Flowers in Holland

Keukenhof – known as the Garden of Europe – is one of the best places to view the abundance of spring flowers in the South Holland region of the Netherlands

 

 Amsterdam's flower market – the Bloemenmarkt – reflects the 

country's passion for cut flowers and plants

 Around seven million bulbs are planted each year 

in the park at Keukenhof, in an area of 32 hectares

 Tulips originated in the east and were brought to Holland 

from the Ottoman Empire in the mid 1500s

The Bloemenmarkt - set on the capital's Singel canal 

and said to be the world's only floating flower market -

has a score of stalls where you can buy all sorts of plants, flowers, bulbs and seeds

 

The mild climate of Holland, with its wet springs makes it an ideal place for bulb cultivation

 In springtime, the lowland area by the North Sea is carpeted with fields

of gladioli, hyacinths, lilies, daffodils, crocuses... and, of course, tulips

 Keukenhof - literally 'kitchen garden' - is part of the hunting grounds 

of the ancient Teylingen estate

 This year, the theme for the Keukenhof exhibition is  

Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers

 The patchwork quilt of colours in the Keukenhof park, just outside Lisse 

in South Holland, is a veritable feast for the eyes

 The bulbs of Keukenhof are re-planted each year according to the current trends and in collaboration with a number of gardening magazines

 Spring in Keukenhof is one of the main tourist attractions of the Netherlands

Happy Spring