Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

34  INTRODUCING THE NE THERLANDS

The Netherlands in Bloom

The Dutch love affair with flowers began rather
unromantically in homes during the 17th century, when
flowers were used to keep bad smells at bay. The
aesthetic aspect soon developed, and today the
Netherlands is one of the world’s most important flower-
growing countries. It has an unrivalled distribution
system, keeping Holland ahead of competition from
countries such as Israel, Spain, Colombia, Kenya, Fields of flowers are not confined
Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Netherlands has a to the west of the country. These
92 per cent share of the world market for flowers. rose fields are outside Lottum in the
north of the southern province of
Limburg, where every year a special
Tulips were rose competition is held.
introduced to
Holland from Turkey
in the 17th century.
They became the
subject of an
unparalleled
speculative bubble
which has become
known as “tulip
mania”. Today the
tulip is considered
a quintessentially
Dutch product,
with innumerable
varieties.

The annual
flower
competition
(bloemen
corso) in the
bulb-growing
region is a
grand event
(see p36).

Cut Flowers From Dutch Nurseries
As consumers have become increasingly The chrysanthemum
(Chrysanthemum)
demanding, the number of flower species and originated in China.
varieties is constantly on the rise. Consumer
tastes vary from place to place: in France,
gladioli are very popular, whereas in Great
Britain, it is lilies and carnations. In Asia,
tulips are in great demand. A small
sample of the flowers grown The iris (Iris)
commercially in the Netherlands flower and bulb
is shown here.
are in demand.

034-035_EW_Netherlands.indd 34 16/01/17 12:02 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.3)
Date 18th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm