Tulip Festival Opening On Mother's Day

SPRING GROVE — After cold weather kept the blooming at bay for the last couple of weeks, the Tulip Fest at Richardson Farm — originally expected to open April 23 — is now slated to open on Mother's Day.

And Richardson Farm owners George and Wendy Richardson say this year's display is expected to dazzle visitors. The tulips range in colors from white to pale yellow to purple — some with fringed petals and others that are smooth.

“We planted 300,000 bulbs in the fall of 2020 and 300,000 more in November 2021," said George Richardson. "It should really be a sight to see.”

The Richardsons cautioned that not all of the flowers will be in bloom on opening weekend, according to a news release. Different varieties will bloom at different times.

Between 50,000 and 100,000 plants were showing color earlier in the week. Warmer weather in the forecast should prompt more tulips to blossom at the farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove.

This year’s array, again designed by Shawn Stolworthy of MazePlay.com, features a series of gentle arches and narrow waves. Thirty varieties of tulip bulbs are planted — everything from Apeldoorn’s Elite and Border Buddies Blend to Banja Luka, Jaap Groot and Snowboard.

The tulips are planted in a northwesterly field of the 500-acre farm, adjacent to a picnic area around Richardson Lake. Five acres were planted in 2020; five more in the fall of 2021, according to a news release.

The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and the fest is closed on Mondays. The 3,800-square-foot Richardson Farm gift shop will be open until 7 p.m. and food trucks will be onsite daily during fest hours. There is also a lakeside picnic area at the farm, yard games and live music on the weekends.

Admission is $12 per person on Tuesday through Friday and $15 per person on weekends. Children under 3 years old are free. Each person admitted to the fest will receive a cut-your-own tulip.

For more information and to check what is currently in bloom at Richardson Farm you can visit the farm's website or their Facebook page.