Below you will find the story of Dutch Hollow Tulips, from humble beginnings to present day.  Please take some time to read our story and learn more about Dutch Hollow Tulips. 

History of Dutch Hollow Tulips
Growing tulips began as a fun, family activity.  We would give them to friends and wait for their reactions.  A few common reactions were: "these are just so beautiful and big" and "mine never turn out like this."  We always thanked them for the complements and replied, "...must be all the cow manure we put in the soil!"  For us, this was actually not far from the truth.

My parents, John "Hans" and Alice "Alie" Bos, immigrated in 1959 from the Netherlands to Artesia, California, which was a far cry from the cold, wet weather of Holland.  Upon arriving in California, my father worked milking cows for other dairy farmers.  He eventually partnered with another Dutch dairyman, Bas Van Dam, and moved his family to Chino, CA.  During this time, Mom stayed busy raising four boys, while developing a love for gardening.  She tried to grow everything, whether it was indoors or out.

My parents hard work paid off, and they were able to buy and move the dairy to Modesto, California in 1982.  As the youngest of four boys, I was just 11 years old when we moved. Mom and Dad built a home, and my mom planted the entire yard herself.  Being Dutch, my mom always had a fondness for the tulip.  She would always plant hundreds of tulips each year. Of course, everyone wanted to know how she was able to grow them in a foreign climate, compared to Holland.

Following this tradition, I began growing tulips for myself just five years ago.  I started planting several hundred bulbs with several varieties.  Now we plant up to 25,000 bulbs with 90 varieties.  We learn something new each day out in the field about growing tulips in California.  My goal is to provide you with top quality tulips!