We are thinking about a trip to Holland in 2013 and want to go to Keukenhof when the tulips are in bloom. Yes, I know it depends on the weather. The flower parade is April 20th that year, which would be fun to see. Does anyone think that is pushing our visit too late in the season? Has anyone found a daily bloom report (similar to Roozengaarde's for those of us from the Pacific Northwest)? I was hoping if I could follow a bloom report this year that might give me some help in planning our timing. Thank you for any advice you can offer!
Posted by
Lawrenceville, Georgia
693 posts
I've been to Keukenhof twice (years apart) at the end of April (last week, both times). It was beautiful both times, everything in full bloom. The various plots of flowers are renewed throughout the season, it looks totally well-kept. The large old trees in the park just started leafing out. If you go, go as early in the day as possible because the park starts filling up with tourists. The tour buses roll in from all over Europe.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
151 posts
Thank you Anna. Your experience makes me less nervous about our dates!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33861 posts
I can do better than a daily bloom report, I give 15 years of experience. We don't go every year - this year we are taking the train to Venice and Rome in the middle of April and won't get to the Netherlands this Spring - but we visit the bulb fields, Keukenhof and the Bloemencorso every year or two. In all the years, bar one when we went 3 weeks too early and only got about a 70% show and were too early for the parade, we have never been disappointed. I have read in other threads that bulbs are put in and taken out during the season. That's not my experience. Having spoken to local friends who grew up with the bulbs and growers at the show, I believe that they plant early, mid and late bloomers in the same vicinity, some deeper. This allows a good show all season. Remember it is not just tulips but also many other varieties of bulbs all throughout the gardens. Each grower is allocated a specific area to develop as they see fit so the show is fantastic as they compete with each other. If you will be in Haarlem at the time of the Corso you can walk around the floats after the parade... but you need to arrange your hotel/B&B/etc., EARLY.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
151 posts
Thank you Nigel. That's quite a testiment to the beauty of the gardens. We do plan on staying in Haarlem. Do you have a favorite hotel/b&b? How early would you make reservations?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33861 posts
Nope, sorry don't. We used to stay at Huis de Kiefte but they have closed. Now we stay with friends.
Posted by
Redlands, Ca, USA
358 posts
We visited the Keukenhof gardens in april 2010 and purchased around 80 bulbs from the garden shop which was shipped later in the year. Well my tulips planted late in 2010 are beginning to bloom again and a wonderful memory of the beautiful Keukenhof gardens. We hope to return in 2013 to the gardens for one last visit.