It’s “Tulip Time” in Ottawa and in gardens across Canada as the red-and -white Canada 150 tulips are blooming across the National Capital Region this spring. The Canada 150 tulip is the official tulip of Canada’s 150th anniversary. It is a white tulip with firey flashes of red that some say, symbolizes the Canadian flag.
The National Capital Commission partnered with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Home Hardware, exclusive retailer of this special tulip, and the Communities in Bloom for the selection and distribution of the Canada 150 tulip. The tulips of the Capital Region are a symbol of the gratitude and friendship born out of the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadians in WWII.
The National Capital Commission negotiated with the grower, Holland Bulb Market (Holland) for the exclusivity of this registered tulip in Canada.
During the sesquicentennial celebrations in spring 2017, 300,000 Canada 150 tulips will be in full view for the public in the National Capital Commission’s flower gardens with thousands more blooming in community and home gardens across Canada.
Home Hardware made these tulip bulbs available across the country, in time for fall planting in 2016 for the enjoyment of home gardeners in 2017.
Here’s a sampling of pictures showing the colours of this “special” tulip.
