Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard: Spring into Color with Tulip Blossom Days

Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the season of renewal than with a visit to Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville. This year, they’re introducing Tulip Blossom Days, an experience you won’t want to miss! We sat down with Danielle Stepp McCall, a third-generation owner of the orchard, to learn more about this exciting new addition.

A Family Legacy of Agritourism and Innovation

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard isn’t just a farm; it’s a family legacy. “My Mamaw and Papaw – Yvonne and Son Stepp – purchased Hillcrest Orchard in the mid 1960’s and soon started offering you pick apples,” Danielle shares. From selling Cokes as a child to co-owning the business today, Danielle has witnessed the orchard’s evolution firsthand.

Stepp’s has always been a pioneer in agritourism. “My grandparents started with pick your own apples, long before agritourism was really a common word,” Danielle explains. Over the years, they’ve adapted to changing customer preferences, adding a pumpkin patch, school tours, sunflowers, zinnias, and various activities like a corn maze and apple cannons.

“Hendersonville is really a mecca for agritourism,” Danielle explains. To complement the area’s offerings, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard focuses on innovation and offering unique experiences, especially during the “off-season.” As Danielle says, “We want folks to come to the county and visit lots of farms. If we can offer something different, we don’t take away from anyone else and at the same time offer customers something different they can do here in Hendersonville.”

Things to do this spring

Tulip Blossom Days: From Dutch Inspiration to Hendersonville Bloom

The idea for a tulip u-pick came from a family trip to the Netherlands. “Rex’s (Danielle’s husband) parents lived in the Netherlands for a few years,” Danielle says. “We had the opportunity to visit with our kids while they were there – about 9 years ago. Rex came back thinking this would be a great addition at the farm.”

Four years ago, they planted their first tulip crop. The first year was a learning curve, planting everything by hand and giving away the blooms. Each year, they’ve expanded, learning more about tulip cultivation while welcoming guests to pick their own. “We saw how happy picking sunflowers and zinnias made customers in the fall, and offering tulips in the spring is just another way to share the farm (and happiness!) with customers during a different season,” Danielle explains.

Planting begins as apple season winds down. Timing is crucial – the soil needs to be just right. They’ve invested in a planter to make the process more efficient. This year, they’re using wood chips to improve the field’s appearance and prevent weeds. Deer can be a challenge, as they love to eat tulips! Botrytistulipae is a fungus that can affect tulips, and one of the best ways to combat it is to rotate the field. Thankfully, they have the space to do that and have planted in a different field each of the four years they have grown tulips.

For 2025, Stepp’s planted 30,000 bulbs of 20 different varieties! Sourcing from the Netherlands, they prioritize a mix of bold and pastel colors. Danielle has a couple of favorites: “Lady van Eyck – a dark pink early season tulip and Sky High Scarlet – a super tall late season red tulip.”

This year’s Tulip Blossom Days include access to the tulip field, outdoor games, fire pits, and picnic tables. They’re also setting up a pop-up shop with items from their Apple House. Plus, they’re partnering with idaph events to host the Apple Ridge Relay Race in July!

Plan your family weekend now

Experiencing Stepp's and the Charm of Hendersonville

“Flowers make people happy, there is no question about it,” Danielle exclaims. “Seeing a field of thousands of tulips blooming in all different colors is really breathtaking. It’s definitely a visual representation of the fact that spring points to renewal after the dormancy of winter.”

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard has been a tourism staple in Hendersonville for 55 years. “We say, “Harvesting Family Memories for Generations” and that is oh so true,” Danielle says with pride. They’ve hosted thousands of school children, educating them about agriculture and honoring the destination’s heritage.

While you’re in the area, Danielle recommends exploring the local wineries, hiking trails, and downtown Hendersonville.

Danielle cherishes the cyclical nature of farm life. “Personally, I absolutely love the seasonal nature of what we do,” she says. “I love the start of apple season, and I love the end of apple season. I love the hard work of spring, summer and fall and the dormancy of winter. I love welcoming guests to our farm.”

Make sure to plan your visit to Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard this spring for Tulip Blossom Days!