San Francisco’s wholesome Flower Bulb Day is officially on the city’s calendar for March 4, 2023 from 1-4:30pm. The gorgeous outdoor garden will cover Union Square with 80,000 tulips, all of which are free for visitors to pick and take home!
Visitors can pick a max of 15 tulips each, and are encouraged to use public transportation as large crowds are expected. The March 4 event is meant to celebrate International Women’s Day, which is on March 8.
You can keep your bouquet alive and thriving by cutting the stems on an angle and displaying them in a place that won’t get too warm and isn’t near any fresh fruit. They’ll continue to bloom even after they’re cut.
The tulip bulbs are imported from Europe but grown here in the United States in special greenhouse conditions. The US is the largest export market for European flower bulb traders, receiving over half a billion of them per year.
Tulips are commonly associated with the Netherlands, which went through a period of “tulip mania” from 1634-1637. The flowers became so expensive that only the very rich had access to them. The Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden in Golden Gate Park is a famous SF spot to enjoy spring tulip blooms with a fascinating history — in fact, the garden’s authentic Dutch windmill was a gift from Queen Wilhelmina herself!
Union Square’s display will have a rainbow of colors available. Certain colors have special meanings: red for perfect love, yellow for happiness, white for forgiveness, and a mixed bunch for elegance.
Make sure to catch this year’s Flower Bulb Day event on March 4 at Union Square from 1-4:30pm.