Tulips amidst a Sea of Muscari outside the Juliana Pavilion
The Keukenhof Gardens are described as “the most beautiful spring garden in the world.” I would have to agree after visiting them for the first time seven years ago.
The gardens are located amongst the Dutch bulb fields, less than an hour away from Amsterdam. My sister and I took a train to Schiphol Airport, followed by a short bus journey. It is a good idea to buy a travel ticket that is valid for several days if you are visiting the region. A two day Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket cost just 26 euros and permitted transport on trains, metro, tram and bus lines within the region – great value for money.
The theme for 2017 was Dutch Design, and included gardens inspired by famous artists past and present, including Mondriaan and Rietveld. The gardens are HUGE, covering more than 32 hectares, filled with more than 7 million tulips, daffodils, hyacinths….
Sculptures are located throughout the gardens
There are a number of indoor pavilions – Oranje Nassau, Beatrix, Willem- Alexander, Juliana – filled with orchids, lilies, tulips…
I have so many photographs that I shall feature these indoor displays in next weeks post.
The outdoor gardens around the Juliana Pavilion (pictured above) were our first stop, followed by the Historical Gardens, where you can view tulips dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Did you know that tulips came to Europe from Turkey in the 16th century? The Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent adored them, and created stunning gardens in their honour. They arrived in Holland in the early 17th century where they initially cost a small fortune.
The Historical Gardens
Today there are more than 3,000 different registered varieties of cultivated tulips, including double, fringed, lily flowered, triumph, parrot…
Next, a series of paths took us through some gentle woodland planting, filled with daffodils, heuchera, forget-me-not and hellebore:
The Woodland Planting
Arriving in the Wilhelmina Gardens, we were greeted by a beautiful lake with a fountain.
The Wilhelmina Gardens
You can see from the photographs that the gardens were not crowded, and it was easy to stop and take photographs without causing any traffic jams!
Our appetites were growing as we entered the Willem Alexander Pavilion, full of spectacular floral displays (photographs next week) so we headed outside to a delightful picnic area, complete with rustic tables and straw bales for seating.
The Picnic Area
We enjoyed a delicious al fresco lunch, before heading back inside for more floral inspiration.
After viewing the windmill seen above, an hour long boat ride amongst the surrounding bulb fields was a welcome break for our feet and legs…
Sailing through the Bulb Fields
Our boat sailed lazily past a myriad of beautiful bulb fields, and I said “hello” to a number of Dutch ducks!
The floral colour combinations continued to amaze us as we passed numerous beds filled with yet more luscious blooms.
I felt I was in floral heaven!
Each colour combination seemed to surpass the other. I could not pick a favourite.
Nearing the end of the afternoon, we reached the individual show gardens, where I had a welcome seat on a tractor…
The Keukenhof Gardens more than lived up to their description as “the most beautiful spring garden in the world.”
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
Beautiful gardens and photos.
Thanks for sharing
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My pleasure. They were quite spectacular. 😊
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Oh my, what a lovely garden and the sea of tulips in so many colors. Thank you for sharing!
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I knew you would enjoy it Miriam. I will include the indoor displays next week. They are so artistic and have quite a wow factor. 😊
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That would be wonderful! We went to wooden thong factory, diamond factory, and cheese factory!
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So beautiful! Maybe someday….
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They are well worth a visit. I will show the indoor exhibits next week which were even more inspiring. 😊
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Such a beautiful, peaceful space. Thanks for sharing. X
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Beautiful 🙂 I visited about 20 plus years ago. Lovely to see again. Thanks Brigid 🙂
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They are quite special. I was so inspired. 😊
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Ever since I read Dumas’ ‘The Black Tulip’ as a girl I have had a fascination for these flowers. I love them and I would absolutely love to do what you have done and visit the region. You prompt me to put the idea higher up my list of wishes. And your pictures are stunning. Thank you so much for this magnificent post.
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I do hope you get to visit. They are so inspiring and next week I will share some of the indoor displays…
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Beautiful flowers…they’re delightful to look at Brigid. Thank you for sharing! I hope you are well. 😊
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Thanks Nina. I was in floral heaven! I am mending nicely 😊
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It’s amazing how it makes us feel so good just looking at beautiful flowers… they make wonders! 😊
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What a beautiful place, thank you for the virtual tour, gorgoeous photos 😊🌷
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My pleasure. I loved every minute of my visit. 😊
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These gardens take your breath away with their beauty. Isn’t it funny how the tulip became synonymous with Holland? It is hard even to imagine tulips growing in Turkey.
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I know Bernadette. It doesn’t seem real. I thought Keukenhof was even better than Chelsea. 😊
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Absolutely beautiful! I was going to ask if you’ve seen the Gardens at the Biltmore estate in Asheville North Carolina. But they don’t hold a candle to the ones in Amsterdam. Thank you so much for sharing!
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I have not visited North Carolina but I think Keukenhof were pretty spectacular. Floral Heaven. 😊
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Yes they are!
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Oh my gosh, this place is beautiful. Thanks for sharing, as it is now on my Bucket List! 🙂
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Brilliant Debbie. It is so worth visiting. 😊
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Stunning photos. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks Eugenia. I shall have more next week. 😊
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Beautiful gardens, Brigid. I love all the tulips!
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Me too! I could not believe the colour combinations. It was difficult to choose a favourite.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Tulips from Amsterdam courtesy of Brigid Gallagher who just spent a glorious break there with her sister. Stunning photographs. #recommended
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Thank you Sally. X
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The gardens are beautiful…Reminds of Diablo, WA
You’ve been nominated for the One Lovely Blogger Award. I wanted to show my appreciation for all
the continued support since I started my blog back in January! Hugs!
https://urbanpoetry2017.com/2017/05/17/one-lovely-blogger-award/
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I have posted a reply to your blog Linda. Many congratulations. You so deserve this award. 😊
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This is such a lovely post. The tulips are amazing in their abundance of colours and numbers. I didn’t know that tulips were not native to the Netherlands so I also learned something new.
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I could not believe the different colour combinations Robbie. Each one was stunning. The gardens were HUGE. 😊
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Beautiful photographs Brigid. Definitely a must go place when in Holland in the spring – I do envy you.
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I thought you would enjoy it. It is quite spectacular. 😊
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You’ve got me down to a tee! A sucker for flowers and gardens!
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😊
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It is lovely to see the Keukenhof again after so many years and it sounds like you had an amazing time there ☺
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It was a wonderful experience and filled me with such Joy. Amsterdam is on my list for a return visit. 😊
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Such a beautiful experience. We would stay there for hours soaking in the colors. You look ready to till the fields on top of that tractor.
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Thank you. I used to drive my dad’s tractor in my teens so it was lovely to sit on one again. 😊
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Awesome for you to be able to recapture those moments in time. Farm life is so invigorating to the heart and soul.
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It sure is and I still love being outdoors.
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Gorgeous. Thanks for giving us a chance to see the gardens.
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My pleasure Mary. I love sharing flowers…
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Wow! Simply gorgeous! 🙂
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Thanks Debbie. I cannot imagine a life without flowers…😊
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Me either 🙂
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The beauty of the tulips is almost overwhelming…wow! Lovely photos capture all the colors. 🙂
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Thank you. How are you? I am unable to visit your blog but I still get e mails and know you have all had a rough time. X
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We are working hard but seeing the light…thanks for checking in!
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Sensational photos! 🙂
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Thanks Bette. It was such a wonderful day. 😊
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Hello Brigid,
Well… what a brilliant feast for the eyes. I can see why you said you had so many flower images… simply stunning. Thank you for such a pretty post!
(And may I add here… I’m utterly loving your book. I have a read at night and don’t enjoy stopping to go to sleep. I just read about Amma. Would you believe I received my hug when she visited Melbourne in April. The venue was 15 minutes from my house! Anyway, just thought I’d give you the update….🙂)
Have a great day 🙋🏻💐
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Di that is wonderful. I do not know how Amma does it. Glad you liked the flowers. It was such a very special day and the holiday was such a tonic. 😊
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She is quite amazing isn’t she Brigid!
Yes, it sounded like a lovely tonic. All those beautiful healing flowers.
I’ll be learning more in a couple hours from now….🙂🙋🏻
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All I can say is wow wow Brigid!! So incredible– each photo exquisite!! I would love to spend a day there– thanks for giving us a look. I think it’s the variety of color-plus all the other plantings to set off the tulips. You must have arrived at the peak of the blooming! I’m putting this on my Wish List of travels. thanks!
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It was quite spectacular. I could not believe the variety of planting schemes and like you say the other planting. I just lived the seas of blue muscari. X
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So glad to get to see it through your photos Brigid!!
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I hear wonderful things about Amsterdam. Would love to visit one day. The gardens are kept immaculate and they are stunning!
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It is such a beautiful city. I need to go back as I only saw a little of it…
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Incredible photos of a truly breathtaking garden, Brigid. I’d probably have to win the lottery to get there in person, so I am grateful that I got to travel virtually with you. I echo every comment on this page (tho’ Osyth recently made me aware that “liking” them all to indicate same is annoying).
I can’t help but think of my mother whenever I see tulip gardens. She planted literally hundreds of bulbs one year, sent from Holland by my grandmother when she visited there, and got not one single flower for all her back-breaking work. The squirrels ate them ALL – and my mother hated the entire species for it until the day she died.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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Goodness Madelyn. I am sorry you and your mother never got to see those flowers. I went to Amsterdam on a wing and a prayer and it all flowed…. I have put a return trip on my wishlist. 😍
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Me too – I don’t believe I have ever seen her so disappointed – or angry! “Rats with fluffy tails!” was how she responded when anyone commented on the number of “cute” squirrels in our nabe.
I’ve never traveled abroad – the timing/finances equation never worked out for me. I’d go in a heartbeat if I could work out the finances at this point in my life, regardless of timing! I hope you get back there.
xx,
mgh
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I hope you get to travel to your dream destinations Madelyn. You deserve the best xx
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What a fantastic array of colors. It looks like a joyful place to visit. Thanks for sharing your photos.
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I loved sharing them Ali. They were such an inspiration. I shall have to buy more for my collection this autumn!😉
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What a beautiful photo essay, Brigid. I would love to go on this tour some day. You have made me feel like I’ve been there. Thank you!
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Thank you. I do hope you visit. It is quite spectacular. I enjoyed it more than the famous Chelsea Flower Show 😊
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Spectacular display of flowers. You went at the perfect time such splendor. Thank you for sharing your travels.
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You are really welcome. It was such a special place. I would go back in an instant. 😊
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“In floral heaven” … that was an appropriate way of describing it Brigid… Although I’d been there about 15 years ago, one does tend to forget just how incredibly stunning and magical it is. Those perfectly colored beds amidst green lawn, tall trees and yes, the muscari (I’d forgotten about the rivers of muscari) … Sooooooo gorgeous!!
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I am glad you appreciated the gardens too Mike. They were way beyond what I expected. 😊
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Wow …that is some solid colour! I love the woodland series of photos. Must get myself there one year too.
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It was quite a sight to behold. I hope you get to visit. 😊
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You really showcased the Keukenhof wonderfully in your great post and pictures. Thank you for sharing it.
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My pleasure. I will post on the indoor displays this week.
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Looking forward to it!
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beautiful
Dutch
pilgrimage 🙂
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It sure was. 😊
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I loved my visit to these gardens and will include them in my next book, Amanda in Holland. Your pictures are fabulous!!
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Glad you got to see them Darlene. They are quite stunning. 😊
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I’m going to Holland in October but I think I may have to go back in March! This is simply stunning! I am following you!
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That sounds like a plan. The gardens are only open for 6 weeks each year.
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Ahh ok. Thanks for the tip. x
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Ahh thank you Brigid for linking this gorgeous post up to #MyGloriousGardens Linky party. This is such a feast for the eyes and, as I said previously, I must put this garden on my bucket List! I really appreciate your support. I will Tweet this post and pop it into my Facebook page. X
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Thank you. I am enjoying reading all these new posts. 😊
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Me too! I love that blogging connects people from all over the world and from all walks of life. X
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Gorgeous – I’ve been to these gardens once a very long time ago but would love to go again #MyGloriousgardens
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I would go again too…Awesome.
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Oh Brigid, wow. These are magnificent gardens. It looks like you had an amazing time with your sister, and in gardens too. How wonderful is that given your love of them? ❤ Thank you for the photos, they are so full of life.
Sending you and your sister much love and blessings, Brigid. 🙂 Debbie
ps – very interesting about tulips coming to Europe via Turkey!
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Thanks Debbie. Spending time with my sister was such a tonic. She is awesome. Have a wonderful week. 😍
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Oh I did enjoy your post Brigid. What a beautiful place to visit with a sister. We do have a pretty wonderful Dutch bulb nursery quite nearby the displays there are certainly worth a visit, though nothing like this. With our seasons being upside down to yours we will need to wait until September and October to visit them. Your photo’s are lovely and I love the one of you sitting on the red tractor (all tractors should be red I think- like all Ferrari’s.
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Thank you Barbara. It was a really special trip. I managed to buy a few bulbs – peony, iris and gladioli but the tulips will need to wait a few months.
My dad used to have a tractor and I loved driving it. I cannot remember the colour though😉
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