Take-Aways from the Holland-Belgium Garden Tour – April 2025
The beauty of the world-renowned gardens at Keukenhof are well beyond the imagination of any gardener. The massive displays of bulbs at various stages of bloom are scattered over the 70 acres of cultivated gardens and emerge with layer after layer of blooms over an 8 week period. Over 7 million bulbs are planted each year in the beds, plus exhibition halls are filled with Amaryllis, Orchids, Anthurium, specialty Tulips, and more.
Keukenhof means ‘kitchen garden’ in Dutch, but this is much more than a kitchen garden. Keukenhof is celebrating it’s 75th year this spring, perfecting their gardening techniques each year. These Dutch growers have figured it out because everything is done to perfection.
From what I understand, the method by which they achieve this long season of continuous bloom is in the planting process, consisting of at least three different techniques:
1 – Multiple types of bulbs are planted together in an alternating pattern.
Bulbs are placed close together in beds at Keuchenhof, as these are removed at the end of the season and new ones replanted in the fall. Overwintering is not a concern, so techniques may be employed that are different from those used for a perennial garden. A combination of up to 6 different bulbs may be displayed in one area, offering blooms from mid-March to mid-May.
2 – Bulbs from different seasons are planted together.
Sometimes a bed may contain only tulips but using varieties from the 3 different seasons (early April, mid-late April, early May). The same is done with daffodils, beds of 3 or more varieties that bloom in different seasons (mid-March, late-March, and early-April).
This photo shows two different daffodils in bloom with at least two more varieties emerging for later color.
3 – Bulbs may also be planted at different depths.
To emerge at different times, bulbs placed nearer the top of the soil will start growing earlier, and those planted deeper will emerge later. This is a common trick to encourage earlier blooming of late bulbs or to delay blooming of early bulbs.
This photo shows tulips blooming at the same time as Chionodoxa (light blue) and Hyacinth, both early bloomers. The tulips were planted more shallow so as to bloom earlier.
Here are some of the bulbs that may be used according to their natural bloom season:
- Early Season – early Daffodils, Hyacinth, Chionodoxa, Crocus, Grape Hyacinth, Dwarf Dutch Iris, Snowdrops
- Mid Season – mid and late Daffodils, early and mid Tulips, Anemone, Fritillaria (checkered lily), Allium, Leucojum (a taller snowdrop)
- Late Season – mid and late Tulips, Allium, Anemones, Fritillaria (Crown Imperial), Iris
Though the tulip is native to central Asia, the soil and climate in Holland is perfect for growing them, therefore the bulk of tulip bulb production for the world takes place in The Netherlands. Seeing them used in flower beds throughout our tour as well as growing in long rows on reclaimed land from the sea is inspiring to say the least. For tips on growing tulips in our Missouri gardens, read the blog Tips for Success with Tulips in Missouri.
Some of the Bulbs in bloom at Keukenhof and other nearby gardens.
