Hi GPODers!
03.05.2024 - 14:11 / finegardening.com / GPOD Contributor
Today Marilyn Regnier is taking us along on a trip of a lifetime, to see the biggest spring bulb display in the world.
A few years ago I was able to visit Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, Netherlands. This was a bucket-list trip for me and one I will never forget.
Keukenhof, known as the “Garden of Europe,” encompasses 79 acres, with 7 million spring bulbs showcased by 100 companies. The park is open from mid-March to mid-May each year for its spring flower show.
While the history of Keukenhof dates back to the 15th century, it was 1949 when a group of 20 leading flower bulb growers and exporters planned to use part of the Keukenhof estate as a spring park. The park opened its gates in 1950. This year, 2024, will be the 75th edition of Keukenhof that has developed into a world-famous attraction. While 236,000 people visited the park in 1950, today nearly 1.5 million people visit this amazing showcase of flowers.
At the entrance the bulb display is already incredible. I love how mixing in some taller tulip varieties adds interest and contrast to the carpet of shorter blooms.
A river of daffodils blooms under a canopy of blooming trees. Mixing different varieties of daffodils together like this adds interest and diversity to the display. To get the best effect, combine only varieties that bloom at the same time in each bed so you get one incredible explosion of bloom.
Most of the beds at Keukenhof are planted out in geometric patterns. Here, long ribbons of flowers snake through the garden.
Planting together tulip varieties with similar but not identical flower colors like this makes for a display that feels harmonious and intentional but still interesting and full of detail.
One of the iconic features of Keukenhof is the
As trends often go, what’s old is new again, and the garden is no exception. Romantic and whimsical gardens are back in style, along with many classic blooms like roses, hydrangeas, and 2024’s “it” flower—the peony.
Bridgerton is coming to Chelsea this month, as Netflix makes its debut at the flower show, with a garden themed around its popular TV show. First time Chelsea designer Holly Johnston has created a garden based on the personal journey of the show’s main character, Penelope Featherington. The Bridgerton Garden is part of the Sanctuary Gardens area at the show.
Cindy Ord/MG24 / Getty Images
Rachel Marek. Prop Styling: Addelyn Evans
It is your GPOD editor, Joseph, here today, sharing photos of more wildflower adventures, this time in southern Indiana. It is amazing to me what beautiful flowers I saw and how many of them I have never seen in gardens! There is so much more we can do to truly appreciate and grow our beautiful native plants.
Joseph here, your GPOD editor. Last week I was in the Cincinnati area for a work project, and I took some time to hike in a few area parks. It was perfect time for spring wildflowers, and I saw some real beauties!