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When the daffodils started to flower at the end of December I was a bit afraid for a very early springtime. Luckily we had some snow, ice and almost an Elfstedentocht (a famous Dutch ice skating tour) After that I was not sure what the effect was on the flowers.
This morning driving to Keukenhof I was sure … we have an early spring this year. The flower fields are full with color and it is still in March. Everywhere around Lisse you see the flower fields getting to bloom. The pink and purple of the hyacinths next to the yellow daffodils and the red tulips.
The fields with daffodils I photographed two weeks ago are almost done blooming and so was the early tulip field and the crocus field. Luckily there are many more fields to see. The hyacinths are getting the color since this week. And everywhere you see color changes. One day just a hint of color and the next morning full with color, still very spectacular.
Many of the large flower beds in Keukenhof are to my surprise still green. Daffodils and crocuses are in full bloom. Hyacinths are getting ready and the outdoor tulips are having a winter sleep ;-). The weather is turning colder again even with a little bit of much needed rain.
Photo’s can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nring23/collections/
Indoor the tulip exhibition is at its peak. It is fun to watch the people taking photographs or telling to each other “have you seen those tulips, gorgeous!” , by the next tulips “Wonderful”, or “I want those for my garden”! Or to see are the Asian tourists who have special sticks to put their camera on so they can photograph themselves with the flowers . The other indoor exhibitions with freesias and the orchids are full with color.
Next week
If you are travelling next week you will find a lot of colorful flower fields around Keukenhof. In the Keukenhof you will see all kinds of flowers, but the fresh green of spring flowers (not flowering yet) are still present. The weather next week will be typical spring weather, wear layers of clothes, bring a umbrella. With a little bit of rain and coldness the flowers stays fresh much longer.
Advice for travelers in May
I know that a lot of you are travelling in May. A little advice for you … if you are travelling only for flower fields and tulips to the keukenhof, I would wait a bit with buying your online tickets or booking tours to Keukenhof.
The keukenhof is a beautiful park also in the end of May with flowering plants, exhibitions etc. But with the present status I am not sure what the flower fields and tulips will look like at the end of season. Entrance tickets are all season available at the cashiers from Keukenhof so no need to book them now. If you are travelling in May make sure that your visit to Keukenhof is early in your itinerary. I will keep posting updates here so you can see if a trip to keukenhof is still worthwhile for you.
Advice for travelers in 2013
And for those of you making travel plans for next year. No I don’t know when the peak of tulips flowering in 2013 is. 🙂 Spring flowers are nature and depends on temperatures of winter and springtime. 2010 was a late spring, 2011 an early and 2012 very early spring. Normally the last 2 weeks of April are the best time to see the flower fields and Keukenhof. Only way to be sure to see tulips and flower fields is to travel the whole month of April to the Netherlands. Or be flexible and make it a last minute trip.
Have a good weekend and hope to see you soon in the Keukenhof!
Nina
