flowers in swannanoa

Asheville is Blooming

10,000 Tulips Bring New Life to Swannanoa
Article last updated 05/09/2025

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (April 11, 2025) - Following the hurricane, Dutch-born Swannanoa resident and tulip wholesaler Marco Rozenbroek reached out to his friends at DutchGrown, a European flower bulb company, to see if they could help restore beauty to his adopted hometown.

The response? More than 10,000 tulip bulbs—shipped straight from the Netherlands to Grovemont Park.

Today, the park is a breathtaking sea of color. Petals in rich purples, snowy whites, and vibrant reds now bloom where floodwaters once stood, a living symbol of recovery and renewal.

“Flowers give hope,” Rozenbroek said to Laura Hackett of Asheville's Blue Ridge Public Radio. “Planting a bulb is believing in tomorrow.”

This tulip garden isn’t just a local feel-good story — it’s a reminder that Asheville and the surrounding region is blooming and more vibrant than ever. From mountain hikes lined with wildflowers to downtown streets buzzing with art and music, this season brings the beauty of new beginnings.

Come see what’s blooming in Asheville.

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Here is a gallery of rights-approved images of the donated Dutch tulips blooming in Swannanoa: https://platform.crowdriff.com/m/s-ZGbzpGG-B4TWrFWM

All images are for editorial use only and should be credited to ExploreAsheville.com. Feel free to reach out for more information or partner contacts – thanks!