Photos, videos and docs of Jaap van 't Veen, with the keywords: "flowers"

Nederland - Apeldoorn, Oranjepark

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 06:40:56 +0000

The Oranjepark is the oldest citypark in Apeldoorn and was officially opened on 13 May 1876. The landscape architects, father and son Hoogeweg, were responsible for the design of the park, which was laid out in the English landscape style.

This time, I’ve taken a few photos during the unusual dry period that the Netherlands – and Apeldoorn too – was experiencing during the summer of 2026. The lawns are mostly dried out and brown. Thanks to a daily splash of water, the flowerbeds are still in full bloom.

België - Kortrijk, Rozentuin

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 07:10:24 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Rozentuin (Rose Garden) is located in the historic garden of Kasteel 't Hooge. In 1959, a section of the garden was arranged as a rosarium.

The Rozentuin - covering an area of about one hectare - has two sections. The demonstration garden with some 200 hundred rose varieties that have proven to be successful and a historical garden that paints a picture of the rose's evolution through the centuries. The garden also comprises an experimental garden (PiP5), where more than a 100 new varieties of roses from European breeders are planted every year.

Nederland - Sint Maartensvlotbrug, Wildrijk

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:26:06 +0000

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The Wildrijk is one of the smallest (800 x 240 meters) forests in the Netherlands. Yet this nature reserve is one of the most beautiful spots of the province of North Holland, especially in spring. During that time of the year it is surrounded by colourful bulb fields. The forest itself is covered with a blue carpet of thousands and thousands of wild bluebells, with some pink or white species. The flowers alternate with the fresh green of ferns.

The Wildrijk is located in the Zijperpolder, where in the past wealthy merchants from Amsterdam owned wooded country estates. Later, during the construction of the Noordhollandsch Kanaal, a lot of forest was cut down. In 1940 the area came into the possession of Landschap Noord-Holland, a Dutch foundation which aims to protect the landscape and nature of the province of North Holland.

Nederland - Noordoostpolder

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:41:42 +0000

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The Noordoostpolder is a landmass of reclaimed land in the former Zuiderzee on average more than four meters below sea level. It turned out that the bottom of this sea is very suited for the cultivation of tulips. Nowadays it has one of the largest area of bulb fields in the Netherlands with many multi-acre fields of tulips that bloom every spring.

Nederland - Anna Paulowna, Poldertuin

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 06 May 2026 06:37:47 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

After the construction of the Anna Paulownapolder an office of the water board was built. This stately home is locally known as Polderhuis. In 1885 the Poldertuin (Polder Garden) around the house was designed by landscape architect Jan David Zocher jr., who also designed the well known Vondelpark in Amsterdam and the garden of Soestdijk Palace. His gardens are characterized by winding paths and water features with bridges.

Polderhuis (nowadays privately owned) and Poldertuin were sold to the municipality. The garden is still owned by the municipality of Hollands Kroon, but since 2014 it is managed by a foundation. In autumn volunteers plant thousands and thousands flower bulbs, which are blooming between early April and mid May. The flower bulbs are donated by about hundred flower bulb growers in the region. The Poldertuin offers a large variety of springtime flowers like tulips (220 species), daffodils (125 species), hyacinths (30 species) and 35 special bulbs and tubers.

The garden is also called ‘Little Keukenhof’, although the comparison is not appropriate. Keukenhof is no less than 25 times bigger and just open for eight weeks a year. Poldertuin is open all year, can be visited free of charge and is a real hidden gem and not very known to tourists.

Nederland - Kop van Noord-Holland

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 04 May 2026 06:47:32 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the world. The soil - mostly sand - is extremely suitable for growing bulbs, because the winters are relatively warm and the spring is cool. Due to this climate, diseases are less common.

The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May.

(The Kop van Noord-Holland is my favourite region in the Netherlands for visiting flowering bulb fields. It is perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof, but definitely more attractive to me.)

In addition to these endless bulb fields, the region features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with more than 200.000 bulbs.

Nederland - Burgervlotbrug, Fluwel’s Pluk- en showtuin

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 01 May 2026 07:10:56 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Surrounded by large blooming fields lies Fluwel’s - a recognized bulb breeding company - very colourful Pluk- en showtuin.

In the pick-your-own garden one can pick its own bouquet of tulips. Next to the pick-your-own garden is a display garden. Here the company shows the tulip varieties they have for sale.

Nederland - Apeldoorn, Oranjepark

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 07:16:33 +0000

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The Oranjepark is the oldest park in Apeldoorn and was officially opened on 13 May 1876. In 1874, Hendrik Christiaan van der Houven van Oordt - he was, among other things, what we now call a project developer - purchased the local estate “De Pasch”. Building plots had been marked out on the site of the Oranjepark. Van der Houven van Oordt had another plan drawn up, which also included a walking park, to make the sale of the plots more attractive. In 1875, he transferred the land for the park and the surrounding roads to the municipality of Apeldoorn.

The landscape architects, father and son Hoogeweg, were responsible for the design of the park, which was laid out in the English landscape style. This can be seen in the curved paths, extensive lawns, groups of trees and an elongated pond. A fountain provides a splashing sound in the summer months. King Willem III of the Netherlands gave permission for the name “Oranjepark”.

France - Houlgate, ville fleurie

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 07:35:47 +0000

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The name Houlgate comes directly from the Normans, who settled in the area in the 9th century. From the 11th century onwards, the village - then called Beuzeval - was inhabited by fishermen and farmers. In the mid-19th century, beach holidays became popular and the village was renamed Beuzeval-les-Bains. In 1905, the name was changed to the current Houlgate.

Houlgate has been called “the pearl of La Côte Fleurie” (Flower Coast) for over 100 years, which is not surprising given that it has retained its Belle Epoque charm with 300 beautiful architectural villas, built in the mid to late 19th century.

The town is richly decorated with flowers around the town hall and the local tourist office. Nearby is a small rose garden.

Nederland - Kop van Noord-Holland (Schagerbrug)

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Tue, 06 May 2025 09:40:08 +0000

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The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the world. The soil - mostly sand - is extremely suitable for growing bulbs. Bulbs grow well because the winters are relatively warm and the spring is cool. Because of this favourable climate, diseases are less common.

The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May.

The Kop van Noord-Holland is our favourite region in the Netherlands for visiting flowering bulb fields. It is perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof, but definitely more attractive to us.

In addition to these endless bulb fields, the region features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with more than 200.000 bulbs.

Nederland - Limmen, Hortus Bulborum

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Sat, 03 May 2025 10:45:07 +0000

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The Hortus Bulborum is the only museum garden in the world where you can find about 4.500 different tulip, hyacinth, daffodil and other bulbous cultivars, species and varieties in bloom. Every spring the garden transforms into a treasure trove full of dazzling colours, beautiful shapes and overwhelming fragrances.

Hortus Bulborum offers about 2.650 varieties and species of historical tulips; among them the famous Duc van Tol Red and Yellow; the oldest known cultivar from 1595. This tulip laid the foundation of commercial bulb growing in the Netherlands.

Apart from tulips over 1.100 different varieties and species of daffodils can be admired, as well as more than 100 varieties of both crocuses and hyacinths and 15 of the Fritillaries imperalis. The aim of Hortus Bulborum is to maintain these cultivars and safeguard them for the future generations.

Nederland - bloembollenland

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 06:57:29 +0000

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Today the Netherlands produces billions of flower bulbs each year (of which two thirds are exported worldwide).The business of growing flower bulbs began almost 400 years ago.

The first Dutch flower bulbs grew in Leiden, in the botanical garden of the university. They were planted there by Carolus Clusius, a scientist who wrote the first major book on tulips in 1592. Leiden was the first bulb region of the Netherlands, but initially the tulips did not leave Clusius's botanical garden. Only after a theft cultivation could spread.

Once, the value of tulips was enormous. They were imported to the Netherlands from Turkey in the mid-16th century and gradually seized the passions of rich Dutchmen. In the Dutch Golden Age tulips became popular in paintings and festivals; tulip collecting amongst the elites became a popular pastime. In the mid-17th century, tulips were so popular that they created the first economic bubble, known as "Tulip Mania" (tulipomania). As people bought up bulbs, they became so expensive that they were used as money until the market in them crashed. But the Netherlands is still the centre for the trade of flowers and bulbs.

All pictures in the collage are taken in the so called "Kop van Noord-Holland" ,the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the Netherlands.

België - Arboretum Kalmthout

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:11:20 +0000

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The history of Arboretum Kalmthout goes back as far as 1856, when the Antwerp dendrologist Charles Van Geert started a proving ground in Kalmthout for his nursery in Antwerp. It remained a nursery until 1952, when the brothers Georges and Robert de Belder bought the site to create their private botanical garden there.

Under their leadership Arboretum Kalmthout grew into one of the world's most prestigious botanic collections. They introduced hundreds of new plants, which came from friends and growers all over the world. They collected seeds in the wild, and also selected a number of new cultivars. In addition to collecting new plants, increasing importance was given to scientific and educational aspects. The garden grew into one of the most valuable collections of woody plants in Europe.

In 1986 Antwerp Provincial Authority purchased the site and the property has been expanded and now measures over 33 acres The independent non-profit organisation “Arboretum Kalmthout” retained full responsibility for management, upkeep, and operation.

Jelena de Belder – the wife of Robert - was a big fan of Cyclamen, the tuberous plant from the forests of her homeland Slovenia. She planted very many of them in the garden since the 1980s. During our visit in September, we took a walk along the Cyclamen-trail with many so-called autumn cyclamen; sometimes a few together and in other places whole carpets of flowers.

Nederland - Kasteeltuinen Arcen

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:38:14 +0000

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Kasteeltuinen Arcen (Arcen Castle Gardens) is considered being one of the most varied flower and plant parks in Europe: 32 hectares full of scents and colours, unique gardens, historical parks and the 17th century Arcen Castle.

Kasteeltuinen Arcen has more than 15 unique gardens, situated around a historic country house, with a 17th century castle. Among them are the large rosarium with its rose gardens, the shady Lommerrijk, the mountain garden with its unique stone formations and waterfalls, the Italian garden, the Mediterenean garden with its typical olive trees and the oldest olive tree in the Netherlands, the Asian gardens with a Thai fishing hut, the rhododendron garden and a begonia peacock.

Nederland - Beemster

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 15 May 2024 05:51:44 +0000

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The “Beemster” is the first so called polder in the Netherlands that was reclaimed from a lake by using windmills. The “Beemster Polder” was created during the period 1609 - 1612.

The clay of the polder turned out to be very fertile for growing tulips and nowadays it is one of the newest areas where one can see vast bulb fields during springtime.

Nederland - Kop van Noord-Holland (Breezand)

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 13 May 2024 06:52:11 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the world. The soil - mostly sand - is extremely suitable for growing bulbs. Bulbs grow well because the winters are relatively warm and the spring is cool. Because of this favourable climate, diseases are less common.

The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May.

The Kop van Noord-Holland is our favourite region in the Netherlands for visiting flowering bulb fields. It is perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof, but definitely more attractive to us.

In addition to these endless bulb fields, the region features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with more than 200.000 bulbs.

Nederland - Julianadorp, Tulpen Pluktuin

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 10 May 2024 06:59:03 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Surrounded by the largest bulb flower fields of the world lies the stunningly colourful Tulpen Pluktuin (main image). This Tulip Picking Garden offers more than 150 varieties of tulips. It is possible to stroll through the garden, take pictures and pick your own tulips.

Next tot to the Picking Garden lies the so called Showtuin. During springtime - when everything is in bloom - visitors can clearly see what beautiful types of bulb flowers there are. They can be ordered at the shop of the Tulpen Pluktuin (PiPs).

Nederland - Anna Paulowna, Poldertuin

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 08 May 2024 07:55:55 +0000

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Greece - Pogoniskos/Boútsikon

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 17:00:58 +0000

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On our car journey from Molyvdoskepastos - close to the Albanian border - to Konitsa, we found ourselves on a very narrow road through a pristine stretch of nature. It was impossible to turn around and we had to drive on to the very tiny hamlet of Pogoniskos with just a couple of inhabitants. That had the advantage of taking us past a countless number of 'carpets' of wild flowers in all sorts of colours and shapes (see PiPs). The valley was enclosed by rugged cliffs.

Nederland - Kop van Noord-Holland, bollenvelden

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 08 May 2023 08:00:04 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the world. The soil - mostly sand - is extremely suitable for growing bulbs. Bulbs grow well because the winters are relatively warm and the spring is cool. Because of this favourable climate, diseases are less common.

The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May.

The Kop van Noord-Holland is our favourite region in the Netherlands for visiting flowering bulb fields. It is perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof, but definitely more attractive to us.

In addition to these endless bulb fields, the region features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with more than 200.000 bulbs.