Spring Flowers
The Amazing Keukenhof Gardens
Last year, I missed the cherry blossom season in Tokyo by about a week, as I wrote about at the time. This spring, I was luckier, arriving in Netherlands just in time for the tulips.
The Keukenhof Gardens southwest of Amsterdam are the most celebrated place in the Netherlands to see the tulips bloom. It is said to be one of the largest gardens in the world.
Something like seven million bulbs are planted there at different depths so that the garden will be in flower throughout its eight-week viewing season.
As you might imagine, there is a stunning array of tulips, grown from bulbs donated by around 100 breeders, if that’s the correct word.
The garden sprawls over 32 hectares. Don’t assume that that means it won’t be crowded. My friends and I were glad we went early on a glorious sunny day because by 11:00 a.m. it was slow walking through along some of the main paths.
Although the tulips are the stars, there are many other flowers including daffodils, hyacinths and all sorts of other flowers that in my ignorance, I could not identify.
The many huge trees—much older than the 70-year old garden—create spectacular splashes of light that complement the variations in colour.
There are also many winding paths that curve alongside streams and a large canal.
I didn’t come to the Netherlands particularly for this, but it is undoubtedly a highlight of the trip.
P.S. The New York Times has an article today on Norway’s Lofoten Islands, one of the most beautiful and charming places I have ever visited. Here are a few snaps from my trip in 2022.
Paul,
You have a magical way of using the gardens around you to connect with your readers. This is especially true, you will likely recall, among your readers from Winnipeg, who are impatiently waiting the first signs of life in our gardens.
In the early 80s, I and my family ended up in Amsterdam for 6 months. Mass tourism had begun to damage the inner city. So my wife and our 4 year old son looked for other places in Holland that were more amenable. Greater A’dam was wonderful. Fabulous parks and lovely little restaurants. Spring is wonderful there. Thanks Paul for the reminder!