Canadian birthday tulip bulbs coming to Olds

As part of Canada's 150th birthday celebration next year, a special strain of tulip bulbs has been created.

It's white with red flames and when it blooms, it resembles the Canadian flag.

The bulbs are being provided to Canada as part of Holland's ongoing expression of gratitude for harbouring members of its royal family during the Second World War and for the liberation of that country by Canadian soldiers.

Home Hardware is the exclusive supplier of the bulbs.

Olds Home Hardware manager Tasha Bieber says the bulbs will be coming to the B & M Home Hardware store in late August or early September so they can be planted this fall and come up next spring.

“They're fall bulbs, so you plant them in late August/early September and they come up for Canada's 150th birthday in 2017.”

“I have 500 boxes coming; 500 boxes of 25,” she adds.

Three hundred of the bulbs will be donated to the Town of Olds to be planted throughout the community. The remainder will be available for sale.

Bieber says people are already expressing interest in the bulbs.

[email protected]