I am a genealogist, a gardener, and a Canadian, so I must share the news about the official tulip for Canada’s 150th anniversary next year. And I’ll be buying at least one box of these beauties in the fall.
The Canada 150 tulip, the official tulip of Canada’s 150th anniversary, was unveiled yesterday in Commissioners Park in Ottawa.
‘Canada 150’ tulip bulbs will be sold in Home Hardware stores across Canada this September.
The Canada 150 tulip’s white bloom with red flames bears a striking resemblance to our maple leaf flag. The National Capital Commission has partnered with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Home Hardware, exclusive retailer of this special tulip bulb, and Communities in Bloom for the selection and distribution of the Canada 150 tulip.
His Excellency Cees Kole, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said, “The tulip represents gratitude and the long-standing friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. Blooming in the colours of Canada’s flag, Canada 150 tulips will bring both pride and joy to gardens and communities from coast to coast to coast.”
The bulbs will go on sale this September so they will bloom in gardens across the country in spring 2017.
The first tulip beds in Ottawa were planted in 1945, when the Netherlands sent 100,000 tulip bulbs as a postwar gift of gratitude for the role that Canadian soldiers had played in the liberation of the Netherlands.
Bloomin’ awesome idea! Show your pride and bask in the fact that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world!
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Gail! Being a genealogist and also an avid gardener, I will definitely be planting these bulbs! I have an additional connection: my father served in Holland during WW II with the Canadian Airforce and my mother was Dutch. I received my Dutch citizenship (making me a dual Canadian/Netherlands citizen) in 2014 — it was a very emotional experience. My daughter just received her Dutch citizenship in April this year. It is a very special way to honour our heritage.
Wow. With all of your connections, you have no choice but to plant these bulbs in the fall.
Is there a difference between the “Canada 150” and the “Canadian Celebration” tulip? I’ve seen both offered…just wondering if they are the same?
It sounds like the same tulip. I believe the correct name is “Canada 150.”