderful.

that is a striking combination. It's got to be Queen of the Night.....and???
cynthia

I just read through all the Watchdog comments and thought it was interesting that no 'subscriber' to DG had posted remarks.

I ordered from Colorblends when it was a fairly new company and had nice bulbs but I didn't know much about gardening then (not that I do now,--- 'just enough to be dangerous', my kids would say!) to make careful enough comments.

After reading all the comments, I want to order the same bulbs from B & B and VanEngelen's and compare. And I want to try the combos to see if the timing works. Colorblends could keep me from tearing out my hair trying to make my own creative plantings (that don't work very often!)

My consumer reporting might be getting out of hand! And 'off budget', too.!

Ok
The reality police arrived. I looked at my fridge and my yard and can't possible do any more tulips. I sure do get excited about their blends and hope that those of you who do try some report back.

cynthia

Loveshercowdog: I often run into the same situation as you. It is like if you are not a die-hard bulb lover, you don't know the feeling. LOL

A few years back I ran into the problem and suddenly the light bulb went off. I got around it by putting them in pots, many pots. I covered them with munch and wrapped the pots with jumbo garbage bags. Guess what they came up the next spring. :-)

I've ordered from colorbends last year and can say that they do bloom together. (They have been tested according to the company.)

I've had several combinations all bloomed beautifully. My neighbors all wanted to know where I got them from.

I highly recommend them. I should have left a comment on watchdog.

Maureen

Maureen, you still can leave a post on the Watchdog. Good to know they're reputable.