Keukenhof is about to open its doors! It’s the place to celebrate spring in the Netherlands. The flower park in Lisse will be open for the 74th time from March 23, 2023. It’s one of the most beautiful attractions in The Netherlands and is visited by people from all over the world.

Also read: How to style the Colour of the Year 2023: Viva Magenta

 

Keukenhof 2023

Keukenhof will be open from Thursday 23 March to Sunday 14 May 2023. The 15 km hiking trails are laid out in such a way that you have a spectacular view of the fragrant flower gardens and flower greenhouses. During your walk, you will see unique, weekly changing flower shows, beautiful ponds and various pavilions with restaurants and terraces. In addition to the flower gardens, Keukenhof is also home to the largest sculpture park in the Netherlands. You can admire many images here, made by national and international artists.

Keukenhof displays flowers and blooming plants not only outdoors, but also indoors. In the Beatrix Pavilion, you can enjoy orchids in a wonderful colourful ambiance!

 

 

Theme 2023

Each year, Keukenhof has a special theme to which the designs of the gardens and the flower shows in the pavilions are inspired. Last year it was ‘Flower Classics’: a classic and timeless theme, and also a reference to art. In 2023, Keukenhof has no overarching theme. The flower shows will each have their own theme, making a visit to Keukenhof even more varied. In addition, flowers, colours and scents connect in any way; this is a theme in itself!

 

 

Practical information

Keukenhof is open from Thursday 23 March to Sunday 14 May 2023, from 8:00 am – 7:30 pm. More information and tickets can be found on their website.

Address:
Stationsweg 166A
2161 AM Lisse

 

Also read: The style trends for 2023 in the field of flowers and houseplants

From a distance Oncidium looks like a green plant with a radiant flowering crown, but up close this beautiful lady turns out to be wearing a host of small flowers. Oncidium also has the very wild name of tiger orchid, because the flowers often come in yellow and brown.

Styling

Oncidium’s bright flowers require a suitable counterbalance at the bottom: black shiny porcelain or dark red ceramic show the colour at its best, as does wood for those who prefer a natural style statement.

Orchid of the month

Every month we present a new orchid of the month. Want to find out which orchid it will be next month? Take a look at the list.

Purple, grown, green, flame, sometimes a leopard print and always a full, strikingly marked lip – Zygopetalum does not do minimalism. You also keep staring at her because at first glance she appears to have two different flowers. The crown consists of five brown and green sepals from which a voluptuous lip emerges. In the jungle it provides excellent camouflage; in the living room this lady attracts special attention.

Styling

Zygopetalum looks great in wooden pots or robust brown earthenware. Echoing the brown of the upper petals in the base creates a stylish whole.

Orchid of the month

Every month we present a new orchid of the month. Want to find out which orchid it will be next month? Take a look at the list.

 

Phalaenopsis is everyone’s friend. This fabulous orchid can be found in many homes, since it is by far the best-known of all the orchids.
There are over 20,000 different varieties of Phalaenopsis.
The great thing about this plant is that it can bloom for up to 12 weeks.
It’s a plant that you can enjoy for a long time!

Fact: These orchids originally grew in trees, in cracks in rocks or in very permeable soil like humus. They originate from Southeast Asia and Australia.

Caring for Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis is not a big drinker. The plant likes to be given some water once the soil is fairly dry. You should do this roughly every seven to ten days  (approximately every five to seven days in the summer), preferably in the morning. In the winter the plant likes to be sprayed from time to time, but be careful not to spray the flowers.

The Phalaenopsis orchid likes a sunny spot, but not in direct sunlight, since this can damage the leaves. Nor should you place the plant in a draught, or near fruit (bananas and orchids are a particularly bad mix!).

The plant does best at a minimum daytime temperature of around 19°C, and night-time temperature of 16°C. The temperature should never drop below 16°C, because the roots stop working at 15°C.

Tip: If the plant drops its buds, that is because it has been too cold, given too much water or too little light.

But how do you know how to help your plant? If the leaves get darker, the orchid needs a lighter position.
If the shine disappears or the leaves get scorched, it is too directly in the sun.

Maintaining a Phalaenopsis

The plant likes to be fed from time to time in the spring and summer. You should use special orchid food for this. The packaging tells you how to use it.

Orchids like to be repotted once every 2 to 3 years in a pot that is at least 20% larger than the previous pot. Never repot the plant with ‘normal’ potting soil, but with special potting soil for orchids. The plant prefers it if you do this during the spring, when it can best repair any damage.

Most people throw their plant away when it has finished flowering, but that’s a real waste for a plant that’s still doing very well!
What should you do in order to encourage new flowers? Cut a stem that has finished flowering (12 cm below the flower that has finished blooming).

Remove the dead leaves and the old flower stems. Use sharp and clean tools for this!

Then put the plant away a spot that is seven degrees cooler, but continue to look after the plant in the same way.
After a while the plant will develop new shoots and produce new stems. It will take around 100 days before the orchid starts flowering again.

Orchids at Easter

As well as being very suitable for styling your interior, the orchid can also be a star of your Easter table.
Choose soft shades like white and lilac combined with yellow for the ultimate Easter vibe!

Tip 1: After Easter orchids are fabulous as summer or spring styling in your interior!

Tip 2: Place an orchid flower in a bowl with water. That way you are using flowers in a different way to decorate the table, which also looks very festive!

Tip 3: Combine various colours of orchids on the table to give depth and a playful effect.

Thanks to: draadenspijker.com

You can enjoy your orchid during the summer months too, when we spend a lot of time outdoors. Most orchid species can be placed outside, and they look so nice on your terrace or balcony! Did you know that there are special garden orchids too? Read all about it in this article!

Orchids on your terrace or balcony

A number of orchid species such as Cymbidium, Dendrobium and Cambria can happily be placed outside in spring and summer in order to bring colour to your garden table or balcony. By putting your Orchid outside you encourage the plant the produce buds. But do keep a close eye on the outdoor temperature, especially in the evening. It should not be less than 9 °C or more than 25 °C. Choose a spot out of the wind and in the shade. Avoid bright afternoon sun and take advantage of the mild morning and evening sun. Do water your plant a bit more often when it’s outdoors! Important to note: make sure there are no snails around.

Also read: Garden trends with outdoor orchids

 

Garden orchids

There are also special garden orchids available, such as Dactylorhiza and Epipactus. These species can generally cope well with full sun, provided that the plants always have moisture available. Good places for planting are along the edge of a pond for example. Make sure that the roots are not constantly under water; because they don’t like that. They’re actually waterside plants. If you don’t have a pond in your garden, then it’s better to place the Dactylorhiza and Epipactus in partial shade.

Garden orchids grow in areas where the temperature can drop below -20 °C. These orchids protect themselves by staying below ground in the winter. In the spring they emerge from the ground and within 3 to 4 weeks they are already in bloom. After this you have 3 to 8 weeks of enjoyment – depending on the variety.

Read all about the garden orchid in this article!

  

Photos: Judith Prins Tuinorchideeën

The 68th edition of the Keukenhof got underway in Lisse on 23 March 2017, and one of the highlights is the orchid show in the Beatrix Pavilion. There are hundreds of orchids on display in all colours, shapes and sizes. The theme is “Dutch Design”, which fits perfectly with the orchid because this plant is a true style icon.

Orchids as source of inspiration
For Dutch designers, the orchid is a source of inspiration. The elegant Orchid Shoes from shoe designer Jan Jansen are exhibited in a life-size window display alongside orchids in matching rich colours.

   

The Orchid Twister from interior designer François Hannes is also on show. This is a unique interior accessory which is designed to let the orchids shine. The Orchid Basket from Roderick Vos combines different kinds of white orchids, proving that simplicity is a thing of beauty.

   

Extensive orchid family
The Orchid Cloud is eye-catching and perfect for photo opportunities. The extensive family of orchids are placed in unique 3D printed pots and displayed together on a mirrored stage. You can admire these exotic orchids for eight weeks at the Keukenhof.

And … do you want to know which one of these beautiful plants suits you best? No problem! Just take a short, fun test on iPads in the pavilion to discover the “orchid for you”.

   

The Keukenhof closes its doors on 21 May 2017. By then around a million visitors from all over the world will have visited this unique flower and plant show.

https://keukenhof.nl/en/

Mothers are sweet, caring and always ready to go that extra mile for their children.  For that reason they deserve to be celebrated with an exceptional and symbolic gift on Mother’s Day – Sunday 26^th March. Gifting an orchid – also knowns as the queen of the plants – is the perfect way to show your mother how much you appreciate her.

Symbolic value
Orchids have a special meaning: they stand for beauty, wealth and power. A personal gift to let your mother know that you love her. Does she have a favourite colour? Is it modest and serene or more exuberant and bright? With more than 25,000 species, the orchid family is one of the largest plant families on earth. Each plant is unique and has its own meaning, perfect for finding an orchid that matches your mother’s style and personality.

Femininity, peace and friendship
Surprising your mother, mother-in-law or grandmother with an orchid is a great way of expressing your love for her. The most well-known type of orchid is the Phalanaenopsis (butterfly orchid), which symbolises elegance and femininity. The blue Vanda on the other hand is rare and symbolic, standing for peace in India, this orchid is only sold at specialised florists or garden centers. The Cymbidium is rather unique because of her branches topped with round flowers and grass like leaves. This orchid stands for unconditional friendship.

Orchids and care
An orchid is an appropriate gift even for mothers who are not too fond of gardening. Orchids can be seen as epiphytes and grow their roots upwards. Because of this, people assume it’s a plant for advanced gardeners which is definitely not the case.  The plant needs watering just once a week for 10 minutes (along with nourishment) and let it leak. Place the plant in a position with access to light, but not directly in the sunlight or in a draught. These tips you will make the orchid and your mother very happy.

About the campaign ‘We feel better around orchids’
This material is produced originally on behalf of a program which is co-financed by the European Union between 2016-2018.

Orchid lovers were inspired by the magical “Orchids Festival” at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London (4 February – 5 March 2017).

Inspired by the vibrant colours, culture and magnificent plant life of India, this year’s festival featured giant floral displays created using exotic orchids. Indian riksjas and life-sized animal figures including an elephant, peacock and monkey were decorated with i.e. Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum and Dendrobium. Phalaenopsis drops hung delicately from the ceiling, while a beautifully embellished traditional Indian marriage swing swayed among the Vandas, This year’s more dan 36,000 different orchids were present at the floral festival.

  

Elisa Biondi, Princess of Wales Conservatory Supervisor, RBG Kew says, “This year’s Orchids festival was really special and different. It immersed visitors in the sights, senses and sounds of India’s exotic and vibrant culture. Together with the amount of orchids we created an explosion of unique and colourful beauty.

  

The Orchid festival also included creative workshops with orchids, film screenings, behind-the-scenes tours and ‘Orchid Lates’, allowed you to experience the horticultural paradise after hours with cocktails and live performances.

  

More information: http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/orchids

Ashley James is thrilled to be the UK ambassador of the orchid. With her cheerful personality and her passion for orchids she is eager to show everybody how orchids can make you happier. Throughout the year she will also inspire all of us about the many faces of the plant. More than 25,000 faces to be specific, because that’s how many species of orchids exist. With so many different orchids available, you can imagine there is an orchid for every personality, every social occasion and every interior.

Favourite orchids of Ashley James
Ashley can remember having a fondness for the orchid since the age of eight and out of the 25,000 species; she has managed to choose her three favorites:

• Dendrobium – The name is from the Greek dendron (“tree”) and bios (“life”); it means “one who lives on trees”, or, essentially, “epiphyte”.
• Cymbidium – Or ‘boat orchid’ to some. The new Latin genus name is derived from the Latin cymba meaning boat.
• Phalaenopsis – Also known as moth orchids, and the most popular orchid.

Show who you are
Ashley James is this year’s ambassador of the new European Union co-funded 3 year campaign called ‘We feel better around orchids: show who you  are’. Basic thought behind the campaign is the fact that orchids show who you are: there are so many species of orchids that there is an orchid for every personality, every social occasion and every interior. On several social platforms and occasions – for example during the International Day of the Orchid on Thursday the 1^st of September – Ashley will show the versatility of the orchid.

About Ashley James
As well as building a successful acting career, Ashley is an international model with agencies in Istanbul, Milan and London. Throughout her modelling career she has been the face of many well-known brands.

About the campaign ‘We feel better around orchids’
This material is produced originally on behalf of a program which is co-financed by the European Union between 2016-2018.