The fields of flowers began to appear as the Dutch immigrants arrived in the 1950's. Is it possible that there are more acres of tulips under cultivation in Skagit County now than in all of Holland? The fields of flowers throughout the area are all privately owned...and closed to the public for most of the year. But during the month of April...we are invited to come and see!
It's been a rather wet and windy April so far...not ideal for tip-toeing through tulip fields...but perfect kite-flying weather...for sure! These kites stayed afloat with no effort during our entire visit to Tulip Town.
Though it may look as though we are touring a show garden...in reality it is a working farm. And the workers were hard at it when we passed by.
Pink...
red...
white...
yellow...
...or purple. It's hard to pick a favorite!
As we neared the end of our tulip tour...we saw the dark clouds rolling in. 
One last stop for a group photo...and the rain began...serious rain!
We hurried to the indoor area...which includes a most informative display. Here we could find a name to go with any of those beautiful tulips we saw blooming out in the fields. They come with great names...like 'green emporer' or 'all that jazz'. For us...it was not so much about getting an education in growing tulips...as it was about experiencing the beauty of the fields in bloom...together with some great friends!The earth laughs in flowers.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hey Judy I am wanting to try a few watercolors of the tulip fields. Would it be okay if I used this first photo? I already have one of Lovella's sketched up. You ladies are inspiring me.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures from a lovely day!
Ever since I first saw these fields right here on your blog, I've wanted to see them in person some day. They're beyond beautiful. Some year you should grab Cindy and have a blog meet there. Hope that she'll share her watercolor of this wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Judy!!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking that "a woman who is". . needs to come see your photos .. they are spectacular Judy .. really lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt's pelting hail here today. .crazy for the last 1/2 hour. I've never seen this much hail.
I want to go back. .but maybe not today.
I'd like to go see these tulip fields someday! Amazing! Thanks for sharing these lovely photos Judy!
ReplyDeleteTo 'a woman who is'...you go right ahead and paint to your heart's delight. And when you are all done...we want a show and tell...of course.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!! what a fun day you girls had!
ReplyDeleteWe have one tulip farm here too - I want to make sure I get there while they're blooming. It will be early this year.
Gorgeous tulips - all those rich colours make me smile. What a wonderful day to spend with friends.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that Skagit County may have more tulips than Holland! I am not really a pink person but I think I like the pink, and then the purple, tulips the best as they are unusual,
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved to our house many years ago i planted 100 tulip bulbs. Sadly the squirrels have eaten them all. Now I have daffodils and hyacinths as they seem to leave those bulbs alone.
I remember my mom and dad going to LaConner's and now..I was the lucky one to go along and enjoy this special tulip day with a bunch of new found friends.
ReplyDeleteThose are gorgeous photos.
Wow, all those tulips are gorgeous!! Red ones are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteJust curious: Do they farm to sell the flowers or the bulbs? I remember reading that in Holland they cut off the flowers and disgard as they want the bulb to strengthen.
ReplyDeleteIt made me sick to think of all those lovely Holland blooms just being cast aside.
Jill...It's not about the flowers...that's a fringe benefit! They are all about growing bulbs.
ReplyDeleteWhen is the best time to plant tulip bulbs? I just have a few this year but I would like loads more.
ReplyDeleteI have a problem with the school kids picking them as they pass by...
One word - WOW!
ReplyDeleteThe colours are so very beautiful - just the thing for a grey day,
I love the quote - too true!
Love the "Tulip Festival", been there a couple of times a long time ago. Your photos are breath taking Judy. What an amazing day, rain and all!!!
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