Plantmoment 2012 - UK(General events)
Credit : The Keukenhof
The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer (albeit in the most miniscule amounts), and everyone's tiring of dreary winter. It's only natural, at this time of year, to start looking forward to the spring.
Sunshine, warm days, sitting out on the terrace with an ice cold biertje. The grass is green, everyone's outdoors, and the flowers are in full bloom.
While bringing this up in the throes of winter may seem as cruel as attempting a dieter with a moist, springy chocolate cake, the idea of spring gives us something to look forward to and keeps us plugging through these cold winter days. (Besides, now that the chance of an elfstedentocht is out of the question, we've got to have something to get excited about!)
The best place that comes to mind for welcoming the spring is the Keukenhof gardens and flower fields in Lisse, just outside of Amsterdam. What other reason would bring hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to see some 7 million bulbs come into bloom.
Lilies, hyacinths, orchids, daffodils, crocuses, Amaryllis, Gerberas, irises, and so many others can be spotted in all colors, shapes, sizes, and variations. You can see, smell, buy, and get your photo taken among rows and rows of blossoms.
For 2013, the Keukenhof is teaming up with the UK to present the theme "United Kingdom: Land of Great Gardens." Highlights include the Royal gardening and landscaping exhibition at the Julianna Pavilion and, the piece de resistance: the London Big Ben and Tower Bridge... as flower mosaics!
The Keukenhof opens on 21 March and runs through May 20. Tours are available and, if you book before February 20, you'll enjoy a 5% discount.
Embrace that long-awaited spring at the Keukenhof gardens and flower fields. And who knows, you may run into Bill Clinton or Queen Elizabeth.