It must be spring: the annual huge flower display at Keukenhof, in the Netherlands, has opened for its annual 8-week flamboyant display of tulips and more, this year with a theme of Romance in Flowers.
This year’s display includes 50,000 bulbs in two layers, creating a flower mosaic on the grounds of Castle Keukenhof. The garden was originally created as an ornamental garden for the castle in 1857.
For the past 69 years, it’s become one of the prime Spring tourism attractions, drawing over a million visitors a year, more than 75% from abroad. For more images, see the garden’s website
Tulips and other bulbs continue to be an important part of the economy in the Netherlands, with over 26,000 hectares in cultivation, up 18% from 2000. Tulips account for a bit more than half, but hyacinths and lilies are expanding, too, while gladioli and narcissus lost share. What’s also shrinking, according to government statistics, is the number of growers. Smaller operators are giving way to bigger growers.
