Destination Amsterdam: Flower Power

On a recent trip to Amsterdam, I ventured outside the city to explore two places that showcase the beauty the Netherlands is known for worldwide: flowers. 

I toured Royal FloraHolland, in Aalsmeer, the largest marketplace for flowers in the world, and spent several hours at Keukenhof Gardens, in Lisse, known as the "Garden of Europe."

Royal FloraHolland

Keukenhof Gardens

Flowers are ready to transport

Royal FloraHolland handles 10.3 billion flowers annually, operating 24/7 to meet the international demand. It's almost dizzying to watch carts of flowers being moved across the warehouse floor and sorted in various places to eventually be transported to numerous countries. You wonder how they keep track of everything.

The plant, which is the size of 243 soccer fields, handles about 100,000 transactions daily and has 3,500 employees to keep things moving smoothly, according to the company. Check out this video from Royal FloraHolland to see what transpires on the floor each day.

Here are a few facts and figures provided by the Royal FloraHolland:

• 23,200 different species of flowers and plants.

• 

  Legos flower pot

  Roses rank as the No. 1 flower with 2.9 billion annually, followed by the tulip with 1.5 billion and the chrysanthemum at 1.2 billion. The top three plants are phalaenopsis/orchids (106 million), kalanchoe (83 million), and potted rose (49 million). 
• The top export countries are Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Poland; the top import countries are Kenya, Ethiopia, Israel, Belgium, and Germany.
• Royal FloraHolland is an association and cooperative with about 2,300 buyers, 3,000 members from Africa, Asia, and Europe, and 4,800 suppliers. 

It's probably a surprise to many people—and it was to me—but the tulip is not the national flower of the Netherlands. That honor goes to the daisy, which was selected in a public vote in 2023. The reason is that the tulip isn't a native plant; that distinction goes to Turkey. It's also the national flower of Hungary.

In my home state of Kentucky, tulips are in bloom on the state capitol grounds until early May. And they come from the Netherlands!

More than 7 million tulips, daffodils, and other bulb flowers display their glorious spring colors at Keukenhof Gardens. The grounds cover 79 acres of beautiful blooms that you can view by walking in the gardens, three pavilions, and exhibits; on a 45-minute boat ride through the fields surrounding Keukenhof; or by bicycle (the Dutch love their bikes). Guided tours are also provided.

The gardens also include a petting zoo and playground for children, a windmill, shops, and a food court. The facility is open through May 11.

This year is special as it marks the 75th anniversary of Keukenhof Gardens. Click here for more information about the history of the gardens.

Until the next time . . .