No tiptoeing through the tulips

The tulips make me want to paint,
Something about the way they drop
Their petals on the tabletop
And do not wilt so much as faint,
…….
And how, tomorrow, they’ll be missed.

American poet A.E. Stallings nailed it when she wrote about tulips, capturing the beauty that Rushall Park residents are now enjoying. In recent weeks, dozens of tulips planted last year, are blooming and delighting the residents and visitors who pass them each day.

Head gardener Marika Pedrioli and her team planted the 240 tulip bulbs last year after they were donated by resident John Bannenberg. The tulips are planted in a rejuvenated garden bed in front of the SEK Hulme community centre. A liquid amber tree that had been growing there was removed last year because of fungal damage. A four-year old Tulip tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera) was planted in its place and is now surrounded by the flowering tulips. The tree was bought using money donated by the residents and the Clifton Hill Masonic Lodge.

“We wanted a well established tree in that spot and the tulip tree, from the same family as the magnolia tree, was a good choice and we hope it will flower in the spring and summer of next year or in 2020,” Marika said.

The planting, redevelopment and surrounding work in this area was made possible through the generosity of many residents who attended the ‘Tulip’ fundraising dinner, which raised $765.

The 240 tulip bulbs, which include the fringed tulips, Monet and double varieties, ensure a show of colour over a longer period of time with different tulip varieties flowering at different times through Spring.

Another stunning addition to the Rushall Park tree stock is a Nyssa Silvatica, which was made possible because of fundraising by residents. This tree, with its striking orange autumn foliage, was planted in July in Coppin Ave in front of a bluestone building, which was the old office.

“This tree will look gorgeous against the bluestone building and is very suited to our climate,” Marika said.

“We select our trees vary carefully because the village has such a beautiful, and in some areas unique, collection of trees and we need to ensure that any new plantings suit the look of the area, but also the climate.”