In May close to a million tulips in more than 50 varieties fill Ottawa's flower beds. These Dutch tulips are some of the first signs of spring found in Canada's capital.
Created in 1954 to commemorate the annual gift of tulips sent from Holland to the Canadian people, The Canadian Tulip Festival is the world's largest.
top photo is from www.leevalley.com/newsletters
bottom photo is from http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/
12 comments:
Goodness I didn't know that, AND I live in Holland. Thanks for broadening my horizons a little!
Wow, those tulips are gorgeous!!
(and in answer to your question, no, I'm posting a Millay piece for TT) :^)
Now we know where Thumbelina spends her vacations! Thank you, Clever Pup, for visiting the 5fingerplatz the other day!
So beautiful. I didn't know about it being largest festival either (not that I'm in Netherlands). The red against the gray background pops. Lovely to look at on day of tax prep. Aiieeee. xoxo Susan
We've had occasion to go to this twice, since Kev's sister lives outside of Ottawa in Stittsville.
I have red and yellow ones that come up in the front flower-bed - despite my efforts to eradicate them. Not that I don't like tulips, I just prefer the dark purple ones to the traditional reds and yellows. Pinks are nice too.
I still remember seeing the black-purple ones in a garden in one of the houses just below Casa Loma when I was a little girl being taken to nursery school. That's why I've always loved those ones.
Kat
Kat, I'm with you - is that surprising - I find something cheesy about the red and yellow and I've been trying to replace them with purples, blacks, pink, or rock tulips or parrots over the years.
CP - Nothing surprises me, any more!
By the way - Nuts and Bolts was near Dundas and Yonge where Dundas curved around and crossed the street that housed Ryerson's campus. You had to go downstairs - I think there was a black railing, if I'm not mistaken and inside the dance floor was white square panels that lit up it encircled a huge black pole and mirrors were on all the walls. It was also really deep - went back to seats and tables and had an opening in behind where you could get burgers and fries. Tasted pretty good at midnight, but by the light of day, who knows?
Kat
I just got around to reading the essay on Victorine, very nice.
re: tulips -- I seem to have less luck with them than with narcisus, maybe its just the coastal climate here. On another note, it might be fun to tell the story of how tulip bulbs were once worth their weight in gold, until the golden bubble burst. Just like today!
Beth - yes once worth their weight in gold during Tulipmania and the Dutch were reduced to eating them during the occupation.
Some day, perhaps, we'll drive up and over to Ottawa. Looks lovely.
CG - That would be one looong drive.
oh WoWWWWWWWWW! This is SO gorgeous....those fields of tulips are incredible!!!
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