A FEAST OF FLOWERS

North Holland is the most important flower province in the Netherlands. More than half of all Dutch bulbs are produced here. At the heart of the world-famous bulb growing area is Haarlem, known as the City of Flowers and thoughout the spring and summer the streets are decorated with floral dispays. There is an annual procession of floats decorated with thousands of Spring flowers which attracts many visitors. An extensive area of bulb fields extend along the eastern edge of the dunes from Haarlem to Leiden. These intensly cultivated fields are mainly situated on the polder that was created when the Haarlemmermeer was drained. This land is extremely fertile and provides enormous yields of tulips, daffodils and chrysanthemums. A visit to the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, near Schiphol Airport, provides a marvellous glimpse into the workings of this efficient Dutch industry.

The tulip plant originated in the lands of the old Ottoman Empire and was introduced into the Netherlands in the 16th century. From the very beginning, the tulip emerged as a decorative element in Ottoman culture. In general, those tulips have narrow, rather long, petals. The end of the 16th century saw the advance of the tulip into Dutch culture, reaching its height in the 17th century, the Gouden Eeuw or Golden Age. In those days, in the Netherlands, artists & craftsmen were inspired by, amongst other sources, the art emerging from the Ottoman Empire. In the first half of the 17th century, the tulip enthralled the Dutch. Tulip prices went through the roof! It was the time of the famous Tulip Mania, with a corresponding fascination for the decorative possibilities of the tulip shape.

Whereas in previous centuries, the tulip and its artistic expressions were mainly the concern of the affluent, the nobility and the rich merchants; in the 20th century, the tulip was embraced by the masses. Perhaps it would be better to say that commerce addressed the mass market! However, the tulip remained a source of inspiration for artists, as it continues to be in the 21st century. 

EVENTS 2006
• The Summer Bulb Weekend will be held from 7 to 9 April.
Summer bulbs, unlike many others, turn into flowers the same year. During this weekend the park will provide all kind of information concerning this type of bulbs.
• Easter Parade on 17 April
Hats play a leading role on Easter Monday as they do during the Easter Parade in New York.
• ‘Early-Bird Morning’ on 17 April
On this day the park will be open from 7 a.m.
• Flower Parade of the Region Saturday 22 April
Big floats and motorcars lavishly covered with flowers will parade through the flowering Dutch bulbfield area, along an 40 km route. For more information please visit www.bloemencorso.info.
• ‘Early-Bird Morning’ on 14 May
On this day the park will be open from 7 a.m.
INDOOR FLOWERS SHOWS
• 23 March – 29 March Amaryllis – Freesia – Hyacinth – Tulip
• 23 March – 26 April Syringa – Viburnum – Prunus - Forsythia
• 23 March – 19 May Azalea
• 23 March – 19 May Hortensia
• 23 March – 19 May Orchids
• 23 March – 19 May Anthurium
• 23 March – 19 May Bromelia
• 23 March – 19 May Begonia and Cyclamen
• 31 March – 10 April Chrysanthemums
• 12 April – 18 April Iris – Roses – Lathyrus
• 12 April – 19 May Anjers – Asters – Kalanchoe – Zantedeschia - Gypsophylla – Saintpaulia - Limonium
• 20 April – 25 April Daffodils and Special Bulbous Plants
• 27 April – 2 May Alstroemeria
• 28 April – 19 May Patio Plants – Perennial Plants
• 4 May – 10 May Gerbera – Lisianthus - Bouvardia
• 12 May – 19 May Lilies
Bike rental, including routes of the area.
Various exhibitions and fashion accessories
Address: Stationsweg 166a
2161 AM Lisse
Tel: 0252-465555
Fax: 0252-465565
www.keukenhof.nl
info@keukenhof.nl
Open: 23 March-19 May – Monday – Sunday 8am-7.30pm. Last admission 6pm.
Admission price € 12.50; children (4-11) € 5.50. Groups (min. 20 pers.) € 10.50. Parking € 4.
Public Transport: Keukenhof Express departs from Leiden Station.
Publication: VVV Tourist Information