Union Square Park in New York City (NYC) was a parade of colours on Sunday, March 30, as the city celebrated its second iteration of Tulip Day. Conceptualised by Royal Anthos, a Dutch organisation that represents flower and tree agriculture worldwide, the event shared the beauty and thrill of tulips with New Yorkers, a fitting way to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Over 170,000 tulips in various types and hues decorated the park, with visitors invited to make their own bouquets of 10 tulips each for free. Tulip Day is not just a garden enthusiast’s dream, but also a way to honour the legacy of the first Dutch settlers who made their way to America over 400 years ago and lived in the colony of New Netherland, which covered parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.

The origins of the tulip can be traced to Asia, and believed to be first cultivated in the 10th century in Persia (modern-day Iran). However, it wasn’t until the 16th century that the flower found its way to Europe. Dutch diplomats started to receive tulips as gifts from dignitaries of the Ottoman Empire and botanist Carolus Clusius planted them in a garden in Leiden, Netherlands, in 1594. It was then that the country’s love affair with the exotic flower began. Often recognised as a welcoming sign of spring, tulips were in high demand in the 17th century for their unique ability to transform from a single-colour bloom to a flamed flower with contrasting hues come the following season. The allure of these beauties in Holland led to the craze known as ‘tulipmania’ where the wealthy filled their gardens with the coveted flamed tulip. Entrenched in Dutch history, the tulip has become one of the most popular symbols in the country, reflected in many paintings, artworks and souvenirs.

It is the beauty of these flowers that had Dutch Consul General to New York Ahmed Dadou excited to once again bring the experience to New York after a successful inaugural staging last year. “The tulip has enjoyed a unique significance throughout our history, and it’s remarkable to see the joy that this very Dutch flower continues to bring to people all around the world,” Dadou said. “We’re delighted to collaborate with Royal Anthos, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and Union Square Partnership…bringing New Yorkers a dash of spring colour and a bit of our tradition to Union Square Park.”

Sources:

https://www.europeana.eu/en/stories/how-the-tulip-became-a-symbol-of-turkey-and-the-netherlands

https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/get-inspired/nl-in-7-stories/blooming-netherlands

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nlinny_tulip-day-nyc-is-back-pick-your-free-bouquet-activity-7302324312978378752-OpXr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm

A sea of tulips on display at Union Square Park in New York City for Tulip Day 2025. TulipDayNYC

Visitors were allowed to select a bouquet of 10 tulips each for free during Tulip Day. IG/@nyclovesnyc

The tulip was first cultivated in the 10th century in Iran and introduced to Europe in the 16th century .IG/@nyclovesnyc

Tulips were in high demand in the 17th century in Europe for their unique ability to transform from a single-colour bloom to a flamed flower with contrasting hues in the next season. @NLinNY

Recognised as one of the more popular symbols in Holland, the tulip is reflected in many paintings, artworks and souvenirs. IG/@nyclovesnyc