During Canada's Tulip Festival, red tulip beds bloom in front of Ottawa's Parliament buildings.
Every spring during Canada’s Tulip Festival, thousands of visitors and locals flock to the tulip beds, cameras in hand. Tulips have been a symbol of friendship and peace between the Netherlands and Canada for more than 60 years.
During the Second World War, the Netherlands was not a safe place for family. The pregnant Princess Juliana sought refuge in Ottawa, where she gave birth to Princess Margriet. Since then, the Dutch royal family has been sending tulips to Canada, a symbol of friendship and thanks. Every year, the royal family sends 10,000 bulbs, matched by the International Flower Bulb Center in Holland. These Dutch tulip blooms are among the first colorful signs of spring in the nation’s capital.
In 1954, the Canadian Tulip Festival was created to officially recognize the flower, and the Dutch gratitude. It’s a colorful spring celebration, drawing visitors with their camera from around the world. The low spring temperatures keep the tulips looking fresh throughout the 3 week festival in May. Eye-catching flowerbeds are found throughout Ottawa, and each summer new garden designs are mapped out.
Tulip Colors
Color, height and bloom time are all taken into consideration to achieve the most impact. Around 50 people are needed to plant more than 700,000 bulbs throughout the Ottawa gardens. Tulips are planted in masses of solid color. Oranges, reds and pinks make a dramatic and bold statement. Color combinations, such as white and yellow or red and white make a striking and unique display. Every bed is different, and whatever is planted, they are all beautiful.
Why not make your own backyard tulip celebration every spring? Try new color combinations, or just use your favorites. Whatever you choose, you won’t go wrong.
