Don't Panic

Tulipa White Emperor probably regrets a little bit that she was so early this year.

The telephone is red hot with many concerned customers who wonder whether the flower bulbs they have lovingly planted will survive the frost and snow.

An understandable question, but… Don't panic.

Flower bulbs that naturally emerge early above ground are almost always resistant to a bit of headwind. Often the origin of their ancestors lies in areas where the weather can be much icier than here.

Take for example the Crocus , the grandpas and grandmas of this early flowering spring bulbous plant can be found in the high mountains, where they bloom every spring just below the snow line. To find the ancestors of our large-flowered Crocus you have to climb into the mountains and climb.

The Crocus vernus in the Alps

If you are lucky you will find a few, they are really right in that area where the snow is melting. Icy wind, frost every night but with a beautiful view, so nothing to complain about for the Crocus . If you have seen this you will understand that such a bulbous plant laughs at a few nights of frost in a Northern European garden, I even think she likes it.

The nice thing is that the Crocuses in such areas bloom for months. Not because the flowers are so durable or because it is so cold there, no, because there is a snow line for months. It sometimes starts in March, down in the valley the snow disappears and with a bit of luck there is a stray Crocus here and there. And in May they still bloom, but now the snow line is high up on the mountain and if you take the time to go there you could encounter them in considerable numbers.

Narcissus bulbocodium in Spain

The Narcissus is also a bulbous plant that can grow in places where we as bulb lovers would not dare to plant a Narcissus . They sometimes bloom in places where you regret not having brought thermal clothing. I was going to Spain anyway; what warm clothing. Totally wrong. Blistering cold, watery eyes from the sharp wind and a drop on your nose and cold feet from soaking wet shoes, that's right, that's exactly where the Narcissi are.

Daffodils along the road opposite our house. Next week I will send you another photo of these Daffodils, then you will see that they look as if the weather has always been nice

What I want to make clear is that almost all early flowering bulbs come from areas where the weather has somewhat greater extremes than in our Northern European maritime climate. The transition from winter to spring is always accompanied by large changes in temperature. The bulbs in your garden are really resistant to that. Even the Hyacinth, whose bulb can freeze during a really harsh winter, can easily withstand a few night frosts or snow showers.

The Fluwel show garden

We also get a lot of questions about when the Fluwel show garden will be blooming again. Looking at the fortnightly weather forecast, it will be a very normal spring in terms of flowering time. The second half of April and the first week of May, the bulb fields in the Kop van Noord-Holland, and therefore also our Fluwel show garden, will be at their most beautiful.
You can find our show garden next to the Fluwel barn at Belkmerweg 20A in Burgervlotbrug.

Land of Velvet

If you are going to make a round of Noordkop, come and have a cup of coffee at Land van Fluwel. Because now the good news, I waited until the last moment for that… Land van Fluwel is open again. After a few years of open-close, yes-no, yes-no fuss, we hope to be able to entertain everyone again this year at our fun play and activity park.
In addition to the playground, there is also a cozy restaurant in the farm where you will enjoy apple pie, lunch or other nibbles. So if you go for a round of flowers... you are most welcome.

Narcissus Texel Sun

I'm going outside again soon, because rain or shine, there is work to be done in the Narcissus. And soon a Narcissus grower from Texel, who also grows this beautiful Narcissus Texel Sun, will come and have a look. He is interested in more new varieties.

Kind regards,

Carlos van der Veek.

Begonia On Top Pink Halo

And oh yes, there are still a few Zantedeschias , Dahlias and other summer flowering bulbs waiting for some loving care in a beautiful garden, so if you still have a spot for them ☺