No other flower is as mysterious and exciting as the tulip. A simple, yet striking flower from the high mountains of Central Asia and were first cultivated in Iran (Persia) as early as the 10th century. The tulip first was discovered and taken home by plant hunters of the Ottoman Empire. It became a famous and beloved flower during the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century. From there the tulip started its journey throughout Europe and finally ended up in the hands of the Dutch who gave it her world-wide fame. The tulip is an intriguing flower which has inspired artists, designers, painters and florists.
Many historical sources have evidence of how tulips came to Europe over the centuries. By the 16th century, tulips were being cultivated in the Ottoman Empire. They were among the most prized flowers for the Ottoman Empire and became a symbol of their power.
Ottoman sultans and wealthy elites were known for their love of tulips. They held tulip festivals, which were attended by people from all over the world. This fascination with tulips inspired a unique decorative style which features motifs of tulips on carpets, clothing, paintings, buildings, and pottery.
Nobody knows for sure who brought tulips from the Ottoman Empire to Western Europe, but it is credited to an ambassador of the Habsburg Empire in Constantinople (Istanbul) who brought some tulip bulbs to Vienna. Botanist Carolus Clusius increased the popularity of tulips in the late 16th century. He planted tulip bulbs at the Vienna Imperial Botanical Gardens in 1573 and made the first botanical research into tulips in 1592.
He was then appointed to be the director of Leiden University’s botanic garden, planting tulips there in late 1593.
Tulips had reached the Netherlands and were about to bloom in popularity!
How tulips became a Dutch symbol
The Dutch became so enamored with tulips in the 17th century that their passion for the flower sparked a phenomenon known as ‘Tulip Mania.’
During this time, tulip bulbs became incredibly valuable and were traded like stocks on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. At the height of ‘Tulip Mania’, some rare tulip bulbs were worth more than a house!
Tulips became a popular subject in art, especially during the 17th century when artists painted still-life portraits of the flowers. These paintings not only captured the beauty of the flower but also served as a status symbol for the wealthy.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, tulip growing, along with other flowers, became a major industry in the Netherlands.
The country became the Centre of global tulip trade, with bulbs exported all around the world. New techniques and varieties were cultivated.
The association of tulips with the Netherlands was cemented in the 1950s with the song Tulips from Amsterdam. Originally sung in German, soon Dutch and English versions followed. It became a hit for the English singer Max Bygraves in 1958, as well as many other singers around the world since.
Today, the Netherlands is the largest producer of tulips in the world, and the flower is a major part of the country’s economy. Tulips have become one of the most popular symbols of the Netherlands, reflected in many paintings, artworks and souvenirs.
Tulips in spring 2025
Every year millions of tulips are blooming in and around Amsterdam. The tulip season in Holland marks the beginning of spring. The colorful flowers and the rising temperatures make many people from all over the world happy.
When is Tulip Season in Holland?
When you are in Holland you will see tulips in the flower shops from December till around May. These tulips are not growing on flower fields but in greenhouses. You will not see any tulip fields in December, January and February. A blooming tulip field in March is also very rare but possible. Most people want to see the outdoor tulip fields. The best month to see tulips in Holland is April. The best chance of seeing the most beautiful tulip fields is from the second week of April to early May 2025.
Tulips growing on the tulip fields are mostly grown for the flower bulb and not for the flower itself. Most tulip fields are therefore headed after 2 or 3 weeks of flowering so that more energy can go to the flower bulb instead of the flower. In Keukenhof Gardens and at the tulip show gardens, the tulips are not cut back and therefore the tulips there will bloom until mid-May.
Where can you visit the most beautiful tulip fields in the Netherlands?
The most stunning tulip fields can be visited during the Tulip Festival Amsterdam, taking place in 2025 from March 20 to May 11. During this time, several tulip gardens are open to the public, including Keukenhof Gardens, the Tulip Experience, and the Tulip Barn. Visitors can also explore a tulip farm or join various sightseeing tours through the blooming tulip fields, which are primarily used for tulip bulb production. (Sourced from various).
