People come to see the blooms at RoozenGaarde.
The colorful fields on Beaver Marsh Road are a magical playground for thousands of tourists during April’s Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
All the while, another side of the flower action is in full swing next door, in a massive complex of nondescript buildings. It goes on long after the Skagit Valley back roads are barren and the snow geese take over.
The production complex, Washington Bulb Company, is in stark contrast to the vibrant acres of red, orange, pink, purple and yellow seen now. It’s off to the side yet in plain sight — that is, if you can take your eyes off the flowers.
The two distinct businesses are owned by the Roozen family.
RoozenGaarde, the retail division, is the public side of the enterprise, with a windmill, fields to stroll, gift shops and bouquets of fresh flowers so visitors can bring the magic home.
Washington Bulb Company is the wholesale operation of growing and shipping about 40 varieties of tulips. With 15 acres of climate-controlled greenhouses, plus warehouses and loading docks, it is as practical as the fields are pretty.
