(Amsterdam) April is probably one of the most pleasant times of the year to visit the capital of the Netherlands. Spring is already there; the trees are displayed in tender green, the flowerbeds and parks are in bloom, the surrounding countryside displays its countless fields of tulips. But the must-see is Keukenhof, an ephemeral flower park that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Only open for a period of seven or eight weeks, Keukenhof is one of a kind. The floral park is renewed every year. With the exception of the perennial plots – some of which date back more than 150 years – the approximately 7 million tulips, narcissi, hyacinths and other bulbous plants that the public can smell and devour with their eyes in the spring are all unearthed during the ‘summer. The gardens are then redesigned and when autumn comes, planting begins again by hand, one bulb at a time.
Imagine: 800 varieties of tulips, an orgy of colors in a course where water is omnipresent, paths dotted with sculptures where you can also admire several old buildings, including, of course, a period windmill. Thousands of flowering plants are also featured in showrooms. You can also take a boat trip there to fill your eyes with tulip fields before their heads are cut off.
Because the beauty of the Dutch fields is very ephemeral, too. As soon as flowering has begun, the stems pass through the guillotine so that all the energy of the leaves is concentrated in the bulbs, all of which are destined for sale. But however short, the show is fabulous.
Besides, visitors come to Keukenhof from everywhere to fully experience their spring fever. Last year 1.1 million visitors from more than 100 countries paraded there. By way of comparison, the Montreal Botanical Garden attracts around 800,000 people… per year.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY KEUKENHOF
If the tulip is queen at Keukenhof, around 3 million bulbs of various varieties are also planted there, such as these grape hyacinths all dressed in blue.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY KEUKENHOF
Canals, ponds; water is omnipresent at the Keukenhof flower park.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY KEUKENHOF
Keukenhof is also a commercial showcase where around a hundred bulb producers and exporters present their products.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY KEUKENHOF
No less than 500 varieties of tulips are planted at Keukenhof in different shapes and colors.
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No squirrels at Keukenhof
Located in Lisse, about an hour’s drive from Amsterdam, the Keukenhof flower park occupies 32 hectares of a huge estate whose origins date back a few centuries. The garden is funded largely by growers and exporters of bulbs, as well as revenue generated from admissions. “It goes without saying that the pandemic years have been particularly difficult from a financial point of view, explains the organization’s spokesperson, Britt Verkevisser. In 2020 we remained closed and the following year the gardens were open for just over two weeks even though all plantings had been renewed, as always. »
Benefiting from an important commercial showcase, around a hundred carefully selected suppliers each develop their plot according to their taste, taking care to clearly identify their plants. In order to ensure continuous flowering during the eight weeks of exposure, the bulbs are planted in three successive layers of thickness, so that the early species and varieties are in flower at the opening, while the late ones are demonstrate at the end of April.
What is most surprising, at least for a Quebec gardener, is that squirrels seem to be absent from this vast garden. ” Squirrels ! I have never seen one here! » launches Mme Varkevisser.
Good to know
Keukenhof is served by an efficient shuttle system. To be reserved at the same time as the entrance tickets (from 19 euros for an adult). The place opened its doors on March 23 and the season continues until May 14, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. You will partly avoid the rush by going there early in the morning or at the end of the afternoon.
Much more than flowers
PHOTO MATTHEW LLOYD, BLOOMBERG ARCHIVES
Amsterdam is also known for its canals.
If Keukenhof is the main tourist attraction in the Netherlands in the spring, you don’t go to Amsterdam just to visit the garden, of course. Here are some other attractions to discover on site.
On the water
You have to do some barge tours on the canals, at least on two separate circuits, to enjoy all that the city has to offer in this area.
Chez Rembrandt
Visit the Rembrant House (1606) if only to learn more about the architecture of the old and narrow houses of Amsterdam. Amazing fact: the master’s bed is extremely short. It is that at that time, we slept… sitting.
PHOTO PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Table The Night Watch by Rembrandt, exhibited at the Rijksmuseum
Exceptional museums
The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are two museums that alone are worth crossing the Atlantic. During our stay, they were full for the whole week. Tip: visit their websites every day. You will surely discover a time slot where there are still a few free places. Or better yet: book your ticket before you go.
300 years in pot
Created in 1638, the Hortus botanicus botanical garden is one of the oldest in the world. Small, quiet, very well stocked – and with excellent coffee. The palm grove is home to two of the oldest potted plants in existence. Disappeared in the natural environment, the imperturbable Encephalastos horridus has been growing in its container for 300 years. He gets along well with his young companion of 200 years of age. And they still produce fruits whose seeds are donated to other botanical institutions.
The flower market
Very close to the Central station – from where several tourist barges also depart – is the flower market. Built on the water in 1862, it amazes with the diversity of plants on offer.