Tulips made in Sweden

Swedes are hands down world champions in buying tulips, consuming around 150–160 million tulips each year. 

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  Tulips are grown from Malmö in the south to Sundsvall in the north. Here, Andreas Nilsson, Caroline Nilsson and Bertil Johansson harvest tulips at Målsta Blommor outside Sundsvall (over four hours north of Stockholm by car). Photo: Christina Uhlin

• We somewhat incorrectly quoted statistics from Jordbruksverket (the Swedish Board of Agriculture) in our latest issue. Fact is, however, Swedes are hands down world champions in buying tulips, consuming around 150–160 million tulips each year. During the peak season between January and Easter, over a million tulips are sold daily, making it one of Sweden’s most popular flowers. The tulip is more than just a flower: it is part of Swedish culture, just like cinnamon buns, Lucia celebrations or semlor. Tulips are nowadays available in stores already in the fall and for Christmas and New Year, but for most Swedes, tulips are intimately associated with the winter months. Out with the Christmas tree and in with new fresh tulips. It signals a new start and creates the feeling of spring, long before the real spring has arrived. Many Swedes have less money to spend, and groceries are more expensive. This also applies to tulips, which have become more expensive as a result of increased costs for growers, not least the Swedish growers who have high quality and environmental requirements to live up to. Despite this, there is an intrinsic value in choosing Swedish tulips — both for everyday joy and to support local growers.
  The tulip is one of the few cut flowers that is still grown on a large scale in Sweden and is also most popular with the Swedish people. It is an everyday flower that brightens many kitchen tables, but is also popular in bridal bouquets, on Valentine's Day and as a gift.

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  As covered in our most recent issue, tulips are extremely popular in Sweden. There is a wide variety of colors and varieties, which makes them ideal for both everyday flowers and festive occasions. Photo: Christina Uhlin

• A living tradition in Sweden
  Although Sweden lacks large-scale production of tulip bulbs, there is a long tradition of growing the flower locally. Most tulip bulbs are grown in Holland, where the climate and soil are suitable for bulb cultivation. However, the actual growing, the work of getting the bulb to develop into a finished tulip, is mostly done in Sweden by skilled gardeners. Many nurseries are family businesses where knowledge and passion for growing tulips has been passed down for generations. Behind every tulip lies great skill and craftsmanship, and Swedish growers are constantly working to produce tulips of the highest quality through the selection of bulbs and careful handling in their greenhouses.
  Sweden's climate also provides naturally good conditions, since the cold is needed for the bulb to develop a flower. After cold treatment, the tulips are allowed to grow in greenhouses heated with district heating and biofuel until they are ready to be harvested. Tulip plantations are spread across large parts of the country, from Malmö in the south to Sundsvall in the north. Locally grown tulips are transported shorter distances, which reduces the environmental impact and contributes to the sustainability of the flowers. Most packages will include information on the nursery the tulips come from.

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  There is a wide range of both food and plants marked with “Från Sverige” (From Sweden). When you visit Sweden, find out if the tulip is grown in Sweden by looking for the Från Sverige label. It’s the same label you find on many foods, such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat and eggs. When tulips carry the label, it means the bulbs have been planted, grown and harvested by Swedish growers.

• CAPS: As covered in our most recent issue, tulips are extremely popular in Sweden. There is a wide variety of colors and varieties, which makes them ideal for both everyday flowers and festive occasions. Photo: Christina Uhlin

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  Photo: Christina Uhlin

• Tulips are grown from Malmö in the south to Sundsvall in the north. Here, Andreas Nilsson, Caroline Nilsson and Bertil Johansson harvest tulips at Målsta Blommor outside Sundsvall. Photo: Christina Uhlin

• There is a wide range of both food and plants marked with “Från Sverige” (From Sweden). When you visit Sweden, find out if the tulip is grown in Sweden by looking for the Från Sverige label. It’s the same label you find on many foods, such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat and eggs. When tulips carry the label, it means the bulbs have been planted, grown and harvested by Swedish growers.