September 02, 2014

Keukenhof: The Garden of Europe


                                                                       



The grounds on which the garden sits today had quite a few proprietors over the centuries, including the Countess we mentioned earlier as well as a few wealthy merchants and barons. During the 19th century, the Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt assigned father-and-son architects David Zocher and Louis Paul Zocher to redesign the grounds surrounding Keukenhof Castle, while in 1949, the mayor of Lisse established the exquisite gardens officially.

Nowadays, a great deal of visitors come here to gaze upon the beauty of the flowers each year, admiring the incredible complexity and variety of flora and garden types. Highlights include the English landscape garden, a Japanese country garden and a Historical garden, and while some of you might expect to find never-ending fields of Tulips here, we’re going to tell you that the Keukenhof does not include such attractions. However, there are some tulip fields near the castle grounds, (mostly owned privately) which you could admire and photograph should you desire.

                                                                        




This site has been visited by many famous personalities over time, including Princesses Beatrix, Irene and Margriet (the daughters of Queen Juliana) as well as other distinguished members of the Dutch Royal Family. If you would like to see the gardens for yourself, you should know that they are scheduled to open their gates again in 2014 from March 20 to May 18. The grounds of Castle Keukenhof, however, are open all year long.

With thanks to Rare Delights.


                                                                          

'Keukenhof' in the Netherlands, also known as the Garden of Europe, is the world's largest flower garden for over 50 years. It is filled with tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring bulbs.

Facts & figures: Over 7 million flower bulbs are planted by hand every year in the park, which covers an area of 32 hectares. It has 4.5 million tulips in 100 varieties, and flower bulbs in more than 1600 different varieties. The bulbs are supplied by 91 Royal Warrant Holders. There are more than 2,500 trees in 87 varieties. There are 15 kilometers of footpaths, 280 benches, 15 fountains and 32 bridges. There are 4 different indoor pavilions.

Keukenhof is located near the small town of Lisse, between Amsterdam and The Hague. It is situated in an area called the "Dune and Bulb Region" (Duin- en Bollenstreek), a region that features coastal dunes and the cultivation of flower bulbs.
                                                                


Keukenhof is open annually from the last week in March to mid-May. The best time to view the tulips is around mid-April, depending on the weather. Tip: go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, there are less people.

Where Keukenhof is situated now, was a hunting area in the 15th century. Herbs for the kitchen of the castle were also collected here; hence the name Keukenhof ("kitchen garden").

The garden was established in 1949 by the then-mayor of Lisse. The idea was to present a flower exhibit where growers from all over the Netherlands and Europe could show off their hybrids -- and help the Dutch export industry (the Netherlands is the world's largest exporter of flowers).
With thanks to You Tube
                                                                       
                                                                     

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