The Netherlands Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Karel P.M. De Beer, planted the first tulip bulb to grow into bloom during the spring of 2008 at Legion House on 9 October 2007.

Legion House, home of Dominion Command, the Legion’s headquarters, is located at 86 Aird Place in Kanata. The ceremony was attended by the Dominion Secretary of the Legion Mr. Duane Daly.

This first bulb is representative of a donation of tulips to the Legion by the Netherlands to commemorate the Canadians part in the liberation of that nation in 1945. The Legion is also godfather to Prince Floris of the Netherlands, an honour bestowed on the organization because of its heritage. Prince Floris is a son of H.R.H. Princess Margriet, who was born in Ottawa during the Second World War.

Canadian Liberator and other Dutch Tulips

In the Netherlands a special tulip was named ‘Canadian Liberator’, a beautiful and strong red flower, to honour the Canadian soldiers who liberated Holland. What better connection can be found to symbolize the bonds of friendship between the two countries?

Dutch Ambassador De Beer will make sure ‘Canadian Liberator tulip bulbs’, as well as a selection of other Dutch tulips, will be donated to (the new gardens surrounding) the new headquarters of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Note that the planting of Ambassador Karel de Beer is indeed symbolic. This week it’s still too warm to plant them in the ground. The big load of bulbs will be planted when the temperature of the soil is below 10 degrees, probably at the end of October. Whoever is interested in planting tulips this fall should also make sure to water the bulbs substantially to get the roots going.

For more information on the red tulip ‘Canadian Liberator’ contact wholesale distributer Vanhof & Blokker, Missisauga (Ontario): www.vanhofandblokker.com