6th International Flower Exhibition
Spring in Groot-Bijgaarden
from 9 April until 7 May 2009
Visit the flower exhibition at the castle of Groot-Bijgaarden and enjoy an unforgettable flower experience.
The park, which is about 14 hectares, hosts nearly all spring bulb varieties.
The castle´s gardener team manually planted, under the direction of specialists from The Netherlands, more than 1½million bulbs.
During the four weeks in which the exhibition takes place flower lovers will have the opportunity to discover 500 varieties including 300 tulip varieties.
The tulips are divided into three categories: early flowering, midseason and late flowering but may also be labelled as classic triumph, botanic tulips, lily flowers, viridiflora, parrots and multi–flora.
Amongst the narcissuses and daffodils far more rare varieties can be discovered such as the papillon narcissus and the numerous botanical varieties.
A sea of muscari, wild tulips, violets, azaleas and rhododendrons spreads under the ancient trees...
For the second year, you will have the opportunity to walk in the flower labyrinth of Groot–Bijgaarden.
The creation of this floral exhibition was possible thanks to the participation off major Dutch bulb producers and exporters.
New this year
The virgin´s garden
Surrounded by white flowered amalanchiers we composed for you a garden exclusively White, composed with white tulips, white narcissuses, white hyacinths and other white flowers.
A prestigious indoor exhibition in the 600m² newly restored greenhouse.
Flower beds but mostly flower arrangements which will be changed each week. About 75 to 100 creations reflecting the trends and the fashion will be presented in a beautiful indoor garden.
Well known in Holland, the artist Hans Danko will realize the flower arrangments on Wednesday´s and Thurday´s. Week 15-16 Freesia´s (with Tulips, Iris, Seringa, Forsythia, Anemone and our famous Belgian Azalea´s). Week 16-17 Roses (with Gerbera, Amaryllis and Lisianthus). Week 17-18 Calla´s (with Alstromeria and Bouvardia and week 18-19 Lilies (with Chrysanthèmes and Santini´s).
The chapel and the dungeon will be open as well. In there one can admire floral compositions made of amaryllis, callas, tulips, freesias and orchids.
The garden next to the orchard is dedicated to the rhododendrons and the azaleas. They come from Exbury Gardens in the south west of England. These gardens were in the beginning of the 20th century and due to their creator Lionel de Rothschild without any doubt the first gardens in the world to exhibit rhododendrons.
Garden lovers who wish to visit the park several times may want to obtain a Passe-partout card which grants a right of entry during the whole exposition.
Concept
The park has been designed at the beginning of the 20th century by the garden architect Louis Fuchs, designer of numerous parks in Belgium.
The design and the realisation of Spring in Groot-Bijgaarden 2009 have been taken care of by Maarten and Pieter Bakker, descendants of a famous family of bulb producers in the Netherlands. For the creation of the flowerbeds they always try to find the most interesting varieties. Therefore they never cease to search the whole of the Netherlands in order to find the most beautiful species and the most talented producers. Afterwards they compose the different gardens while taking the diversity of the colours of the different varieties as well as their time of blooming into account.
The creation of this floral exhibition was possible thanks to the participation off major Dutch bulb producers and exporters.
A visit to the spring exhibition in Groot-Bijgaarden is sure to enchant all nature and flower lovers. Registration
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Entrance Fees
Adults : 10 €
Seniors (60 +),disabled persons, students : 8 €
Children (6-14 years) : 5 €
Children less than 6 years old : free
Groups > 20 persons : 8 €
Passe-Partout (Subscription) : 14 €
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Opening hours
Every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The ticket boots is open until 5 p.m.
follow the Brusselstraat to the Gemeenteplein. At the church turn right towards the castle.
