From canvas to bloom: famous artworks of Dutch masters interpreted with flowers at Gardens by the Bay’s Tulipmania
The rich artistic legacy of the Netherlands, from Van Gogh to Mondrian, is brought to floral life through 65,000 tulips of more than 30 varieties
Piet Mondrian’s bold grids and Vincent Van Gogh’s powerful swirling lines have long captivated audiences in museums. This April, these artworks break out of their frames at Gardens by the Bay’s Tulipmania (梦幻郁金香). The geometric vision of Mondrian’s masterpiece, Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow, blooms in a vivid tapestry of tulips and hyacinths, while three of Van Gogh’s iconic paintings are brought to life in flowers – such as the beloved The Starry Night recreated with calibrachoas, alyssums, pansies and lobelias.
All of this unfolds amidst a breathtaking sea of 65,000 tulips of over 30 varieties, in a floral display where the richness of Dutch art and culture takes centrestage. Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore, Tulipmania was officially launched today by Minister of State for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Trade and Industry Ms Gan Siow Huang, Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh, and Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore Her Excellency Anneke Adema. It will run until May 17.
A new tulip variety, Tulipa ‘Kaki’ was also formally named by MOS Gan in a traditional Dutch naming ceremony where champagne is poured over the bloom. A gift from the Netherlands to the people of Singapore, the name was chosen to symbolise friendship between the two nations as “kaki” means close friend in a Singapore context.
Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh said, “Gardens by the Bay offers a horticultural window to the world, and the 12th edition of Tulipmania – our longest-running floral display – celebrates the Netherlands’ extraordinary artistic heritage through the timeless beauty of the tulip. The world may be navigating uncertain times, but Gardens by the Bay’s promise to our visitors remains: we will always be a place where the world comes together, where cultures bloom, and where every guest – whether traveling from afar or near – finds something worth remembering.”
Operational resilience in an uncertain climate
In view of evolving global conditions, Gardens by the Bay continues to take a prudent and forward-looking approach to operations, in alignment with Singapore’s broader commitment to resilience and sustainability.
Building on existing practices, the Gardens is strengthening regional and local sourcing where feasible to enhance supply chain resilience. At the same time, ongoing energy optimisation efforts – including calibrated lighting schedules and fine-tuning of conservatory conditions within horticultural requirements – further reflect commitment to responsible resource management, without compromising on high-quality visitor experience.
New tulip varieties in the 12th edition of Tulipmania
Tulipa ‘Kaki’ is a highlight of this year’s Tulipmania and can be enjoyed for a limited time when the flower is in bloom. It is a Triumph-class tulip – one of the most widely cultivated tulip varieties in the world, with stable, cup-shaped blooms. The flower is white with a delicate pink hue along the petals’ fringe, chosen for its colours to symbolise harmony, clarity, and friendship. A cross of Tulipa ‘First Class’ and Tulipa ‘Strong Gold’, developing a new tulip cultivar typically takes about a decade.
Other new tulip varieties at this year’s Tulipmania include:
- Tulipa ‘Pretty Princess’, featuring rose-pink tepals with darker pink to purplish flamed accents and cream-margined leaves
- Tulipa ‘Spryng Surprise’, creamy white at first, splashed with red flames that soften into pink as the flower matures
- Tulipa ‘Virichic’, which opens pale rose, deepening with age, with a central green flame
The tulip palette is complemented by a variety of spring blooms, including fritillaria, hyacinths, and narcissus.
Dutch art and culture in bloom
Beyond The Starry Night, Van Gogh’s Vase with Irises as well as Imperial Fritillaries in a Copper Vase are also recreated with fritillaries and irises – a fitting tribute to an artist who drew profound inspiration from nature.
In addition, visitors can experience recreations of iconic elements from the artistic milieu of the Netherlands:
- Rijksmuseum: The recreation of Amsterdam’s renowned museum houses reproductions of celebrated works from the Dutch Golden Age, including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring.
- De Kat Windmill: The De Kat windmill is the world’s last remaining working windmill that still produces natural pigments and dyes from raw materials, which are used in making art.
Complementing these are cultural icons that showcase Dutch heritage:
- Tulipiere: A larger-than-life version of this distinctive multi-spouted vase unique to the Netherlands welcomes visitors at the entrance of Flower Dome. Historically used to display individual tulips rather than massed arrangements, the tulipiere reflects the extraordinary esteem for the flower during the height of the tulip trade.
- Delftware Showcase: In the early 17th century, potters in Delft sought to replicate the Chinese porcelain prized by Dutch merchants. From here, Delftware, a distinctly Dutch style that incorporates local motifs including the tulip, was born.
- Tulip Cruise: Visitors can step aboard this picturesque, tulip-bedecked boat for photos surrounded by vibrant tulips, evoking the charm of the Netherlands’ famous waterways.
Win air tickets to Europe with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Also on display at Tulipmania is the complete set of 106 Delft Blue miniature houses from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the official airline partner for the display. Modelled after real Dutch buildings of historical and architectural interest, these miniature houses have been presented to Business Class passengers on intercontinental KLM flights since the 1950s as a gesture of Dutch culture and hospitality. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines also flew in a replica of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers from the Van Gogh Museum.
Visitors can play the KLM Delft Blue Houses Game or participate in the Snap and Win social media contest to win a pair of economy-class return air tickets sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to a KLM destination of their choice within Europe via Amsterdam.
📅 24 Apr to 17 May 2026
⏱ 9am – 9pm
📍 Flower Dome
🏷 Admission charge applies
You can also get tickets via Klook, Fever, Pelago and KKday.
For more information, visit here.
WIN AIR TICKETS TO EUROPE WITH KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES
For this year’s Tulipmania, visitors have two opportunities to win economy-class round-trip air tickets to Europe, sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines:
KLM DELFT BLUE HOUSE GAME
Explore the 106 miniature Delft Houses on display in Tulipmania, each modelled after a real Dutch building of historical and architectural interest. Visitors can scan a QR code to access a simple mobile game, and submissions with all correct answers will enter an electronic draw to win a pair of tickets to a KLM destination in Europe on KLM. The questions will be randomised.
Terms & Conditions:
- Contest period: 24 April to 17 May 2026
- The contest is only open to Singapore residents above the age of 18 years old.
- Only one entry is allowed per person. Repeated entries will not be considered.
- The winner will be selected via an electronic draw on Wednesday 20th May 2026.
- The winner is awarded the prize of two Economy round-trip flight tickets operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Singapore to a KLM destination of choice in Europe via Amsterdam. The prize does not include accommodation, transportation to and from the airport, meals, or any other expenses not explicitly mentioned.
- For full terms and conditions and more information, visit here.
SNAP AND WIN A TRIP TO EUROPE!
Celebrate the beauty of Tulipmania and stand a chance to win two roundtrip economy tickets to a KLM destination in Europe with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
How to participate:
- Visit Tulipmania at Flower Dome from 24 Apr to 17 May 2026
- Snap a photo or video of your favorite moment
- Post it on Instagram and share what you love about Tulipmania
- Include the hashtags: #gardensbythebay #TulipmaniaGBB #KLM
- Ensure your account is set to public
- Contest ends on 17 May 2026
- Terms and Conditions apply. Find out more at here.
TULIP-THEMED WORKSHOPS
[NEW] Get Crafty! – Pressed Flowers with NFC Tag by When Stars Align
Arrange pressed flowers on an acrylic sheet before embedding it with an NFC tag to create a keepsake that quietly holds a moment worth keeping. Simply tap your phone to reveal a customisable message in the form of a text, photo or audio clip. Add a photo of your own when you get home to transform it into a photo frame.
🏷 $10/pax. Admission charge to Flower Dome applies. On-site registration is required.
📅 Saturday, 18 Apr and Sunday, 19 Apr 2026
⏱ 10am to 6pm
[NEW] Get Crafty! – Tulip Stained Glass Painting by Esty Art
Come join us for a session of stained-glass art. Start by tracing your chosen design with a gold pen, then bring the glass to life with vibrant acrylic colours. Participants will create a personalised 15cm × 20cm piece to take home and display.
🏷 $15/pax. Admission charge to Flower Dome applies. On-site registration is required.
📅 Saturday, 25 Apr 2026
⏱ 11am to 5pm
💐👩👧👦 MOTHER’S DAY 2026 👩👧👦💐
Mother’s Day is just around the corner! Treat Mum to a well-deserved celebration – explore our curated list of Mother’s Day dining spots, thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts, and beautiful Mother’s day cakes to make her day extra special.
🎭🎪 JUNE SCHOOL HOLIDAY 2026 🎪🎭
Welcome to the June school holidays! Make the most of the break with your little ones – explore our curated list of fun, engaging, and family-friendly activities happening across Singapore during the June School Holidays in Singapore 2026.
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