By
Damien Gayle
07:48 EST, 24 April 2013
|
09:24 EST, 24 April 2013
More than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths will make a spectacularly British display at the largest spring garden in the world.
The 80-acre exhibition near the town of Lisse, south-west of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, known as Keukenhof, is described as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.
This year the theme is ‘The United Kingdom – Land of Great Gardens’.
Rite of spring: Keukenhof, the world’s largest
flower garden, has opened for its 64th consecutive year of spectacular
flower shows
Bloomin’ lovely: The 80-acre exhibition near the
town of Lisse in the Netherlands, is described
as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world
Purple haze… and pink, and green: The garden
was established in 1949 to present a flower exhibit where growers from
all over the Netherlands and Europe could show off their hybrids – and to
help the Dutch export industry. The Netherlands, known for its tulips, is the world’s largest exporter of flowers
Tulips: More than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths have been planted for the Keukenhof show this year
The Garden of Europe: The Keukenhof site plays host to flowers of many different varieties
Keukenhof – also known as the Garden of Europe – is the world’s largest flower garden and has exhibited every spring for 64 years.
This year it was decided to dedicate the garden to the UK, raise attention to the significance Britain as a gardening nation and as an export market for flower bulbs.
The centrepiece of the flower show is a blossoming mosaic of blooms made up of 60,000 bulbs showing London’s iconic landmarks Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
Paul Arkwright, British ambassador to the Netherlands, last October planted the last of the bulbs to complete the mosaic, which will measure 13 by 33 metres when budded.
The ambitious work is a co-production with Britain’s world-famous Royal Horticultural Society.
‘The United Kingdom – Land of Great Gardens’: Britain has been chosen as the theme for this year and the centrepiece of the flower show is a blossoming mosaic of
blooms made up of 60,000 bulbs showing London’s iconic landmarks Big Ben
and Tower Bridge. You’ll have to visit to see it in its full glory
Tourist attracting: Some 70,000 British garden lovers are estimated to have passed through Keukenhof’s gates last year
So much to see: The sprawling site also hosts an exhibition of statuary curated by Dutch artist Ansèl Sandberg
Full of the joys of spring: Two women leap in the air amid the fields of tulips at Keukenhof
Gardeners’ world: In addition to over 32
hectares of flowers, the spring garden offers 30 inspiring flower shows,
seven inspirational gardens and 100 works of art
Famous: Keukenhof has been the world’s largest flower garden for over fifty years. It opened to the public on March 21 and continues for eight weeks
Floating along: Visitors can also tour the expansive fields of flowers by guided boat tour
From the air: Keukenhof, which means kitchen
garden in Dutch, is situated on 15th century hunting grounds which also
served as a source of herbs for a local castle
The Juliana Pavilion will house the
exhibition ‘My Great Garden’, showing the various aspects of British
gardening and landscaping. Pictures, light, sound and setting will
result in a striking experience, organisers say.
Some 70,000 British tourists are estimated to have passed through Keukenhof’s gates last year.
In
addition to over 32 hectares of flowers, the spring garden offers 30
inspiring flower shows, seven amazing inspirational gardens and 100
wonderful works of art curated by Dutch artist Ansèl Sandberg.
Keukenhof, which means kitchen garden in Dutch, is situated on 15th century hunting grounds which also served as a source of herbs for Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut’s castle.
The garden was established in 1949 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, known for its tulips, is the world’s largest exporter of flowers.
Keukenhof has been the world’s largest flower garden for over fifty years. It opened to the public on March 21 and continues for eight weeks.
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Well worth a visit!
Auger Borer
,
East Midlands, United Kingdom,
24/4/2013 15:08
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“Two women leap in the air amid the fields of tulips at Keukenhof.”……………… No, they don’t. The flowers in the fields they’re leaping in are full of hyacinths.
CherryPink
,
South Oxfordshire,
24/4/2013 15:02
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Haven!
Larry
,
Hong Kong,
24/4/2013 14:57
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Britain is so very beautiful!!!I just love The UK to bits and always had a dream to live there!!!
Jo
,
here, United States,
24/4/2013 14:51
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