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LEHI — Behind 55 acres, 15 themed gardens, and a quarter of a million colorful tulips from the heart of Holland lies a romantic story.
On Valentine’s Day of 1995, a man named Alan Ashton purchased the Fox family farm with one thing in mind: His wife.
The Tulip Festival is the soil of Karin Ashton’s dreams. She had always wanted a beautiful garden to share with friends and family.
“They went around the world and viewed all the famous gardens to see just what they wanted,” said Tracy Erdmann, director of Thanksgiving Point Gardens.
Erdmann says the Tulip Festival’s gardens are created as estate gardens: not as botanical gardens.
“An estate garden is where someone is trying to create beautiful expressions out of nature,” said Erdmann. “These 15 themed gardens are like rooms in a home.”
Every element from the children’s book "The Secret Garden" was re-created to be displayed at the Tulip Festival. The festival runs from April 10-May 9.
“I’ve been coming here for years. 'The Secret Garden' is my family’s favorite part,” said visitor Marieke Swink. “I really liked the book so it is really fun to see it all.”
This year the gardens have a few new additions, including two rivers of hyacinths that go off the pathways, daffodils planted in striped patterns and more primary colors in the designs.
This is Esther Henricksen’s third year designing the gardens. She’s also designed gardens at Temple Square for more than two decades.
“We feel a lot of peace here,” said Nicole Harvis, a visitor to the gardens. “It’s just so beautiful here. We do this as a family all the time.”
The gardens also have the largest man-made waterfall in the Western Hemisphere.
“You have your breath taken away as you come across the beautiful water amphitheater,” said Erdmann. “You see these nine different waterfalls cascading over the face of the cliff.”
In addition to new features, visitors can also expect more activities this year.
“Around the Waterfall Amphitheater there are vendors that are selling food, handmade and artsy items just like you’d see at festival,” said Erdmann.
Visitors can also expect bounce houses, dances, new concerts and even a giant chess board game in the lawn with three-foot pieces.
While the gardens make for exciting events, Erdman says the gardens serve a much bigger purpose.
“Karin’s motivation’s to build the gardens was to create a space of healing for the soul,” said Erdmann.
“As you descend down Shepard’s Hill, you go into another world. It’s so wonderful because it’s quiet. It’s peaceful. … You hear the birds; you can feel the wind blow through your hair. It just gets you back to the basics.”
The gardens will be opened to the public on Friday, April 10. After the festival ends on May 9, the public can purchase a dozen tulips for $3, just in time for Mother’s Day.
To learn more about how you can visit the gardens, visit ThanksgivingPoint.org.Email: jjacobson@ksl.com Web: Jen-Jacobson.com
