Blue River of Grape Hyacinth: Muscari armeniacum in Keukenhof Park in Holland

Summary: Blue river of grape hyacinth dazzles as in spring as a mass planting of Muscari armeniacum in Keukenhof Park in Lisse, in northwestern Netherlands.

Blue River of grape hyacinth, Keukenhof Park: Col Ford and Natasha de Vere (col&tasha), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

Lisse, a town dating back to the 10th to 12th centuries in the province of South Holland (Zuid-Holland) in the northwestern Netherlands, is sited in the heart of the Dutch flower-growing region, Duin- en Bollenstreek (Dune and Bulb Region).

The region's temperate oceanic climate, influenced by its coastal location along the North Sea, and sandy soil promote bulb floriculture. The cultivation of bulbous plants for floristry has flourished as a major economic endeavor in the region since the early Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries).

Lying equidistantly from the Netherlands' two most important national governmental cities, Lisse is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Amsterdam, the country's capital city, and about 20 miles north of The Hague, the country's seat of government.

Northwestern Lisse is home to Keukenhof ("kitchen garden"), a floral park of 79 acres (32 hectares). Known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof reigned as the world's largest flower garden from 1949 until the opening of Dubai Miracle Garden, at 210+ acres (85 hectares), in Dubailand, United Arab Emirates, in 2013.

Keukenhof dates back to the 15th century when its abundant yields of fruits, herbs and vegetables were harvested for the kitchen at nearby 13th-century Kasteel Teylingen (Teylingen Castle), then the domain of Jacoba van Beieren, Countess of Hainault (Aug. 16, 1401-Oct. 8, 1436).

Since its first opening in 1949, under the initiative of W.J.H. Lambooy, then-mayor of Lisse, in collaboration with ten major bulb growers, as an open-air exhibition for spring's spectacular bulbous plants, Keukenhof Park has garnered worldwide admiration for the dazzling appearance and design of its spring flowers.

Especially popular is the blue river of grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) that winds as mass plantings through garden and woodland settings to contrast stunningly with other spring flowers, such as elegant tulps (Tulipa ssp), as well as with shrubs and trees.

Strikingly represented among Keukenhof Park's total plantings of over 7 million bulbs, grape hyacinth is resplendent in mass plantings. Its flowers open profusely in diminutive bell shapes reminiscent of upside-down clusters of grapes. The popular cobalt blueness of grape hyacinth flowers sustains gorgeous grandeur even in proximity to brilliant palettes proffered by showy tulips.

Fragrant Muscari armeniacum is native to the meadows and woods of Eurasia, from the Mediterranean region to the Caucasus Mountains.

Its winter-hardy bulbs have facilitated its extensive naturalization outside of its native homelands.

The blue river of grape hyacinth at Keukenhof Park may be replicated on both small and large scales in home gardens. Experimentation with Muscari armeniacum's other available floral colors, such as pink, purple or white, offers enticing possibilities for personalizing garden landscapes.

With or without inspiration from Keukenhof, grape hyacinth easily prettifies garden and home spaces.

If you plan to visit Keukenhof Park:
opening dates 2015: March 20th to May 17th
opening dates 2016: March 24 to May 16; hours: 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Contact information:
website: http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/plan-your-visit/practical-information/
email: info@keukenhof.nl
reception desk telephone: +31(0)252-465555

Blue River of Grape Hyacinths amidst Tulips at Keukenhof Park in Lisse, South Holland, in the Netherlands: Luu, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Blue River of grape hyacinth, Keukenhof Park: Col Ford and Natasha de Vere (col&tasha), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/col_and_tasha/5639441309/

Blue River of Grape Hyacinths amidst Tulips at Keukenhof Park in Lisse, South Holland, in the Netherlands: Luu, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keukenhof_340.JPG

For further information:

Marriner, Derdriu. "Grape Hyacinth: Pretty Blue or Purple Palette of Muscari armeniacum." Earth and Space News. Monday, Feb. 9, 2015.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/02/muscari-armeniacum-miniature-blue-or.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Muscari armeniacum: Miniature Blue or Purple Beauty of Grape Hyacinth." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, April 8, 2015.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/04/muscari-armeniacum-miniature-blue-or.html