Tulips blooming early in Ottawa thanks to ideal weather
April showers have brought May flowers — tulips, and plenty of them, are popping up across the national capital region. Ideal weather and a warm winter seems to have some of the buds blossoming earlier than usual and more than a week ahead of one of the city's premiere events.
As tulips burst across Commissioners Park, residents like Hannah Willmann are immersed in the picturesque beauty of spring.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"It's vibrant, lively, the colours are everywhere," she says, while strolling along the many flower beds facing Dow's Lake "I love coming in the early morning when there's fewer crowds and when the morning light kind of highlights the flowers a bit more but I think they're gorgeous anytime."
This year, many tulips around the region seem to have made an early appearance and it's because of the temperature. It's perfect for growing but maybe not so much for one of Ottawa's largest events, the Canadian Tulip Festival.
So might these tulips, a beautiful token of gratitude from the Dutch for Canada's role in liberating the Netherlands during World War II, be at risk of wilting away before Tulipfest's May 10 start?
"If our temperatures stay low, they could be here for three to five weeks but if the temperatures get warm, you might really want to get outside and see them," says Jason Vodden, professor and technician of horticulture programs with Algonquin College. "If the temperatures had gotten warm, we could've expected to see them for as little as one week. I suspect that they might be opening this week. I would get out and see them, but I also think that for Tulipfest they are going to be right on time."
Each year, the National Capital Commission plants more than one million tulips bulbs across the region and to ensure a colourful bouquet remains in its flower beds, gardeners use a variety of species which bloom early, mid-season and late.
"The only difference with the blooms this year is because we didn't get a really cold winter. The stems are going to be a little bit shorter," says Jo Riding, Tulip Festival executive director. "But of course, people are not coming to look at stems. They're coming to look at the flowers."
On the Tulipfest opening weekend, the ByWard Market will launch its outdoor public market season, along with a Mother's Day flower market.
There will be a plethora of events happening across the city including free movies, sound of light experiences and tributes to the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The 72nd edition of the Canadian Tulip Festival runs from May 10 to 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
An airplane passenger was spotted in an overhead bin. This was the reaction
Airplane overhead compartments. Home to luggage of all shapes and sizes, the odd coat or two, several duty-free bags, a fair bit of dust and… passengers?
WATCH Infectious disease expert warns measles 'a very real threat'
A Canadian epidemiologist is warning the measles presents a 'very real threat' to public health if Canada doesn't maintain a high vaccination rate.
Judge considers dismissing indictment against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is considering Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him at a virtual court hearing Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.
With today's high rates, should you consider an interest-free halal mortgage?
A halal mortgage complies with the Islamic religious, or Shariah, law, which forbids the use of 'riba' (interest). Here's what mortgage experts say those considering 'no-interest' halal mortgages should know.
Top whisky, rum and gin brands could pull products from LCBO amid pricing dispute
A group that represents a long list of spirit brands is warning that some popular products could be pulled from the Ontario market amid a multi-million dollar dispute with the LCBO.
4 dead after Houston storms cause widespread damage, major blackouts
Power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city, an official said Friday, knocking out electricity to nearly 1 million homes and businesses.