Tulips likely to appear early this year

  • By Theresa Goffredo Herald Writer
  • Friday, March 19, 2010 6:47pm
  • Life

El Nino brought us a mild winter and an early Skagit Valley Tulip Festival with beautiful blooms a possibility as early as March 26.

That’s the way it looks anyway. But remember Mother Nature abides by no calendar.

“We don’t have tulips yet,” festival executive director Cindy Verge said. “The leaves of the flowers are out of the ground but we aren’t far enough along in the blooming. So much will depend on the weather.

“We’ve got daffodils, and the tulips will share the attention.”

Whether you drive out this weekend to see the yellow daffodils or wait for the official opening of Tulip Festival — April 1 — keep in mind that this year might turn out to be the polar opposite of last year.

In 2009, the tulips didn’t start to pop until about April 20 and, this year, they could be gone by then. Growers are saying the height of tulip beauty should be around Easter, April 4.

And what will we see this year? Orange blooms the color of a Popsicle? Sexy hot pink flowers ready for next year’s Valentine’s bouquet? We don’t know. The varieties comprise the surprise, Verge said.

“The big fields are planted by Washington Bulb Co. … and the company responds to what is popular on the market,” Verge said. “I can’t guarantee what colors you’ll see. It’s the farmers job to grow the tulips. I can guarantee they will be beautiful.”

By March 26, display gardens at RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town will be open by March 26.

Tulip Town’s owner, Jeannette DeGoede, said the late- and mid-blooming varieties at Tulip Town look to be right on track to ensure a good show throughout April. Tulip Town is at 15002 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon.

RoozenGaarde is open year round and planted with more than 1 million spring blooming bulbs and flowers at 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon.

So we know there will be tulips. We know they will probably be early. What else do we need to know about this, the 27th year of the mecca of Skagit Valley?

Well, two new events this year will cater to tulip visitors who like a little chocolate with their flowers and to serious flower followers who like to learn while they look.

“The Chili, Chowder and Chocolate” event combines all three on April 17 at the Creekside Retirement Community, 400 Gilkey Road, Burlington. Admission for adults is $5, kids are $2, and seniors and those 5 and under are free. Proceeds help pay for college scholarships.

And Skagit Valley will host the World Tulip Summit, at which delegates from all over the world come to view the tulips and learn more about the state flower industry on April 13, 14 and 15.

“It’s a chance for us to showcase who we are and what we are about and how we do tulips,” Verge said.

You can also learn lots more about tulips. For instance, did you know that tulips were discovered during the Ottoman Empire?

The 2010 World Tulip Summit has a variety of events open to the public, such as a lunch with gardening guru Ciscoe Morris as the keynote speaker. Go to 2010worldtulipsummit.com to find out more and to view a complete summit schedule.

Other tulips events include:

  • The 25th annual not-so-impromptu Kiwanis Tulip Parade starts at 2 p.m. April 10 in downtown La Conner.

    Battle of the Bands where six bands compete each week for three weeks. All bands perform at 3 p.m. April 3, 10 and 17 with three finalists performing April 24 at the Outlet Shoppes, 448 Fashion Way, Burlington. For more events, go to www. tulipfestival.org.

    Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.

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