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Blossoms and blooms:
Holland is famous for its flowers and particularly
for its bulb flowers. Which are the best months to see the
millions of colorful tulips, daffodils and hyacinths? Where
can you see the blossoms on the many fruit trees? Following
are the approximate times when and the places where to enjoy
Holland's colorful flower splendor at its best.
BULB
FIELDS
From the end of March until the first week of May the flowers
in the bulb fields bloom. It goes without saying that the
exact periods depend on the weather. The very best time is
the second half of April. At the end of March the crocus season
starts. The daffodils and early and small tulips are next,
from the beginning of April. Mid April the daffodils and the
hyacinths bloom. Finally, from mid April until the first week
in May the tulips show off their glorious colors.
The best-known bulb fields are located behind the North Sea
dunes, between the cities of Leiden and Den Helder. Other
bulb fields, just as lovely, are situated near Enkhuizen (Bovenkarspel,
Andijk) and in the province of Flevoland (Noordoost Polder,
Oostelijk Flevoland). Walking, cycling and car routes are
available from the local tourist information offices in the
bulb field regions.
FRUIT TREES
Most fruit trees blossom between mid-April and mid-May. The
fruit trees in the southern part of the province of Limburg
usually bloom approximately one week earlier.
The best-known blossom regions are:
the Betuwe (Gelders Rivierengebied), Zuid-Beveland (routes
start from the local tourist information offices in Goes and
Yerseke) and South-Limburg (Eijsen, St. Geertruid, Gronsveld).
Special blossom routes, for hikers, bikers and cars, are available
from the local tourist information offices in these areas.
Folklore CARTWHEEL
A cartwheels, or something shaped like a cartwheel is a popular
garden decoration. The wheel is usually incorporated in the
garden gate. A cartwheel makes for an ideal division in a
herb garden. Different herbs may be planted between the various
spokes. This prevents one particular herb from being dominant.
In addition to being decorative and functional, a wheel in
the garden also has nostalgic significance. It stands for
the ‘course of the sun’, the so-called sun wheel.
Since time immemorial the wheel has represented the course
of the sun. This concrete representation enabled people to
dedicate rituals to the course of the sun. The Teutons, for
instance, used to set fire to a wheel, among a lot of cheering,
around the shortest day of the year. They believed that the
sun wheel (the course of the sun) had come to a standstill
in the darkest period of the year. By setting fire to a wheel
they imitated the course of the sun. This was to strengthen
the sun once it had reached the zenith of its course.
It is also said that this ritual was used to purify the new
seeds in the soil from evil influences. The light and the
warmth of the burning wheel purified the seeds.
GARDEN
GNOMES
Tradition has it that gnomes carry out menial tasks for humans
during the night. Numerous tales tell us all about these gnomes.
Garden gnomes developed from an illustration of these helpful
little creatures and grace many a Dutch garden.
MERMAIDS
AND MERMEN
Mermaids and mermen have always fascinated people. Seated
on a rock, they would lure sailors with their haunting songs.
The sailors were so enchanted that they ran off course and
ran their boats into the rocks.
This is why sailor’s wives are said to have had images
of a mermaid or a merman in their house. When their husbands
were out at sea, offerings would be made to the mermaids and
mermen every night and every morning. Thus the sailor’s
wives hoped to guarantee their husbands’ safe return.
The Dutch no longer believe in the existence of these sirens.
Even so, mermaid and merman statues grace quite a few garden
ponds. Obviously, they still appeal to the imagination...!
KNOCK WOOD
‘Knock
wood’ is a well-known expression. You have to knock on
unpainted wood. Why is this? It is probably a centuries-old
custom. In the old days people were convinced that various
ailments and evil influences could be transferred to trees.
These days wood has taken the place of the trees.
SIGNS
It is a common belief that a cross-drawn on the exterior wall
of a house keeps evil spirits at a distance, including the
devil. A cross also protects from lightning striking. This
also goes for other signs painted on walls.
BESOM
Did you know that people used to lean a besom against the
wall while they were out? The besom was thought to have the
power to repel evil spirits. Maybe a useful tip to deflect
the burglars of today?
DECORATIONS
IN AND AROUND THE HOUSE
Many old farms and country estates boast cast-iron ornaments
over the doors. The tree of life is a popular motif. It is
also seen on the peaks of farms in the eastern part of Holland.
The tree of life motif developed in the 16th century. It protected
the farmer’s family and the harvest from disaster. Other
popular motifs include diamond and oval shapes and horses
and unicorns.
In the old days cast-iron ornaments were used because it was
not possible yet to make windows from a single large piece
of glass. Not until the middle of the 19th century did people
succeed in doing this. From this period onwards the cast-iron
ornaments were placed in front of the glass.
HORSE’S
HEAD
A horse’s head over the stable door ensured that a nightmare
could not come to unsettle the horses. Illustrations of horses,
horse’s heads and horseshoes still decorate many a stable
or shed door.
PLANTS AND SUPERSTITION
Broom
It is no coincidence that broom is usually planted near a
front door or garden gate. After all, the broom stands for
loyalty and friendship and protects people against evil spirits.
An old custom, still popular today, is to hang a branch of
broom over the doorpost to ward off evil.
Dried
herbs
A bunch of dried herbs at the entrance to a garden or a house
is said to repel evil spirits...
Four-leave
clover
All over the world people believe that a four-leave clover
brings fortune or, rather, that it wards off misfortune. In
the old days people also believed that if you had a four-leave
clover nobody could cheat on you. A four-leave clover growing
in your garden will ward off swindlers.
Dandelion
According to tradition a girl can see what the future brings
with the help of a dandelion. She must blow away the dandelion
fluff. The number of bits of fluff remaining equals the number
of children she will have. Has she blown away all of the fluff
in one go? Not to worry; this just means she will get married
soon.
Roses
We can safely say that the history of the rose is as old as
the history of the world. Extensive fields of roses grew in
ancient China. The imperial library boasted more than 500
books on the growing of roses. The Roman emperor Nero ordered
vast amounts of roses for his banquets so that he could shower
his numerous guests with rose petals.
Red roses stand, of course, for love. Many, many years ago
young men would pick wild roses to show their beloved they
loved them. These days, many Dutch couples live together before
they marry. In some areas of the country it is customary for
the man to plant a rose bush in their garden. He proposes
to his girlfriend when the first rose blooms. Utterly romantic,
don’t you think?
Bindweed
or ‘Our Lady’s glass’
Once upon a time a winegrower’s heavily laden cart became
stuck in the mud. Fortunately, Our Lady happened to pass by.
She saw the poor man struggle and made him an offer he couldn't
refuse. "Pour me a glass of wine and your cart will come
unstuck straight away." The winegrower answered: "Oh,
My Lady, I would be happy to, but alas I do not have a glass!"
Our Lady picked a flower from the bindweed plant and had him
pour some wine into this. As soon as the wine touched her
lips, the winegrower’s cart became unstuck and he could
continue on his way. Since that day bindweed is called ‘Our
Lady’s glass’ in some areas in Holland.
Poppy and henbane
People used to believe that witches prepared an ointment from
poppies and henbane. This concoction gave them the magical
powers to fly their brooms. |
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