Tulips are starting to bloom around Canada’s Capital Region, where nearly a million flowers will blossom in parks and gardens just in time for the Canadian Tulip Festival—one of the biggest in the world.
The festival attracts scores of visitors each year, having originated with a donation of 10,000 tulip bulbs to Canada from the Netherlands for Canadian actions during World War II.
But you don’t have to travel far to enjoy these flowers. Many farms and fields around Ontario welcome visitors to tour and pick some tulips to take home.
Here are five farms that are ideal for a spring day trip and tulip picking.
Tasc Tulip Farm
With two million tulips, and about 100 varieties spread over 40 acres, Tasc is the largest tulip farm in the province. Located in Ridgeville, about an hour and a half or 120 kilometres from Toronto, a day trip to the farm can be a memorable one for the whole family. Each ticket comes with 10 tulips for adults and five tulips for children during the weekday, the website
says. The farm is also open to photographers and content creators who want to enjoy the colours and beauty.
Tasc hosts many events over the summer, from painting classes to pet photography among the blooms.
Green Corners
With 500,000 tulips grown annually,
Green Corners is the largest of its kind in the Ottawa area. Each ticket allows guests to leave with 10 tulips, according to the farm’s
website. The season only lasts for a couple of weeks, Green Corners says, and begins in May. The farm, which was started in 2019, also grows sunflowers, snapdragons, and zinnias.
Vankleek Hill Tulip Fields
Visitors are encouraged to stroll through the tulip fields at
Vankleek Hill’s farm, selecting the ones they want to take home. The couple behind the venture have been in the flower business for about 20 years and recently moved to a five-acre plot of land to start their own tulip farm. While it is nearly a five-hour drive or about 500 kilometres from Toronto, the trip is worthwhile for those looking to get up close to these unique flowers.
Berkelbloem’s U-pick Tulip Farm
With 500,000 tulips of different varieties and colours to pick from, a drive to
Berkelbloem’s farm won’t disappoint. The family farm is now run by a third generation of green thumbs who are proud of their Dutch heritage. Visitors can also stop at nearby cafes or restaurants and local markets to enjoy the unique sights of Ontario. Located about two hours south of Toronto or 150 kilometres, strolling through the tulip rows at Berkelbloem’s is worth the trip.
Country Cut Flowers
Located just 60 kilometres from Toronto,
Country Cut Flowers allows guests to pick their own bouquet from the various flowers they grow, including tulips. The farm offers tables and seating for visitors to sit and soak in the beauty. An on-site library with gardening books and magazines was added in 2023 to encourage visitors to learn more about nature. The site also allows guests to picnic in the area as part of the admission.
