Netherlands: Keukenhof (Bulb Garden)
japra | Apr 19, 2010 | Comments 30
Finally! Finally, I got to see some much anticipated spring blooms in the Keukenhof garden here in the Netherlands. We had planned to visit this garden with Mr. DJ’s parents and some friends from London, but only my father-in-law was lucky enough to make it here before the airports were shut down because of the suspended ash from the Icelandic volcano eruption.
The garden is located southwest of Amsterdam on the former hunting grounds and kitchen garden of an old 15th century estate. Four and a half million tulips in 100 varieties are planted here every year. Seven million bulbs are planted each year… by hand!
Keukenhof is only open for two months out of the year. So if you’re interested in visiting, be sure to check their website for dates and times.
We didn’t get to see the entire park. I hope to get back there before it closes.
A view (from the windmill platform) of one of the many bulb fields surrounding the garden. The bulb fields are attractions of their own! (this one was plated with hyacinth, I think)
But for me, the Willem-Alexander greenhouse was the highlight of our trip. I have never seen so many varieties of tulips!
See? Gorgeous.
The tulips were tall and some of them were as wide as a small cantaloupe. Even a casual flower fan (AKA me!) would be impressed with this display of blooms. I can only imagine what this place would mean to a gardener or true flower lover.
These looked like they were made out of silk.
These hardly had any stems!
Roxi and I liked this display of wooden shoes near one of the souvenir stands.
LOL! Remember those sneaker rollerskates? Oh, maybe I’m the only one who had a pair of those…
I took this photo for my mother-in-law. ;-)
And this one for my mother ♥
Filed Under: Blog • Destinations • Featured • Netherlands • Outdoors • What to Do
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
These are absolutely amazing photos! What Holland’s all about, I guess?! 8-) I had no idea there were so many varieties of tulips and that so many of them look so un-tulip-y. Most amazing shot, for my money, is of the striped fields of flowers–hard to imagine that many flowers in one place!
Thanks so much for sharing these!
Kathy, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the Keukenhof, but the tulips were amazing. And yes, those bulb fields!!! They were so distracting. I was driving, so I didn’t get any pics :-(
STUNNING!!
It really was! I want to go back and see more!!
wow wow wow…gorgeous colours. love the bulb fields too. I didn’t know tulips could get that high!
Those tall tulips were such a surprise. I couldn’t take photos fast enough! I kept thinking, ooooh, those are pretty! And so are those!
Oh you got some beautiful photographs! Tulips from Amsterdam – Trala la la la la.
We tip-toed through the tulips ;-)
Absolutly beautiful. Thanks for sharing, I felt like I was there enjoying the gardens with you. The double tulips were especially pretty. I would like to see someone walk in high heal wooden shoes. I remember trying to walk in the regular wooden shoes we had in the halloween dress up box. They were real wooden shoes, not sure where we got them or where they are now. Maybe Mama DJ knows.
Martha, I was thinking the same about those heeled wooden shoes! I wonder if they’re just for show? And I’ll be sure to ask about that dress up box!
beautiful flower photos…that last one is a stunner!
the shoes are great – I can’t decide if I like the roller skates or the oxfords the best.
They all were pretty neat! Clever :-)
Wow it’s amazing what a few weeks of sunshine can do. I loved it when we were there but we were too early for the fields. It’s really something!
We definitely had a late Spring this year! Were there tulips in the greenhouse, though? I wondered if the gardeners put in new plants as the old ones fade…
Amazing photos
My parents went there a few weeks ago while they were over visiting. I could not go with them because I had to work which was a shame.
Invader_Stu, I hope you parents enjoyed the gardens, even though there probably wasn’t much blooming at the time :-(
Wow! Awesome photos, cuz! =)
Thanks, Neil!
Oh, wow – those photos are exquisite! I love, love, love the last one for your mum.
Thank you, dear Emm! My parents were supposed to visit us during tulip season, but it wasn’t meant to be this year… but I wanted to send my mother some real Dutch tulips :-)
Okay, we just changed our trip from this October to next April, and we are SO excited! This is too gorgeous!
Did you really change your holiday, Chris?! I think you’ll definitely enjoy the garden. I hope you’ll have fantastic weather for your trip!
Ouch those shoes actually look really uncomfortable!
I was thinking the same thing, Duncan. Especially those boots!!
Oh, I LOVE seeing these photographs.
We went to Keukenhof a few years ago but we were too early for the tulips. I want to go again someday. I’m so afraid that by the time we finally get back to the UK my own tulips will be finished.
It seems like everyone I know has been affected by the volcano, but then I obviously know a plane-riding crowd.
Yesterday I visited some rose gardens in Houston — just across from the Natural Science Museum. I forget how many flowers (and not just the bluebonnets!) are blooming in Houston at this time of year.
It has been absolutely stunning this last week+! My father-in-law asked me when was the last time we had so many beautiful days in a row… I couldn’t remember but I’m guessing last summer? Maybe.
I love that garden across from HMNS! But unfortunately I equate spring in Texas with allergies. UGH.
Hope you’re having a lovely time and getting your fill of all things Texan. XO
I’ve been living in Holland for 3 years but I haven’t been to Keukenhof yet. My first attempt was unsuccessful. I thought it was open all year round and when I went it was closed. We are going to plan a visit soon! Before it closes!
Magda
Were you there on Sunday the 18th? Maybe we saw each other :) I was there that weekend as well… touristy but so worth it!
Monica
LOL! We were there on that Saturday :-) Was it much of a crush on Sunday? It wasn’t too bad when we went… maybe due to the ASH crowd?
Beautiful photos! I finally went there myself this year. It was so cold and not sunny at all but I was still able to get some amazing pictures..it’s hard not to with all the beautiful flowers there…plus it smells sooo amazing with all the flowers that are blooming :)