Spring Flowers: A Guide to Blooming in Ottawa

As the cold winter months come to an end, the arrival of spring brings with it the promise of new life and renewal. One of the most beautiful ways to experience the season is through the emergence of spring flowers. In Ottawa, there are many varieties of flowers that bloom during this time, adding bursts of colour and fragrance to the city’s parks, gardens, and streets. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular spring flowers in Ottawa and where you can find them.

Tulips

Tulips are one of the most iconic spring flowers in Ottawa, thanks to the annual Canadian Tulip Festival. The festival, which takes place in May, celebrates the city’s strong ties with the Netherlands and the gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs given to Canada by the Dutch in 1945. Today, over a million tulips bloom throughout the city during the festival.

If you want to experience the beauty of tulips outside of the festival, head to the Commissioners Park or Dow’s Lake area, where you can find the largest concentration of tulips in the city. Commissioners Park is home to the official tulip beds of the festival and features over 300,000 tulips in a rainbow of colours. Dow’s Lake, on the other hand, offers stunning views of tulips by the water, making it a popular spot for photo opportunities.

Daffodils

Daffodils are another popular spring flower in Ottawa. Known for their bright yellow colour and trumpet-shaped blooms, they are a symbol of hope and new beginnings. Daffodils can be found in many of Ottawa’s parks and gardens, including Major’s Hill Park, Rideau Hall, and the Dominion Arboretum.

If you’re looking for a particularly breathtaking display of daffodils, head to the Central Experimental Farm. The farm’s Ornamental Gardens feature over 50,000 daffodils in a variety of colours and varieties, including the classic yellow trumpet daffodil and the white and yellow bi-coloured daffodil.

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms are a beloved spring flower in Ottawa, just as they are in Japan. In fact, Ottawa has the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in Canada, thanks to a gift of 3,000 trees from Japan in 1959. Today, the trees can be found in many of the city’s parks and neighbourhoods, including the Central Experimental Farm, Dow’s Lake, and the Glebe.

The best time to see cherry blossoms in Ottawa is typically in late April or early May, depending on the weather. When the trees are in full bloom, they create a stunning pink and white canopy that is a must-see for anyone visiting the city in the spring.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are another popular spring flower in Ottawa, known for their sweet fragrance and vibrant colours. They can be found in many of the city’s gardens and parks, including the Dominion Arboretum and the Ornamental Gardens at the Central Experimental Farm.

One of the best places to see hyacinths in Ottawa is at the Ottawa City Hall. Every year, the city’s horticulture team plants over 25,000 hyacinth bulbs in front of the building, creating a colourful and fragrant display that is enjoyed by both visitors and residents.

Lilacs

Lilacs are a classic spring flower that can be found in many of Ottawa’s parks and gardens. Known for their delicate purple flowers and sweet fragrance, lilacs are a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers alike.

One of the best places to see lilacs in Ottawa is at the Central Experimental Farm. The farm’s Ornamental Gardens feature over 20 different varieties