Let There be Bulbs
The world’s greatest bulb garden in Keukenhof, Holland
This spring, I visited one of my favorite European cities, Amsterdam. As a tourist, I enjoyed much of what Amsterdam has to offer, but as a horticulturist, I knew I had to visit the cut flower auction in Aalsmeer (Let There be Flowers) and the spectacular bulb garden at Keukenhof Park in Lisse, just outside the city. With the famous horticulturist, Jack de Vroomen, as my guide, I knew it was going to be even better. Having been there before, I more or less knew what to expect, but the people with me were blown away.
How many tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, crocus and friittiarias can one person possibly handle? I hope a lot because at Keukenhof over seven million flower bulbs are planted every fall. This may actually sound a little boring, like touring two acres of pansies in the spring - it is anything but.
Bulb growers and breeders plant specific areas of the park and each display seems a little better than the last. The main attraction at Keukenhof is obviously the color but the park itself, with its stream, water features and beautiful beech trees is a wonderful place to walk and eat a picnic lunch.
As expected, this is a spring display, the park being open from March to mid-May. It is a must see for every gardener, plant lover and horticulturist. I have no other words to describe it.
This fall, buy as ton of bulbs, make yourself a mini-Keukenhof.
