City to tiptoe through tulips

The 2015 Rotorua Tulip Fest will be bigger and brighter come October. Photo / Supplied

Spring fever has struck the inner city, with businesses and retailers ordering close to 1500 tulip bulbs in just one week for Rotorua Tulip Fest planting. The annual spring festival is an Inner City Focus Group initiative and is taking place from October 2 to 11.

Rotorua Lakes Council project manager Brigitte Nelson said she was delighted inner city businesses were once again embracing Tulip Fest.

"Tulip Fest celebrates Rotorua Lakes Council's wonderful spring displays, in particular our magnificent tulip gardens which are widely admired by locals and visitors to our city," said Mrs Nelson. "With over 40,000 tulips of many varieties in bloom, it's little wonder our displays bring such joy to those who view them."

Mrs Nelson said while the council supports Rotorua Tulip Fest 2015, the efforts of inner city retailers and businesses were key to the inner city being in full bloom during the festival.

"Businesses were encouraged to purchase and pot up their bulbs prior to June 10, so that the inner city will be blooming with tulips throughout the 10-day festival. They have certainly stepped up and we're anticipating a brilliant floral fiesta come October."

Mrs Nelson said local gerbera grower PlentyFlora had also ordered 1500 tulip bulbs. PlentyFlora owner Harald Esendam got behind last year's inaugural Rotorua Tulip Fest, and plans to top his efforts from last year by planting a field of tulips at his nursery as a feature on a planned bus tour during the festival.

Rotorua Lakes Council's sustainable adviser Monica Quirke is behind another new Tulip Fest activity, Tulips Dig Deep. The educational project involves students from seven schools and aims to connect with children as well as adding vibrancy to the city park for the whole community to enjoy.

Four students from each of the participating schools, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Kea Street Specialist School, Westbrook Primary School, Rotorua Primary School, Kawaha Point Primary School, Rotorua Intermediate School and Seventh Day Adventist School, will gather in Kuirau Park with teachers on Friday to plant 2040 "Apricot Dream" tulip bulbs supplied by the council nursery. There will be two planting sessions, 10am to noon and 1pm to 2.30pm, with a sausage sizzle in between.