I like my own yard full of daffodils in spring ... but if only I had the advance planning time & skills to create a bulb display that looks like this.
This, of course is the work of renowned Dutch landscape designer & author Piet Oudolf, who collaborated with his Dutch colleague Jacqueline van der Kloet to create this spectacular display at the New York Botanical Garden. The display in the Enid Haupt Conservatory runs through June 7th, and it commemmorates the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage from Amsterdam to New York in 1609.
The design for the show was inspired by the gardens at Keukenhof, near Amsterdam and features the usual tulips, hyacinths, lilies, daffodils, squill, snowflakes, and alliums. However, there is also a display of antique tulip cultivars donated by Holland's famous treasury of historic bulbs, Hortus Bulborum -- and these you won't see anywhere else.
Oudolf and van der Kloet also planted a four-season bulb installation on the garden's Seasonal Walk, which features spring and summer blooming bulbs accompanied by flowering perennials and ornamental grasses, many of which were introduced by Oudolf.
(photos courtesy NYBG)
This is a beautiful display. Locally we have our own fantastic bulb show at the Lyman Plant House at Smith College in Northampton. One of the treats of early spring in our area.
Posted by: commonweeder | May 14, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Wow what a fantastic garden. Thanks for the pictures it is helping me be creative with my garden
Posted by: Mr. Carriage Clocks | May 13, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Hyacinths are my new favorite fragrant flower. They're very hardy (good for us in the PacNW) and their aroma is as powerful as jasmines - they fill the yard with perfume. I'm getting more for next spring's blooms.
Posted by: Donald | May 09, 2009 at 12:45 AM