January 16, 2021, marks National Tulip Day. As seasoned horticulturists with years of experience in Dutch bulb cultivation, we're sharing essential facts and proven tips on these beloved flowers.
Traditionally held on the third Saturday in January, National Tulip Day kicks off tulip season. In 2021, it falls on Saturday, January 16. Normally, the event begins with picking tulips from Dam Square in Amsterdam, where 200,000 bulbs are planted annually. Due to COVID-19, this hands-on activity was canceled this year. Still, it's the ideal moment to grab a fresh bunch from your local florist and delight someone special.
With National Tulip Day approaching, dive into these insights on tulips, drawn from our extensive field experience.
Tulips are the Netherlands' most iconic flowers, grown from bulbs and synonymous with Dutch heritage for many. Over 3,000 varieties, colors, and shades are cultivated worldwide.
While often seen as quintessentially Dutch, tulips originated in Turkey, where sultans adorned their turbans with them—hence the name "tulipan" from the Turkish for turban cloth. The Netherlands leads as the top exporter, shipping about 2 billion tulips globally each year.
Each tulip color carries deep meaning:
Beyond 3,000 varieties differing in color and form, some boast unique names like Make a Wish, Quinty Trustful, Red Cross, and OG3NE—honors from foundations or notable figures. Naming a tulip takes 10–15 years from development to market.
As early spring bloomers, plant tulip bulbs in autumn (September to December), before the first frost. Use open ground or spacious pots, spacing bulbs at least 10 cm apart.
Early varieties are harvested from mid-January, with others following. Blooming spans March to May—prime time to visit Keukenhof Gardens.
Display tulips at home with these professional tricks to prevent drooping stems:
Remove tulip bulbs post-blooming, once leaves yellow. Store dry and cool until autumn replanting for best results next season.
Tulips fall into these key groups:
Not native to the Netherlands, tulips remain hugely popular here. Stock up soon, choosing colors mindfully for meaningful gifts. They're straightforward to grow in any garden.
