Cor van der Hulst, Growing and Showing the Best

Cor van der Hulst, grower for Dutch Gardens.

Cor van der Hulst was raised on a dairy farm, but growing bulbs has been his passion for more than 40 years. He began his career in the bulb-growing business with about 400 pounds of crocus bulbs. Today he grows 12 acres of crocus bulbs and harvests about 4 million of them every year. On his farm in Holland's northern bulb growing district, Cor also grows many other kinds of flower bulbs, including 60 acres of tulips, 60 acres of lilies, 12 acres of daffodils and 10 acres of snowdrops.

Angelique Tulips

Among the many varieties that Cor van der Hulst grows for Dutch Gardens is the incomparable Angelique, one of the world's most beloved tulips. He also provides Dutch Gardens with Elegant Lady lilies and Orangerie daffodils.

After all his years as a grower, Cor still loves his work, and particularly enjoys entering his flowers in Holland's various flower shows. These shows are an opportunity for growers to display the high quality of their flowers.

The most prestigious of these shows takes place in Breezand at the beginning of March. About 50 growers usually participate, and thousands of growers, wholesale buyers, as well as members of the public, come to admire the flowers. Cor typically exhibits 25-50 varieties at the Breezand show. All the bulbs that he enters must be potted in the fall, cooled over the winter, and then carefully forced into bloom for the opening day of the show. It's a labor of love that has earned Cor many prizes and well-deserved recognition as an expert grower.