Will the Keukenhof buds be "darling" in May? Or a tad long in the tooth?
 

I'm planning to hit the Keukenhof around May 5 or so. Is that still a good time to take in its floral beauty? I have a feeling it is, but no harm in asking. I'd rather not be there if the flowers are past their prime and serving as a metaphor for my own mortality.

wanderful,

it's open until may 20th, so I'm sure that there will be plenty to see on May 5th. probably no daffs, but late tulips, and possibly other lovely things to see too.

w will be there next week so I'll report back.

There will still be plenty to see.
Spring has been cool and remarkably normal so, barring a sudden unexpected heatwave (not likely ;) ), there will be plenty of tulips still in early May, plus quite a few other flowering bulbs.

Thanks to you both.

Looking forward to your report, annhig.

I believe the flower beds are renewed as needed to ensure there's always fresh plantings.

It's my first ever trip to The Netherlands and unfortunately I shall arrive on the 31st. Just found out that the Show closes on the 20th. I'm a bit confused as to what that means. Do they remove the flowers altogether? Or do they simply stop maintaining them? What will I get to see if I visit the show on the 1st?

Do they remove the flowers altogether? Or do they simply stop maintaining them? What will I get to see if I visit the show on the 1st?>>

you can't visit on the 1st of june as they actually close the gardens after 21st May. then they dig everything up [all the bulbs that is, not the shrubs and trees], dig it all over, and in the autumn, start all over again with fresh bulbs.

you could go to the Floriade of course - that is on all summer until mid October, at a motorway intersection near Venlo in eastern Holland. it is a huge flower/garden show held in the Netherlands every 10 years. we went 2 weeks ago, and though [like the curate's egg] it was good in parts, it was not outstanding. Perhaps by June 1st it will be - but no bulbs of course. [and the bulb/mixed flower displays were some of the best bits].

I was there last week and everything was in full bloom. Splendid!!!