Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: tulpen

The “Beemster” is the first so called polder in the Netherlands that was reclaimed from a lake by using windmills. The “Beemster Polder” was created during the period 1609 - 1612. The clay of the polder turned out to be very fertile for growing tulips and nowadays it is one of the newest areas where one can see vast bulb fields during springtime.

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).

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.

Traditional bulb fields can be found around the area between Castricum and Bergen. 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’.

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 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.

The oldest mention of the reformed church in Limmen dates from the year 740, when the dilapidated church was renewed. Around 800 there is talk of - presumably - a wooden church in Limbon, which was owned by the St. Maartenskerk in Utrecht. In the 13th century a tower was built, separate from the existing tuff hall church. A century later, a large brick church with a choir was added and the tower was then built in. The whole building was twice as big as can be seen today. In 1598 the church was restored from the destruction by the Spanish troops during the siege of the city of Alkmaar and became its present form. The last ruins were cleared in 1806, but are still partly visible. The church with its tower - which has a bell dating from 1650 - is a national monument. The last restoration was carried out in the years 2000/2001. As you can see the church is located next to the Hortus Bulborum ( www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/37859542 ).

Pick your own bouquet of tulips - with or without a bulb. Walk with a bucket and scissors through the tulip fields and pick the color or shape you like. That is possible in the Pluktuin in Bakkum .

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 Noordoostpolder is a landmass of reclaimed land in the former Zuiderzee on average more than four meters below sea level. It turned out that the bottom of this sea is very suited for the cultivation of tulips. Nowadays it has one of the largest area of bulb fields in the Netherlands with many multi-acre fields of tulips that bloom every spring. During the so called ‘Tulip Festival’- from about mid April until around the beginning of May (depending on weather conditions - visitors can enjoy the vast tulip fields along a special bike and car route. The tulip route through Noordoostpolder has a length of about 100 km’s, leading visitors past the most beautiful tulip fields. See for more information and exact dates: www.vvvnoordoostpolder.nl/en/activiteitenkaart/detail/tulpenfestival-2018--6e4d42c1-c794-4577-8d22-923f67027d53

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 ‘Beemster’ is the first so called polder in the Netherlands that was reclaimed from a lake by using windmills. The ‘Beemster Polder’ was created during the period 1609 - 1612. The clay of the polder turned out to be very fertile for growing tulips and nowadays it is one of the newest areas in the Netherlands where one can see vast bulb fields during springtime.

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’.

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.

Museummolen Schermerhorn - officially named ‘Ondermolen D’ - is a windmill dating back to 1634 and was used to drain the water from the Schermerpolder. This mill is the only windmill from the Dutch Golden Century, which can be visited from bottom to the top (inside). Stroll through the rooms were the miller and his family lived and worked in the 19th and early 20th century, see the open fire/kitchen and the box-beds where up to ten people had to sleep. It is not very spacious, but at least they had a glorious view over the flat polder. When there is enough wind one can see through a glass bottom how the screw pump conveys water to a higher level. For more pics/info about the Schermer windmills: www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/41705132

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.

Flowering tulips between Schagerbrug and Callantsoog (nearby De Stolpen).

Red and yellow tulips in the Noordoostpolder between Emmeloord and Espel.