Tulips near Amsterdam in end of May?
Apr 18th, 2008, 12:34 PM
#21
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Lovetravelin,
I agree with most folks on this thread that you will be too late for the tulips in the Netherlands. We live in the Pacific Northwest, and the Skagit Valley has some of the biggest tulip growing operations outside of Holland, and our growing season is similar.
Our tulips this year are about three weeks too late because of a cold, cold Spring. The Tulip Festival officially opened over two weeks ago, and the fields are just now in partial bloom. All will be gone by May, I believe.
A story about Dutch bulbs. Our friend's Mother always insisted on getting only authentic Dutch bulbs; no matter the cost. She would order them in the Fall, and eagerly await their arrival. One year, she got a letter from her Dutch supplier, saying, "We are sorry, but your shipment will be delayed. The reason is the late delivery from our Skagit Valley supplier".
I agree with most folks on this thread that you will be too late for the tulips in the Netherlands. We live in the Pacific Northwest, and the Skagit Valley has some of the biggest tulip growing operations outside of Holland, and our growing season is similar.
Our tulips this year are about three weeks too late because of a cold, cold Spring. The Tulip Festival officially opened over two weeks ago, and the fields are just now in partial bloom. All will be gone by May, I believe.
A story about Dutch bulbs. Our friend's Mother always insisted on getting only authentic Dutch bulbs; no matter the cost. She would order them in the Fall, and eagerly await their arrival. One year, she got a letter from her Dutch supplier, saying, "We are sorry, but your shipment will be delayed. The reason is the late delivery from our Skagit Valley supplier".
Apr 18th, 2008, 03:57 PM
#22
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Once again - thanks so much for all the insight and info. So the general consensus seems to be that I shouldn't buy from Amsterdam since a) they will be old. b) I can probably find them here for cheaper. So I guess it is more of a touristy thing to do?
Some posted that other flowers will be blooming as well...but it seems that Kuekenhof closes a couple days before we are in the area. I was specifically interested in visiting Kuekenhof after it was mentioned here and looked it up online. I guess we will have to settle for the floating flower market instead.
As for the deer here in NJ - i know for a fact they devour tulips in a heartbeat. My parents had planted some years ago and the tops of them were all bitten off as soon as they bloomed. So I had done some research on online and learned that tulips are considered a delicacy for the deer. They LOVE them. The deer are vicious out here! They pretty much eat anything which is why everyones landscaping out here is mostly boring deer-resistant plants.
ANyway - back to the topic - thanks again for all the info. I will, check out Zaanse Schans for the windmills if we have time as hetismij suggested.
Some posted that other flowers will be blooming as well...but it seems that Kuekenhof closes a couple days before we are in the area. I was specifically interested in visiting Kuekenhof after it was mentioned here and looked it up online. I guess we will have to settle for the floating flower market instead.
As for the deer here in NJ - i know for a fact they devour tulips in a heartbeat. My parents had planted some years ago and the tops of them were all bitten off as soon as they bloomed. So I had done some research on online and learned that tulips are considered a delicacy for the deer. They LOVE them. The deer are vicious out here! They pretty much eat anything which is why everyones landscaping out here is mostly boring deer-resistant plants.
ANyway - back to the topic - thanks again for all the info. I will, check out Zaanse Schans for the windmills if we have time as hetismij suggested.
Apr 19th, 2008, 12:28 AM
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May 3 or 4 will be excellent. Due to a cold spring flowers bloom a little later this year.
I was at the fields a few days ago and tulips are about to start to bloom, hyacinths are blooming now.
You will enjoy your visit to Keukenhof.
Another remark for those that arrive after mid May, check shortly before arrival once again the Keukenhof website.
I remember 2 years ago it also was a cold spring and Keukenhof extended its opening with an additional week. So you never know...
I was at the fields a few days ago and tulips are about to start to bloom, hyacinths are blooming now.
You will enjoy your visit to Keukenhof.
Another remark for those that arrive after mid May, check shortly before arrival once again the Keukenhof website.
I remember 2 years ago it also was a cold spring and Keukenhof extended its opening with an additional week. So you never know...
