
The Truth About Tulips Today
For all who eagerly anticipate the joy of growing spectacular tulips each spring, we must share some important news. There is a very serious tulip shortage worldwide. As a result, as of this moment, Hadeco is unable to supply tulips to South African gardeners this year.
That said, we are doing everything possible to find a new source for these beloved bulbs. However, we cannot guarantee success, and if we do secure stock, quantities will almost certainly be extremely limited. We appreciate your ongoing support and invite you on a journey through Hadeco's history with tulips —where it all began and where we stand today.

Tulips by Hadeco: A Look Back
In the golden era of tulip cultivation at Hadeco, our Belfast farm in Mpumalanga flourished with vibrant fields of tulips. The climate was ideal for growing these exquisite bulbs that originate from the foothills of the Himalayas. Tulip Festivals at the farm attracted tens of thousands of visitors, celebrating the beauty of these remarkable flowers.
Fast-forward to 2018, and the impact of climate change has dramatically altered this landscape. Unpredictable weather patterns made cultivation increasingly challenging, ultimately bringing our tulip production—and the much-loved festivals—to a halt.

The State of Tulips Today
Climate change continues to disrupt global tulip farming, making reliable sourcing difficult and prices steep. While nature provides breathtaking beauty, we remain at its mercy, and erratic weather conditions pose ongoing challenges for farmers.
One major issue is delayed planting times caused by unpredictable weather, which disrupts the growing cycle and leads to complications at harvest. This often results in smaller bulbs and lower yields. A single failed crop can have lasting ripple effects, reducing the number of bulbs available for supply and cultivation in the following season.
The Netherlands is the world’s largest producer of tulips, and by all reports, sustained almost a 50% loss in production this previous season. Prices have doubled for the coming season. But the tulips we sell in South Africa anyway need to have been produced in the southern hemisphere for gardeners to achieve flowering success at home. The list of southern hemisphere producers is limited to a handful of small growers, and they have all just reported crop failures to us.
While the situation is discouraging, we are not giving up. We remain committed to finding tulips for you, our customers, and appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these difficulties. Tulips are among our most sought-after bulbs—and it’s easy to see why.
Important Facts About Tulips
If you are a dedicated to growing tulips each year or had hoped to start this winter season, here are some key insights:
Tulip bulbs require a long period of cold temperatures to stimulate root growth.
Some of this cold period can be given artificially and such bulbs are known as treated bulbs - these then take approximately six weeks to bloom after their treatment.
When purchasing tulip bulbs, you are investing in one season of spectacular blooms. After flowering, tulip bulbs should be discarded, as South Africa’s climate is too warm for successful regrowth.
Due to climate change and the current state of tulip production, prices remain high.
When travelling you may be enticed to bring home tulips from Amsterdam airport, but going across the border with plants is highly regulated to control the flow of diseases. Furthermore, tulips purchased from the northern hemisphere are very unlikely to flower in our climate without complex adaptation techniques.

A New Opportunity
At Hadeco, we believe in the lasting beauty of perennial bulbs. While tulip availability for this season is uncertain, this challenge presents an opportunity to explore other bulbs that are more at home in our climate—bulbs that will thrive and reward you with blooms year after year.
Discover our winter range here and let us grow something beautiful together with winter and spring flowering bulbs.

In the event of tulips becoming available, we will announce it through our newsletters, and stock will be available on a first come, first serve basis. You can stay informed and sign up here to receive news and updates.
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