Tulips could bloom early if heat wave persists
Posted Mar 21, 2012 05:17:02 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The heat wave hitting the capital has been great for those of us wanting to sun tan, hit the patios and simply enjoy the great outdoors, but it has lead to the acceleration of growth for Ottawa’s infamous tulip blooms. They’re already starting to surface with tiny bits of green poking through the soil.
Mario Fournier, the manager for urban landscaping with the National Capital Commission, said this is early for the flowers to begin surfacing and the timing of the blooms this year will depend entirely on mother nature. He said if temperatures return to normal it will slow the growth process again and the flowers will be back on track. He adds what little green has already surfaced will withstand a dip in temperatures.
“If they’re still pretty dense they can sustain some frost but not minus 20 or minus 15. They can withstand a little bit of snow, little bit of frost but not heavy,” he said, adding in all likelihood the flowers will be blooming in early May, if maybe a little earlier this year than usual.
Meanwhile organizers at the Tulip Festival said they are not worried about whether the blooms will be there.
“It’s a bit too early to say if the tulips are going to be blooming too early this year as they’re announcing colder weather, so we’re keeping very positive,” said Bernadette Sarazin, the spokesperson for the festival. She told 1310News it would go on as planned with or without the blooms and organizers are very excited for the new partnerships they’ve created with businesses and the B.I.A.s in Ottawa.
Sarazin said to expect programming information to be released later this week when we’ll learn more about the theme for this year’s festival which is The 60th Anniversary. The festival runs May 4-21.
