Fungus Takes Toll On Jackson Park Tulip Display

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April 2012 tulip display

The City of Windsor’s Horticulture Department has uncovered a fungus in the sunken gardens of Jackson Park, and that means next spring there will be no tulip display.

The fungus, botrytis is usually caused by cool and rainy weather in the spring and summer but will remain on the bulb, plant debris or in the soil over the winter. When spores form the following spring, they spread to healthy flowers nearby. Flower buds will become spotted, with those badly infected not opening at all. Small whitish spots will develop on colored tulip flowers, while yellow to tan lesions develop on white flowers. For that reason, Horticulture staff has decided to leave the sunken gardens in a furrow state which will lead to the fungus eliminating itself.

“This is disappointing, because we know how much residents and visitors enjoy the flowers in the sunken garden,” said Horticulture Manager Dave Tootill. “But by leaving this area furrow, we’ll be able to ensure the rest of Jackson Park remains beautiful.”

They city says that there will still be approximately 10,000 tulips planted in other areas at Jackson Park and 40,000 bulbs will be placed in other parks around the city including Willistead Park, Coventry Gardens and Dieppe Park.

In order to brighten up the sunken gardens next summer, Horticulture staff say they will be planting the annuals during the second week of May rather than waiting until the long weekend at the end of the month.