ItchyFeetTraveler

Surely Elizabeth Murray, artist and award winning author, gardener and photographer, had seen Keukenhof Gardens when she wrote that “Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas.” 

That is precisely how I felt while visiting Keukenhof, the most beautiful spring garden in the world. Located less than 20 miles southwest of Amsterdam, Keukenhof Gardens is the home of a spectacular display of spring flowers and one of the most photographed sites in the world.

More than seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, anemones, crocuses and other bulb flowers are replanted by hand each year in Keukenhof’s seven theme gardens. Themes include long, narrow city gardens with colorful borders, vases and pots planted with monochromatic or multicolored blossoms, and beds of floral beauty that meander around ponds, wander near low growing shrubs and drift in the dappled sunlight of 150 year old beech trees. Round gardens planted with serene colors combined with odd bright accents, as well as gardens of all shapes that combine flower bulbs and perennials are planted throughout the park.

Keukenhof is situated on the site of an enormous 15th century estate once owned by the Countess of Holland, Jacoba van Beieren. The estate garden supplied herbs and vegetables for the castle – hence the name Keukenhof which literally means “Kitchen Garden”. At 79 acres, today’s park is based on the original 1857 English landscape garden design and overflows with beauty at every turn.

The idea of a spring flower exhibition began in 1949 when a group of bulb growers and exporters were looking for a venue to promote the bulb trade. A success in its first year, the exhibition became an annual event and continues to provide a successful showcase for the Dutch bulb trade after nearly 60 years.

Keukenhof is open to the public for only two months from mid-March to mid-May. Thirty horticulturalists employed at the park use the rest of the year to dig up the bulbs, prepare the soil, plant the beds and groom the trees, shrubbery and trees for the next season. During those two months, more than 750,000 visitors from Holland and the rest of the world pour through the gates, cameras in hand, to explore and enjoy the gardens.

And if flowers aren’t enough, beautiful bronze statues and other artistic pieces by renowned Dutch artists are on display throughout the park. The allium shaped water spray located just inside the Hoofdingang entrance is one of the park’s several soothing water features.

Indoor pavilions host up to ten stunning flower exhibitions during the annual running period of the flower show. Displays of orchids, forsythias, bromeliads, roses, begonias, chrysanthemums, lilies, tulips and other flowering plants from more than 90 holders of Royal Warrants, a designation only awarded for quality that merits official royal recognition. 

Anytime during the nine week opening is a good time to visit the gardens since each period has its own blooms. Crocuses, narcissus and hyacinths are the earliest bloomers followed by early tulips then late tulips. During this period you are also likely to see azaleas and other spring flowering shrubs. No matter where you point your camera, you’ll find breathtaking beauty awaiting you.

With so much natural beauty, the garden is a prized site for both proposals and wedding photographs. Keukenhof estimates that every day somebody proposes on “Bride’s Lane” located near the windmill on the northwestern edge of the park. To capture nuptial memories with pictures, Keukenhof grants free garden access for the bride, groom, photographer and bridesmaids. The rest of the wedding party may join them, but must pay standard admission.

Keukenhof also offers something for the child in all of us.  Both young and older visitors will enjoy navigating the path leading to the elevated viewing stand located somewhere in the seven foot tall perfectly manicured maze. After climbing the steps and looking out over the maze to trace your circuitous route to the viewing stand, you can then plot an exit route. Once out of the maze, follow the path to the elevated observation point to catch a beautiful view of the ribbons of flowers in the nearby bulb fields.

Continuing on the path toward the huge Dutch windmill, you should make a quick stop on the bridge that crosses one of canals to take a picture of the windmill. Climb the steps to the upper platform of the windmill then walk around the outside to get a different view of the park. On your way down, you’ll get a unique perspective and tutorial on how the windmill works. Before stopping at the souvenir shop to pick up post cards and other must have items, exercise your youthful exuberance and sit inside the big yellow wooden shoe for a photo-op.

Touring Keukenhof Gardens takes about five hours although it would be wise to plan on spending the entire day to see the gardens and displays at a more leisurely pace. To rest and refuel, you can take a break for a full meal or just light refreshments at one of the park’s four restaurants. All offer the option of inside or alfresco dining.  Many visitors choose to relax on one of the many benches along the garden pathways or just grab a spot on the grass in the special picnic areas.

You don’t need to be a gardening or photography expert like Elizabeth Murray to enjoy this garden. Nature’s art as painted on the Keukenhof Garden canvas is one that can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates beauty in wide open spaces.

Getting to Keukenhof Gardens on your own is easy using public transportation. From Amsterdam’s Centraal Station, take the train to the Leiden about an hour’s ride away.  Train service is also available from Rotterdam and Utrecht. As soon as you exit the train station at Leiden, you will see the Keukenhof Express Bus Number 54. The bus departs every half hour and takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Keukenhof Gardens.

If you have a long daytime layover at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and want some fresh air, bus number 58 will take you directly to Keukenhof from the airport. Carry-on bags can be stored at Hoofdingang entrance to Keukenhof.

Keukenhof Gardens Visitor Information

http://www.keukenhof.nl/nm/130/Practical-information-Opening-hours.html