Flower care

Ottawa Tulip Festival and Tulip Bouquets

November 11, 2026 · 4 min read · Lux Berry & Bloom, Ottawa

The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place in Ottawa every May, when hundreds of thousands of tulips bloom in public gardens across the city, with the largest display at Commissioners Park by Dow's Lake. The tradition began as a thank-you from the Netherlands for the shelter Canada gave the Dutch royal family during the Second World War, and it is why a tulip bouquet feels like Ottawa's signature spring gift.

Here is the story behind the festival, tips for visiting, and how to choose and care for a tulip bouquet at home.

Why Ottawa is famous for tulips

During the Second World War, the Dutch royal family took refuge in Ottawa. Princess Margriet was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1943, and the maternity room was temporarily declared outside Canadian territory so she would be born a Dutch citizen. Canadian soldiers also played a major role in liberating the Netherlands in 1944 and 1945.

In thanks, the Netherlands sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa in 1945, and Princess Juliana sent more in the years that followed. Tulips still arrive from the Netherlands each year. The bulbs bloomed into a city tradition, and the Canadian Tulip Festival grew from it in the early 1950s. It is now one of Ottawa's best-known spring events.

Visiting the Canadian Tulip Festival

When: in May, usually through the middle of the month. Bloom timing depends on the spring weather, so check the official festival website for this year's dates.
Where: Commissioners Park at Dow's Lake has the biggest beds. Tulips also bloom along the Rideau Canal and in parks and public gardens across the city.
Tips: go on a weekday morning for quieter paths and soft light for photos. Walk or cycle along the canal, since parking near Dow's Lake fills up quickly on weekends.
Look, don't pick: the public beds are for everyone to enjoy. For tulips at home, a bouquet is the way to go.

When are tulips in season?

Cut tulips are at their best from roughly late winter through spring, about March to May, which lines up with the festival and Mother's Day. Outside spring they can be harder to find, and some tulip designs may use seasonal flowers instead to keep the same look. If you want tulips specifically, order in spring.

Choosing a tulip bouquet

Colour	Common meaning	Good for
Red	Love	Partners, anniversaries
Pink	Affection, care	Mother's Day, friends
Yellow	Cheer, sunshine	Get well, congratulations
White	Respect, new beginnings	Sympathy, new homes
Purple	Elegance	Birthdays, thank-yous

A mixed bouquet of spring colours captures the festival mood best.

How to make tulips last longer

Trim about 1 to 2 cm off the stems at an angle and put them in cool, fresh water.
Use a tall vase. Tulips keep growing after they are cut and bend toward light, which is part of their charm.
Change the water and re-trim every couple of days.
Keep them away from heat vents, direct sun and fruit bowls.
Do not mix freshly cut daffodils in the same vase. Their sap can shorten the life of tulips.

With good care, a tulip bouquet usually lasts five to seven days.

If you have pets, keep tulips out of reach. The ASPCA lists tulips as toxic to cats and dogs, with the bulbs being the most toxic part. If your pet chews them, call your vet or an animal poison control line.