Spring in Holland

Keukenhof – know as the Garden of Europe – is the one of the best places to view the abundance of spring flowers in the South Holland region of the Netherlands Amsterdam's flower market – the Bloemenmarkt – reflects the country's passion for cut flowers and plants Around seven million bulbs are planted each year in the park at Keukenhof, in an area of 32 hectares The Bloemenmarkt - set on the capital's Singel canal and said to be the world's only floating flower market - has a score of stalls where you can buy all sorts of plants, flowers, bulbs and seeds The mild climate of Holland, with its wet springs makes it an ideal place for bulb cultivation Tulips originated in the east and were brought to Holland from the Ottoman Empire in the mid 1500s In springtime, the lowland area by the North Sea is carpeted with fields of gladioli, hyacinths, lilies, daffodils, crocuses... and, of course, tulips Keukenhof - literally 'kitchen garden' - is part of the hunting grounds of the ancient Teylingen estate This year, the theme for the Keukenhof exhibition is Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers The patchwork quilt of colours in the Keukenhof park, just outside Lisse in South Holland, is a veritable feast for the eyes The bulbs of Keukenhof are re-planted each year according to the current trends and in collaboration with a number of gardening magazines Spring in Keukenhof is one of the main tourist attractions of the Netherlands   The best way to appreciate the full glory of the Dutch spring is to hire a bike and cycle one of the tourist routes among the bulb fields