WWII anniversary honoured by Veseys Seeds with tulip donation

Veseys Seeds is marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with a special donation.

The company, which has sold seeds and gardening supplies from its location in York, P.E.I. for 76 years, has donated tulip bulbs to 140 organizations in Canada. 

Each organization will receive 700 white and red tulip bulbs and 7,000 will be donated to the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, which was started after Holland sent Canada 100,000 bulbs as a thank you for its help during the war.

"It's really quite amazing how Holland's recognition of Canada's role in the liberation of Holland 70 years ago is so alive and well," said John Barrett, Veseys Seeds sales, marketing and development director . 

"In Holland even young children are very very familiar with the story and about Canada's role and how thankful they are today for Canada's involvement." 

Holland's Royal family took refuge in Canada during the Second World War and Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa in January, 1943. 

Vesey's 100,000 bulbs — matching the Dutch Royal family's original gift — will be planted at the beginning of November and will bloom in the spring. 

Canada Post is assisting with the shipping. 

"We're sort of hoping to try and keep that memory alive in Canada to the same degree that it's been kept alive in Holland," said Barrett.