Good Guy went to Keuchenhof Gardens, The Netherlands

Good guy

I'm including some of the many photos I took at the Keuchenhof Gardens during my visit last week. This visit was a bucket-list item for me - the difficulty has been picking which photos to include. So I have chosen a few which, I hope, give a flavour of what interested me on the day.
I'm so glad I made the visit, I could have spent all day there. And the layout is such that the views are ever changing and there are plenty of places to sit for a rest or just to gawp!
I bought some leucojums to add to those I already have and they were well priced. I bought fritillaries, eucomis, cyclamen and crown imperials at the flower market in Amsterdam and they are all now planted.
I will let what I saw in the gardens trickle its way through my subconscious and wait and see what bulb-planting ideas come up for me, that are applicable in my garden.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 1:26 am Post subject:

WOW! Even more stunning than I remember.

Tried crown imperial once - great the first year, then vanished! Hope you have more luck.

Ado 2 · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:15 am Post subject:

The photos are great. Another garden to add to my list to visit. Thanks for sharing

Margo · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:45 am Post subject:

Smashing did you have to get a mortgage out on your return. I remember spending a load of money

Good guy · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:05 am Post subject:

Re crown imperials - Sue, I hope mine last longer, but its fingers crossed! I planted them a foot deep and incorporated leaf mould and grit and the place they are in doesn't get waterlogged, so we shall see.
I only spent about €35 in total, Margo. But I did have to curb my enthusiasm! However, those tulips I really admired, I got a photo of, including the grower's name and website.
I meant to say, the non-traditional informal mixed planting in the big bed at the entrance was designed by the Dutch lady whose name escapes me who gave a fascinating talk last year at one of the Mr Middleton Masterclasses. Her thing is planting bulbs in layers, with perennials. I tried that out on a small scale for my garden in the autumn and it's looking good.

Good guy

The tulips and daffs are looking good and i like the way the perennials arecstarting to bulk up. This was planted in the autumn.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:38 am Post subject:

I do the layering thing in pots. If I plant tulips in the garden, they vanish! Pots work well though and give a long season of colour.

Good guy · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 4:04 pm Post subject:

The Dutch expert at Mr Mid said that most tulips ( though perhaps not the fancier ones) should last for years if planted deep enough. She said at least 20cm! So i will see.

Blowin · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:03 pm Post subject:

Was that a long old drive, GG, or did you fly?

Good guy · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:51 pm Post subject:

Flew Belfast George Best to Schipol with KLM. Used an organised tour by bus for visit - pricey but you get the benefit of the tour guide's info on the way - our lady was good. I now know how they turn seabed into farmland - i often wondered. If i was going again i'd use the public bus service, changing at Schipol. That would be far cheaper - entry to the gardens is €16.

Good guy · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:52 pm Post subject:

Flew Belfast George Best to Schipol with KLM. Used an organised tour by bus for visit - pricey but you get the benefit of the tour guide's info on the way - our lady was good. I now know how they turn seabed into farmland - i often wondered. If i was going again i'd use the public bus service, changing at Schipol. That would be far cheaper - entry to the gardens is €16.

tagwex · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 10:35 pm Post subject:

Such a mixture. From informal to formal in a few short steps. Query. Any hassle bringing seed/bulbs in from another country? Or are there any regulations? I was in in Amsterdam 4 or 5 years ago. Didn't go to no gardens though!!!! The one thing I do remember though was the double decker trains.

Blowin · Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 7:27 am Post subject:

If you can organise your schedule and finances next time, there's an awful lot to say for taking your own car for such trips. Amsterdam's got a lot to see (besides the Oude Kerke tour that Tagwex obviously did) and you can also stop off at places like Bruges and a chocolate factory without worrying about the weight of your suitcase.

Margo · Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:27 am Post subject:

Well worth that entry fee GG €16 which works out at sterling £13.46. Couldn't believe last week I heard that the Eden Project in Cornwall UK costs €32.69 or £27.50 to get in and that's certainly not worth it.
When we went to Keuchenhof, the following day we went to an enormous model village

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:41 am Post subject:

We saw that too! It was the flower market that fascinated me. All those people bidding on flowers and in those, pre digital, days I seem to remember a huge 'clock' on the wall, something to do with the prices? We were on a walk-way up above the market. We did the rounds, windmills, clog makers, the Rijksmuseum - fabulous! But it was the Keuchenhof that sticks in my mind. Well it would, wouldn't it? Very Happy