Spring Planting Inspiration Fresh from Amsterdam

There’s no better place to welcome spring than the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. Fresh from our recent trip, we came back bursting with ideas and inspiration for our own garden - and we just had to share it with you.

Keukenhof is a floral wonderland, where over 7 million bulbs bloom across 32 hectares of artfully curated landscapes. But what truly captivated us was the bold, unexpected combinations of bulbs - a masterclass in colour theory, texture, and seasonal rhythm.

🌷 Colour That Dares

Forget soft pastels - Keukenhof embraces spring with vibrant, unapologetic colour. Think deep magentas clashing beautifully with fiery oranges, royal purples mingling with sunshine yellows, and even soft whites acting as the perfect balance in riotous palettes.

One of our favourite beds layered bright red tulips with deep indigo hyacinths, all underscored by a frothy base of lime-green euphorbia. It sounds wild, but it was completely captivating - proof that contrast can be incredibly elegant.

🌼 Layered Bulb Planting

The Dutch are experts in what they call the “lasagne method” - planting bulbs in layers so that different varieties bloom in succession. Keukenhof shows this technique off to perfection. We saw beds where early crocuses faded just as mid-season daffodils peaked, and late tulips were just starting to bud.

We loved the idea of planning for a seasonal story - from March through May - by stacking bulbs like tulips, narcissi, alliums, and muscari. The effect? Ever-changing beauty that keeps your garden feeling fresh.

🌸 Unexpected Pairings

What surprised us most were the mixes of formal and naturalistic styles. Sculptural tulips were softened by wispy grasses or undersown with low-growing anemones. Fritillary danced in the breeze. Miniature daffodils flanked a sea of Muscari under trees bursting into leaf.

📸 Inspiration in Every Corner

We took so many photos to capture all the combinations we want to try at home. The key takeaway? Be bold. Be playful. Let colour and texture lead.

Have you been to Keukenhof or tried any bold bulb combinations in your garden? We'd love to hear in the comments.