Nederland: bloembollen

Dune and Bulb Region (Duin- en Bollenstreek): Dutch as it can be with blooming orange tulips on one of the many fields nearby the famous 'De Keukenhof'.

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the world. The soil - mostly sand - is extremely suitable for growing bulbs. Bulbs grow well because the winters are relatively warm and the spring is cool. Because of this favourable climate, diseases are less common. The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May. The Kop van Noord-Holland is our favourite region in the Netherlands for visiting flowering bulb fields. It is perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof , but definitely more attractive to us. In addition to these endless bulb fields, the region features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with more than 200.000 bulbs.

Today the Netherlands produces billions of flower bulbs each year (of which two thirds are exported worldwide).The business of growing flower bulbs began almost 400 years ago. The first Dutch flower bulbs grew in Leiden, in the botanical garden of the university. They were planted there by Carolus Clusius, a scientist who wrote the first major book on tulips in 1592. Leiden was the first bulb region of the Netherlands, but initially the tulips did not leave Clusius's botanical garden. Only after a theft cultivation could spread. Once, the value of tulips was enormous. They were imported to the Netherlands from Turkey in the mid-16th century and gradually seized the passions of rich Dutchmen. In the Dutch Golden Age tulips became popular in paintings and festivals; tulip collecting amongst the elites became a popular pastime. In the mid-17th century, tulips were so popular that they created the first economic bubble, known as "Tulip Mania" (tulipomania). As people bought up bulbs, they became so expensive that they were used as money until the market in them crashed. But the Netherlands is still the centre for the trade of flowers and bulbs.

Flowering hyacinths between Schagerbrug and Callantsoog.

Blooming crocuses in front of the famous hotel ‘Des Indes’ in The Hague.

Traditional bulb fields can be found around Egmond. These - often smaller - fields are located at the foot of the dunes. Bulb growers find an ideal soil for growing their bulbs, consisting of a mixture of dune sand and clay; in Dutch called ‘geestgrond’.

In the Netherlands the ‘kievitsbloem’ (snake’s head) is a very rare flower, which is even legally protected. Most of them - about 80% - can be found around the city of Hasselt in the province of Overijssel Sometimes there are many flowering together and people call it the natural bulb fields of the Netherlands. It is commonly found growing in grasslands in damp soils and river meadows along the rivers ‘de Vecht’ and ‘Zwarte Water’. Snake’s Heads are flowering from mid April till early May. It has a couple of names, like Snake’s Head Fritillary, Checkered Daffodil, Chess Flower and Leper Lily (in the Netherlands ‘kievitsbloem’). Pictures were taken in a small nature reserve, called ‘De Brommerd’ (see PiP).

Surrounded by the largest bulb flower fields of the world lies the stunningly colourful Tulpen Pluktuin (main image). This Tulip Picking Garden offers more than 150 varieties of tulips. It is possible to stroll through the garden, take pictures and pick your own tulips. Next tot to the Picking Garden lies the so called Showtuin . During springtime - when everything is in bloom - visitors can clearly see what beautiful types of bulb flowers there are. They can be ordered at the shop of the Tulpen Pluktuin (PiPs).

Surrounded by the largest bulb flower fields of the world lies the stunningly colourful ‘Tulpen Pluktuin’. This Tulip Picking Garden shows hundreds varieties of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and many others. It is possible to stroll through the garden, take pictures and pick your own tulips.

Blooming tulips around the village of Julianadorp. Julianadorp is located in the so called Top of North Holland, a region offering vast fields of tulips, hyacinths and narcissus in all kind of colours.

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is our favourite for visiting flowering bulb fields. Perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof , but definitely more attractive to us. The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May. In addition to these endless bulb fields the Kop van Noord-Holland features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with 220.000 bulbs.

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the world. The soil - mostly sand - is extremely suitable for growing bulbs. Bulbs grow well because the winters are relatively warm and the spring is cool. Because of this favourable climate, diseases are less common. The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May. The Kop van Noord-Holland is our favourite region in the Netherlands for visiting flowering bulb fields. It is perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof , but definitely more attractive to us. In addition to these endless bulb fields, the region features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with more than 200.000 bulbs.

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland: an authentic area, surrounded by three coasts: North Sea, Wadden Sea and IJsselmeer. The Kop van Noord-Holland is also the largest tulip area in the Netherlands. Colourful flowers and bulb fields as far as the eyes can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their different colours from mid-April until the beginning of May. In addition to the vast bulb fields the Kop van Noord-Holland features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with 220.000 bulbs. Thanks to the long springs with cool nights this part of the country is extremely suitable for tulip growing. The sandy soil in the polders is constantly drained. This creates ideal conditions for the bulbs.

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the world. The soil - mostly sand - is extremely suitable for growing bulbs. Bulbs grow well because the winters are relatively warm and the spring is cool. Because of this favourable climate, diseases are less common. The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May. The Kop van Noord-Holland is our favourit region in the Netherlands for visiting flowering bulb fields. Perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof , but definitely more attractive to us. In addition to these endless bulb fields, the region features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with more than 200.000 bulbs.

The Hortus Bulborum is the only museum garden in the world where you can find about 4.500 different tulip, hyacinth, daffodil and other bulbous cultivars, species and varieties in bloom. Every spring the garden transforms into a treasure trove full of dazzling colours, beautiful shapes and overwhelming fragrances. Hortus Bulborum offers about 2.650 varieties and species of historical tulips; among them the famous Duc van Tol Red and Yellow ; the oldest known cultivar from 1595. This tulip laid the foundation of commercial bulb growing in the Netherlands. Apart from tulips over 1.100 different varieties and species of daffodils can be admired, as well as more than 100 varieties of both crocuses and hyacinths and 15 of the Fritillaries imperalis. The aim of Hortus Bulborum is to maintain these cultivars and safeguard them for the future generations.

The Hortus Bulborum is the only museum garden in the world where you can find an enormous variety of historical tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other bulbous cultivars, species and varieties in bloom. Every spring the garden transforms into a treasure trove full of dazzling colours, beautiful shapes and overwhelming fragrances. Hortus Bulborum offers about 2.650 varieties and species of historical tulips; among them the famous ‘Duc van Tol Red and Yellow’ (PiP 1); the eldest known cultivar from 1595. More info and pictures of the 'Duc van Tol' tulip: www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/48532884 Apart from tulips over 1.100 different varieties and species of daffodils can be admired, as well as more than 100 varieties of both crocuses and hyacinths (PiP 2) and 25 of the Fritillaries imperialis (PiP 3). The aim of Hortus Bulborum is to maintain these cultivars and safeguard them for the future generations.

The “Duc van Tol” tulips are the most historic of all tulips that have been collected by the Hortus Bulborum through the years. It has a collection of more than twenty cultivars, of which “Duc van Tol Red & Yellow” of 1595 is the eldest. This tulips are among the eldest cultivated tulips ever raised in the Netherlands and laid the foundation of commercial bulb growing in the Netherlands. The early flowering “Duc van Tol” tulips were very much in demand until 1940 when production of this gtroup was discontinued. The name of “Duc van Tol” tulips probably derives from Adriaen Du(y)c(k), Lord of Oudkarspel, who married Aleid van Tol around the year of 1550. The “Duc van Tol” tulips are low, early flowering tulips whose petals often have contrasting colours. They are 20-40 cm high, but most do not reach more than 25 cm. The eldest species are the shortest. This makes them very suitable for growing in pots, which together with the early flowering period is probably the reason why they are still available in several varieties. The PiP’s on the left side show more “Duc van Tol” tulips The PiP’s on the right side show pictures from Hortus Bulborum More info about Hortus Bulborum: www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/37859542

The Hortus Bulborum is the only museum garden in the world where you can find about 4.500 different tulip, hyacinth, daffodil and other bulbous cultivars, species and varieties in bloom. Every spring the garden transforms into a treasure trove full of dazzling colours, beautiful shapes and overwhelming fragrances. Hortus Bulborum offers about 2.650 varieties and species of historical tulips; among them the famous Duc van Tol Red and Yellow ; the oldest known cultivar from 1595. This tulip laid the foundation of commercial bulb growing in the Netherlands. Apart from tulips over 1.100 different varieties and species of daffodils can be admired, as well as more than 100 varieties of both crocuses and hyacinths and 15 of the Fritillaries imperalis. The aim of Hortus Bulborum is to maintain these cultivars and safeguard them for the future generations. 2021 visit: Although the Hortus was officially closed due to the corona pandemic, the gate at the back of the garden was open. When I asked one of the volunteers - busy taking care of the flowers - I got permission to take a few quick pictures. Unlike during our other visits, the daffodils were still in full bloom.