Liberation Day

Following Remembrance Day on 4 May, today is Liberation Day ('Bevrijdingsdag' in Dutch) on which we celebrate the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II.

The photo was made last month and shows one of many flowerbeds in Spring Garden Keukenhof. I'm linking to Floral Friday Fotos.

Keukenhof #7

One of the sculptures on the grounds of the Keukenhof Spring garden is this beautiful piece named "Najade". It is made from Corton steel, known for its rust-like appearance.

The sculptor is Jack van Iwaarden de Vreede (1962). When I googled for the name "Najade" I found that it has several meanings, one of them is a Greek water nymph. Isn´t it lovely?

Keukenhof #6

Vrolijk Pasen!

Happy Easter!

Keukenhof #5

This mirror-like screen hung semi-circular from the tree branches down, creating a peculiar reflection as the ground is now down ánd up. Photo taken at the Keukenhof flower park last Monday.
Happy Easter!

I'm linking to Weekend Reflections.

Bulb fields

The Keukenhof and the nearby village of Lisse are located in the so-called 'Bulb Region' ('Bollenstreek' in Dutch), in the west part of the Netherlands. Floriculture, the processing of bulbs for export, and other activities in the floral industry are major economic activities in this area.

When the bulb fields are in bloom it is one of our country's most visited tourist attractions. These 2 photos were taken from a viewing platform at the edge of the Keukenhof.

I'm linking to Floral Friday Fotos.

Keukenhof #4

On the grounds of the Keukenhof several pavilions have flower shows. This is a flower arrangement with Gerberas inside the Orange-Nassau Pavilion..

..and here we are at the Orchid show in the Beatrix Pavilion.

Keukenhof #3

I can't imagine the effort it takes for the gardeners at the Keukenhof to keep the many flower beds as neat as they were when we were there. Here the daffodils are tidied, watched by a growing number of people..

..and this man was putting iron sticks at each single hyacinth to keep it standing straight.

Keukenhof #2

The history of Keukenhof goes back to the 15th century, when Countess Jacqueline of Bavaria, Jacoba van Beieren (1401-1436) gathered fruit and vegetables here for the kitchen of Teylingen Castle. Keukenhof Castle was built in 1641, and the estate grew to an area of over 200 hectares.

The castle gardens were redesigned in 1857. That park, in the English landscape style, still forms the basis of Keukenhof. In 1949 a group of flower bulb exporters came up with a plan to use the estate for a permanent exhibition of spring-flowering bulbs, and the park opened its gates to the public in 1950.
If you would like to read more click HERE.

Keukenhof #1

We drove to the Dutch North Sea coast yesterday, spent the night there and we visited the Keukenhof today, in the village of Lisse. The Keukenhof (lit. "Kitchen Garden") is an annual Spring garden and flower show, with 32 hectares of flowers and 700 million (!) bulbs in bloom this Spring. Apart from many different varieties of tulips we also saw other Spring flowers like hyacinths and daffodils.

It was so great to be there and we were amazed to see the many beautiful flowers and combinations of colours. More photos will follow the coming days.

I'm linking to All Seasons.