Keukenhof: where spring starts

Keukenhof: where spring starts

Lisse, 19 March 2026 – Today, Keukenhof once again opened its gates to the public. During the 53-day opening period, 1.4 million people from all over the world will visit the spring garden. Keukenhof thus makes a significant contribution to the Dutch tourism and floriculture sectors.

New visual identity

Since October 2025, Keukenhof has been presenting itself in a new look. The introduction of a refreshed visual identity marks a step forward in the brand’s further development. The new style does justice to Keukenhof’s origins and character. A unique estate steeped in history and character, as well as a world-famous flower show that amazes visitors every spring. The brand demonstrates that it is ready for the future.

Juliana Pavilion

Over the past few months, the Juliana Pavilion at Keukenhof has undergone a complete renovation. This renovation has prepared the pavilion to host a flower show for the first time in years. The orchid show, previously held in the Beatrix Pavilion, is moving permanently to the Juliana Pavilion this season. Orchids are exceptionally versatile plants, with an enormous variety of species, shapes and colours. This versatility is highlighted in a unique way in the new show. The exhibition is divided into five themes: habitats, the orchid trade, culture, anatomy and seduction. Each topic is explored in an accessible and educational manner. Creative floral arrangements form the heart of the exhibition, and the catering facilities are an integral part of the show.

Keukenhof Estate

The Keukenhof Flower Exhibition is located in the heart of the blooming Bulb Region. The 32-hectare exhibition is part of the 260-hectare Keukenhof Estate, which includes 16 national heritage monuments. Keukenhof Castle was built in 1641 as a country retreat for a wealthy Amsterdam merchant. It later came into noble hands. The English landscape garden, designed in 1857 by Jan David Zocher and his son, still forms the foundation of today’s Keukenhof.

Keukenhof was created by a group of flower bulb growers and exporters who wanted a show garden to display their products. In 1949, they selected the grounds around Keukenhof Castle as the ideal showcase.

Keukenhof for the Industry: Flower Bulb, Flower, and Plant Sectors

Keukenhof serves as the premier platform for the Dutch ornamental horticulture sector. It offers bulb, flower, and plant growers a unique opportunity to showcase their products. Each year, the park is newly designed. The Keukenhof designer draws inspiration from trends and incorporates the growers’ preferences into the layout. This way, visitors take home fresh ideas they can use themselves. These trends are also applied in the flower shows by a floral designer. In this way, Keukenhof and the growers reinforce one another.

In three pavilions, a floral designer creates magnificent flower shows. Some 500 growers and trade companies supply their finest flowers and plants for these displays.

The Park

In the historic park from 1857—designed in the English landscape style by the Zochers—flowering bulbs thrive. Although the main focus remains on bulbs, Keukenhof also features beautiful trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers.

Each year, 40 gardeners plant 7 million bulbs in the 32-hectare park. Once the season ends, preparations for the next year begin: digging, planting, and blooming. To give Keukenhof a fresh look annually, different garden designs are made each year. The park includes 1,600 types of bulb plants, of which 800 are tulip varieties. These are combined in such a way that the park remains in bloom for nearly eight weeks every spring.

In the natural garden and the windmill forest, shrubs and perennials are combined with naturalized bulbs. The historical garden features ancient tulip varieties, some dating back hundreds of years. Here, visitors learn about the history of tulips and daffodils—from the arrival of the first varieties in the Netherlands to the breeding of new colors, shapes, and sizes.

Jacoba

The “Jacobas of Keukenhof,” who have served as hostesses of the flower exhibition since 1950, are named in honor of one of the region’s most famous historical figures: Jacoba of Bavaria (1401–1436). As the only child of Count William VI of Holland, Jacoba was his heir—but her claim was disputed due to her gender. Despite four marriages and a lengthy struggle, she never ruled and spent her final years imprisoned in Teylingen Castle. In medieval times, the area now known as Keukenhof Estate served as a hunting ground that supplied food for the castle kitchen—hence the name “Keukenduyn” (Kitchen Dune).

• In 2025, Keukenhof welcomed 1.4 million visitors, 80% of whom came from abroad.
• The park covers 32 hectares; the full Keukenhof Estate, including the castle, spans 260 hectares and contains 16 national monuments.
• 7 million flower bulbs are planted annually in more than 1,600 varieties.
• The bulbs are supplied by 100 “exhibitors”—bulb growers and exporters.
• Over 8500 kilograms of annual grass seed are sown each year.
• The park includes a total of 15 kilometers of walking paths.
• Keukenhof has more than 2,500 trees across over 100 different species.
• There are over 100 varieties of flowering cherry trees (Prunus).
• About 50 art objects by various artists are displayed.
• In the historical garden, tulips hundreds of years old bloom, and visitors learn about the history of tulips and daffodils.
• Electric whisper boats offer scenic trips through the bulb fields around Keukenhof.
• The 1892 windmill has stood at Keukenhof since 1957 and was a gift from Holland America Line.
• Carolus Clusius played a key role in introducing the tulip to the Netherlands in 1594.
• Around 1857, the original park design was created by Haarlem-based landscape architects father and son Zocher.
• In 1949, a group of bulb growers and exporters developed the concept of a flower exhibition as a showcase for the bulb trade.

In 2026, Keukenhof is open from March 19 through May 10.