Warmer days send tulips up, weeks before Holland fest

A chilly spring? That would be fine with the folks in Holland in western Michigan, where tulips are celebrated during a May festival.

Many plants already are poking through the ground, part of the 425,000 tulip bulbs planted last fall. Tulip Time marketing director Susan Zalnis says she can’t believe she’s “cheering” for cool weather, which would slow down the tulips.

Tulip Time still is weeks away, May 7-14 in Holland.

Tulip Time executive director Gwen Auwerda tells The Holland Sentinel she’s not alarmed because a variety of bulbs were planted last fall. She says some develop early while others will pop up later.

Holland’s high temperatures in March have been running about three degrees warmer than usual.  (AP)