One million tulips will eventually brighten the grounds at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery in Scott Twp. this spring.
As temperatures soar into the 80s, the orchard will open this weekend, giving guests a glimpse of vibrant flowers, Farm Manager Julianne Roba said.
After season-pass holders get a sneak peek Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., the property will be open to the general public on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“New this year, we’re open until 9 p.m. for sunset views of the orchard during tulip season,” Roba said.
Roba added orchard officials use growing degree days to gauge a potential opening date.
Tulip fields at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Farm Manager Julianna Roba and her daughter, Annalyn, two months, in the tulip fields at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The corn pit at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Rennovates bathrooms at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Farm Manager Julianna Roba gestures towards tulip fields at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Blooming tulips at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The new donut shop at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Tulip fields at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Tulip fields at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery in Lakeland on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
“We get a little bit of a crystal ball based on the forecast of when we think the tulips are going to be up, based on last year,” she said. “We’re expecting around 30% bloom for this weekend — which on one million tulips is quite a bit of tulips.”
Double the amount of tulips from last year were planted on the property for 2026, Roba added.
“It’s kind of crazy to get to say that there’s that many of them,” she said. “We have an awesome team that helps make it a reality. We had a spot open up right across from the train tracks and decided we were going to rotate our tulip beds into there. It’s a rolling hill of tulips into this beautiful spot where the sun sets.”
Guests will also have the option to pick their own tulips for a bouquet for an additional cost this year, Roba said.
The tulips — imported from Holland — come in a variety of shades and designs, Roba added.
“We plant our fields by when they’re going to bloom,” she said. “We have an early section, a mid section, and a late section, and we also plant within those blocks by color strips — we have yellows and pinks, and a really deep purple that is almost black. A lot of pinks, reds, and purples, and a lot of different speckled varieties, too, and striped.”
In addition to the tulips, the orchard plans to introduce a 100-foot gondola wheel by the summer or early fall, Roba said.
“From what we’ve heard, it’s almost done over in Turkey and then it’s going to make its way across the ocean to us,” she said.
While orchard officials would like to have it by the United States Semiquincentennial in July, Roba stated Labor Day may be a more likely timeframe.
She stressed the new attraction will provide sweeping views of places, both near and far.
“It’s a really beautiful view just from where you’re able to stand, but we took a drone up to look at different shots and 100 feet is right where you get to see all of the gorgeous farmlands, plus the mountains,” she said. “My father-in-law grew up on Elk Mountain, and up on that gondola wheel you’ll be able to see the mountain, so that’s kind of a special connection for us, too. When you’re on the wheel, to be able to see tulips and the apples and the blueberries, kind of all in one shot, really gives you a great snapshot of all the different elements.”
Lakeland Orchard also will introduce a new donut shop with observation windows for people to see the donuts being made, Roba said.
Additionally, the widely popular corn pit will transition from the tent to a permanent barn, she added.
“I think it’s everyone’s favorite attraction,” Roba said. “It’s going to have screens so it’s still going to be breezy, and you still get to look out over the views, but it will be sturdier.”
To meet customer demand, orchard officials also constructed trailer bathrooms with flushing toilets, replacing the porta potties previously on the site.
Roba expressed optimism about the forecast for the weekend and believes people are eager to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors.
“It’s really been a cold, brutal winter,” she said. “Tulips are really the first flower that pop up out of the ground that are colorful so when they’re out of the ground, I think everybody can’t wait to get outside.”