Keukenhof Park is famous for being the world’s largest flower garden, located in Lisse, Netherlands, around 45 minutes outside of Amsterdam city centre. In 1946, the site was opened up for its first open air flower exhibition, which has become an annual event and has been growing in popularity.
Stretching over 80 acres with in excess of 7 million blooming tulips, daffodils, roses and more there is over 15 km of pedestrian pathways allowing visitors to explore the true beauty of the full park.
Every year there is a different theme at Keukenhof and 2016 is no exception. This year’s theme ‘the Golden Age’ – celebrates when Holland became prosperous through worldwide trade. The highlight of this year’s display is a Delft blue Tile consisting of over 100,000 flowers bulbs.
The nine show gardens for 2016 include:
Golden Age Garden – The centrepiece of this year’s exhibit the Golden Age Garden celebrates the explorations voyages undertook for trade routes. With new species of plants and flowers which were brought back from faraway lands on ships – this garden pays homage to the brave ‘plant seekers’ of the Golden Age.
Delfts Blauw Garden – Midway through the 17th century, potters in Delft managed to replicate the Chinese white-blue porcelain. Delft Blue became popular. To this day the colour combination is used widely, this garden showcases a stunning display of blue and white spring bulb flowers in its honour.
Vegetable Garden – The Vegetable Garden allows visitors to see how flower bulbs can which combine with a vegetable garden in Spring.
Romantic Garden – You can’t miss the most romantic garden in Keukenhof. The bulb flower garden consist of bulbs in lovely shades.
Rob’s Sensory Garden – This garden was created by one of the most famous Dutch TV-gardeners. The garden incorporates all the senses including feeling, smell and sight.
Beach Garden – Reeds, sand and surf on the wave of a border of flowers. The garden has a tropical atmosphere consisting of brightly coloured tulips and palms.
Vintage Garden – A nostalgic garden, with the use of sturdy plants and vintage elements. This garden is an unusual combination of plants and an impressive assortment bulb flowers.
Historical Garden – Here the tulips tell the story of 400 years’ worth of development in the Netherlands.
At Keukenhof there is also 4 large indoor pavillions, each one is home to beautiful selection of different flowers. For 2016 it is Orchids, Roses, Tulips and Lilies.
Keukenhof Park even has its own windmill, if you fancy climbing up it and you will be rewarded with a view across nearby bulb fields.
You can also take a boat trip around the outside the park and get a closer look at the rows of tulips being cultivated. The boats used are called whisper boats and they are electrically propelled. The tour takes approximately 45 minutes.