22 September 2016Ottawa among 150 communities to receive tulip garden to commemorate Canada 150_ (press release) _ ** _ Ottawa, ON (September 20, 2016)— _ **Thanks to the Canadian Garden Council and a generous donation from Vesey’s Bulbs of PEI, 150 communities and organizations from coast to coast have been selected to receive a spectacular 150th Celebration Garden. Each garden consists of 1,000 red and white tulip bulbs to be planted this fall and bloom next spring just in time to say “Happy Birthday to Our Home and Native Land”.The tulip is an international symbol of friendship and of spring. For Canadians, especially, the tulip is a symbol of our national ethos of kindness and friendship, witnessed, in particular, by our providing refuge to the Dutch Royal family during WWII.** A Canadian Garden Council Initiative **Alexander Reford, President of the Canadian Garden Council said, “Selecting successful applicants was a difficult task for our jury as we received more than 400 applications for these special gardens, more than we ever expected. Gardens play a significant role in Canadian culture and heritage and we are delighted that these 150th Celebration Gardens commemorate who we are as Canadians and how recipient communities have played a role in defining, developing and growing Canada’s international reputation as a nation of friends.” ** Vesey’s Bulbs’ Contribution to the 150th Celebrations **John Barrett, Director of Sales, Marketing & Development for Vesey’s Bulbs said, “Considering that the creation of Canada was a result of the Fathers of Confederation meeting in PEI, and we are a PEI-based company, we see the 150th Celebration Garden program as a great opportunity with which to celebrate the country’s sesquicentennial. It is our pleasure to contribute more than 150,000 red and white tulip bulbs to 150th Anniversary festivities across the country.” ** Niagara’s Celebration Garden Promenade **Thanks to a further donation from Vesey’s, The Niagara Parks Commission will receive 25,000 red and white tulip bulbs to be planted in Queen Victoria Park adjacent to Niagara Falls, one of Canada’s most significant gateways and iconic destinations for visitors from the US and the rest of the world. The Niagara 150th Celebration Garden Promenade will be a symbolic link to the 150 Celebration Gardens across the country. The 150th Celebration Gardens will be featured on the Canada’s Garden Route website[ www.canadasgardenroute.ca ](http://www.canadasgardenroute.ca/)< [ http://www.canadasgardenroute.ca ](http://www.canadasgardenroute.ca/)> < [ http://www.canadasgardenroute.ca ](http://www.canadasgardenroute.ca/)> The Canadian Garden Council thanks Vesey’s Bulbs for their special gift and all those that made this program possible: Canada Post, The Niagara Parks Commission, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, Garden Making Magazine, Enterprise Canada, Gardens BC, Québec Gardens’ Association and the Ontario Garden Council.