Today (October 6, 2022), the gardeners at Keukenhof in the Netherlands planted the first flower bulbs. This signalled the start of preparations for the 2023 season.

Over the coming three months, seven million flower bulbs will be hand planted. The flower exhibition will open its gates to visitors again March 23, 2023.

A warm autumn sun shone as the first flower bulbs were planted today, but that isn’t always the case. Our 40 gardeners will plant some seven million flower bulbs one by one, by hand, come rain or shine. It’s a race against the clock because all the flower bulbs have to be planted before Christmas.

Keukenhof started in Lisse in 1949 as an initiative by ten flower bulb growers who wanted to showcase the Dutch flower bulb trade. Keukenhof continues to be important to floriculture to this day. Hundreds of exhibitors show off their best range of flower bulbs at Keukenhof. Coming year we will welcome four new exhibitors including Horizon Flower Family from Zwaagdijk. Their ‘grown for a smile’ motto is perfect for the many happy visitors Keukenhof receives every spring.

Hint: plant your flower bulbs now

If you want a colorful spring garden or balcony, you should start now. Buy your flower bulbs and plant them before mid-December. You can do so per variety or color, but a good mix of colors and varieties is also wonderful in spring. A tip from Keukenhof’s designer Frans Beijk: ”Want a nice, warm mix? If so, use colors such as yellow, orange, red or pink. Or would you rather create a real eyecatcher? If so, use contrasting colors such as red and green or purple and yellow’.’

Next year, Keukenhof will be open from March 23 to May 14, 2023. Tickets will be available from mid-November onwards online.

(Photos courtesy of Keukenhof)