Sixty years' jubilee Keukenhof offers high quality varieties

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26-03-2009 | For 60 years now Keukenhof has been the spring park of the world. On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, on March 18 Queen Beatrix herself opened the 32 hectare park. The past years the park attracted as much as 850,000 visitors.

History
The current park was a section of the sizeable estate of Slot Teylingen, with beautiful untamed bushes and dunes. Herbs for the kitchen of the castle of Jacoba van Beieren were collected here; hence the name Keukenhof.

In 1840 garden architects J.D. and L.P. Zocher renovated the park.On the initiative of the mayor of Lisse at that time and a number of leading flower bulb growers and exporters, the first open air flower exhibition was organised here in 1949.

From way back Keukenhof has a special bond with the Dutch royal family. Queen Juliana was patroness and Prince Bernhard made numerous photos and films in the park.

In beautiful laid out fields more than 7 million crocus, narcissus, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lilies and other flower bulbs are to be seen. There are various pavilions:
• Oranje Nassau Pavilion
• Willem Alexander Pavilion
• Beatrix Pavilion
• Juliana Pavilion
• Wilhelmina Pavilion

Dutch Permanent Judging Committee (VKC)
In the Beatrix Pavilion unique shows of Orchid and Anthurium can be seen. Like in previous years the Dutch Permanent Judging Committee (called VKC) also tests this year’s offer of products from growers and breeders. During the tests the various characteristics of the flower and/or plant are examined. Per product group different characteristics are tested.

Anthurium andreanum
• Colourfastness (uniformity) 
• Spadix (length, ripeness, position, colour) 
• Bract (form, position, size) 

Phalaenopsis (cut flower)
• Form of the flower
• Colour of the flower 
• Stem strength and position flower on stem and the stem length 
• Number of flowers
• Size/strength/thickness of the flower

Phalaenopsis (pot plant)
• Flower quality (colour, form, thickness, number related to size, bud abortion)
• Plant quality (form, colour and position of the leaf)
• Stem quality (length, strength, branching and position of the flower)
• Damage

On March 24 the first test/examination of the Anthurium show took place.

First nomination for Anthurium pot plant (small flowers): White Champion®
White Champion of Gebr. C.P. en C.J. Stolk BV from Bergschenhoek won the first nomination Anthurium pot plant small flowers. With a high mark, a 9.40, White Champion scored very high.

The new promising variety Cherry Champion® scored also high; a 9.40, second best.

Cherry Champion has cherry coloured flowers. It is a plant which is not only very eye-catching, but is also fresh and bright coloured. Striking to this plant is that also the flower stems are coloured. In addition Cherry Champion is known for her long shelf life.

Also the varieties Otazu®, Vito®, Vivaro®, Amis®, Special Champion and Pink Champion® had been awarded with a beautiful score of 9 or higher by the VKC jury. In short, this year the flower and plant show in the Beatrix Pavilion offers a high quality of Anthura varieties.

Have you become curious about the flower shows in the Beatrix Pavilion?
You can visit Keukenhof until Mai 21st!

Opening hours
March 19 up to and including May 21, 2009
Daily from 08:00 – 19:30 hours. (Ticket office closes at 18:00 hours). 

Special mini Keukenhof at Schiphol
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary Keukenhof has planned a mini Keukenhof at Schiphol Plaza. Mini Keukenhof can be admired up to and including April 13, 2009.