Peak tulip bloom time is weather dependent. Typically April 25 - May 5 is the absolute peak period for viewing tulip fields and gardens. Some years; however, the peak tulip period falls slightly earlier or later.

Visitors to Holland will find the months of April & May to be highly colorful in any year, with different flowers blooming successfully throughout the entire period.

For general information on Holland, call the Netherlands Board of Tourism at

phone: 1-888-GO HOLLAND

(1-888-464-6552)

E-Mail: info@goholland.com

Internet: www.goholland.com

Keukenhof Gardens

The famous Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse is "the" flower attraction of Holland. Every year new theme gardens with millions flowers are on display.

Summer: August 2 through September 16, 2008 featuring begonias, dahlias, lilies and other summer blooming varieties.

Spring: March 20 through May 18, 2008. The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. including Sundays and holidays. (Ticket offices close at 6:00 p.m.)

Contact: Keukenhof Gardens

address: P.O. Box 66 2160AB Lisse Netherlands

phone:011-31-252-465555

fax: 011-31-252-465565

E-Mail: info@keukenhof

Internet site: http://www.keukenhof.nl

This colorful parade of the bulb region starts in Noordwijk and ends in Haarlem. Parades are held in April, August and September.

Contact: Flower Parade

address:P.O. Box 115 2160 AC Lisse

tel: 0031 (0) 252-428237

fax: 0031 (0) 252-424796

site:www.flowerbulb.nl/bloemencorso

Held on the second Saturday in May, windmills across Holland are open to the public.

Contact: Visitors Windmills

phone: 011-31-78-6914118

Internet site: www.holland.com

They make it possible for you to make real-time reservations anywhere in Holland using their new system.

This one-of-a-kind national Dutch clearinghouse provides easy, efficient access to hotel information and booking service for hotel rooms throughout Holland. It is a non-profit service, jointly supported by the Dutch and is thus not affiliated with any one group of hotels — it represents everyone. The result: a one-stop call for hotel booking: just tell them: 1) city, 2) dates, 3) what kind of hotel you are looking for .... fancy, low budget, near museums, near train station, must have modem hook-ups, on a canal, charming, modern, whatever. They'll tell you what is available on the dates you give them, at what price ranges. You tell them what you want — and they will book it for you on your credit card. Ask for faxed confirmation.

This is quite simply a fantastic service! Typically Dutch in its efficiency and thoughtful service. While we cannot be held responsible for every person's experience with NRC — we've used it since 1990 and never once had a problem. (We just wish NYC could get something like this going!)

phone: 011 31 70 419 5544 (English)

fax: 011 31 70 419 5519

internet site: www.hotelres.nl

ABOUT CUT TULIPS

When buying cut tulips, there are some things to be aware of. Buy tulips that are closed, but that have color on top above their stems. If you buy tulips that are showing no color or are all green, they will not open when disconnected from the ground. Cut stems at an angle before placing them into bowls. Tulips will continue growing after being cut, so be aware of this when planning a vase. Also, tulips tend to grow in many different directions, but they can be straightened when wrapped in some kind of stiff foil for an hour in water. To keep tulips alive, place them in a cool place and give them lots of water. Since they drink constantly, youll also need to change their water every other day.

Because tulips often require long, cold winters, they grow well if chilled for around four weeks before planting. Consider placing bulbs in refrigerator six to eight weeks before planting them. When cooling tulips in this way, make sure to plant them deep and in a cool spot so that they do not become too hot too quickly. This will result in no flowers. Tulip bulbs require their own special care. Since bulbs are to be planted in the fall, it is important that they not be nicked, harmed or heated excessively before this time. It is best to store bulbs in a cool place, like a shaded shed or inside the house, so that they incur no damage. Never remove the skin, or outer layer, of a tulip bulb because this will destroy it.

Several diseases can strike tulips. Some destroy the flower, some merely make it less pretty. Blight causes brown flecks in the leaves, and often turns the plant gray after a few weeks. Flowers with blight will "burst," or become limp and develop stripes and spots of brown and gray. This is a well-known disease among tulips, and bulbs that have been infected should be burned so that the disease can be contained.

Gray bulb rot can strike if the bulb is under the ground in water for too long. The bulb becomes too wet and soggy to open or rise above the ground, and in effect, the tulip "drowns." Tulip breaking causes spots and stripes on flowers, and results in smaller plants. This disease can't be cured, but if bulbs are dug up and new ones planted it is likely that they will be fine. Crown rot causes the bulb and flower to die under the ground. This is a rare kind of rot, and bulbs with it should be dug up and burned to prevent other plants from getting the disease.

In conclusion, care of tulips requires time and planning. The best tulips are usually chilled before they are placed in highly absorbent ground. Be sure to give cut tulips lots of water, and always cut stems at an angle so that they can drink properly. If tulips are planted correctly and remain healthy, you could enjoy the fruits of their flowering for five years of more!