Keukenhof, is about 25 miles south west of Amsterdam and covers an area of approximately 80 acres.
It is often referred to as the Garden of Europe and is one of the largest flower gardens in the world. It is a gorgeous place to visit if you like colour and shed loads of pretty flowers.
At the start of October, numerous local bulb growers donate in the region of 7 million bulbs for planting. That keeps the 40 or so gardeners busy right up to early December organising and synchronising the displays that are only enjoyed for a short 8 week period between late March and mid May.
I had to wait an age to grab decent snaps as the place was full of visitors, at times it was quite a fucking pain in the arse. I can't be doing with mixing with the great unwashed, crying kids, push chairs, flotsam and jetsam ambling along without a raison d'etre.
Often then stopping without notice, without purpose, causing me to walk into them. Looking quite aghast when I question "Like, what the fuck are you doing?"
I wish I could just upload without a rant! back to the pretty flowers......for now.
Fritillaria, members of the Lilly family, give height to the displays, shame they attract those bastard lilly beetles I am forever finding them in my garden, and on average £5 a bulb an expensive feasting ground.
Love bee hotels, probably not warm enough yet for the solitary bee to be looking for a room to let.
Form an orderly queue
Muscari looking stunning with red tulips
Stunning use of scrap metal, but at a price, this Dragon is for sale at an eye watering 15,000 euros.
Keukenhof is self sufficient, it does not receive government subsidies; all its revenues are generated from ticket sales and the food, beverage and concessions on site.
In 2019 Keukenhof generated €25 million in revenue.
"Oh I say, what lovely boobies"
"Can't disagree with that old bean."
Gift shop/bulb shop. Gave that a miss, think the tube at rush hour in Mumbai and double it, pushing and shoving in the search for over priced tat.
7 million bulbs
1 million global visitors expected.