Keukenhof

GARDEN 2.0, the garden trend for 2013

Time does not stand still in the garden, trends also find their way here. The size of the garden is not so much important. It is much more about what is growing and flourishing, the decoration and maintenance. Increasingly, the garden is part of the daily life and that requires a different interpretation. It is time for an upgrade: GARDEN 2.0.

The Veggie garden is hip

International media have a great influence on our way of gardening. In gardening programs on TV beautiful gardens are being created within a few days, we are introduced to new varieties of flowers and plants and we get gardening tips from other countries. TV chefs do not only make a dish, but we see them standing in the field of the breeder. The origin of ingredients has become just as important as cooking itself. Inspired by these programs people create spots in their own garden for a small veggie garden in a raised border, a row of flowerpots or a stackable planter. It's fun to see how all these species grow and then serve them unsprayed and daily fresh on the table. The veggie garden makes gardening hip again; after all onions produce beautiful flowers too. The bulb has been rediscovered and brings a colorful accent in early spring.

Indoor room and outdoor room

In new residential area’s, gardens are not so big and they often serve more as outdoor rooms than as gardens. They are private and cozy, have clear borders and are easy to maintain. The solid green is complemented with ready-to-go seasonal products. In spring pots of tulips, daffodils and blue grapes are used to bring color in to the garden. Growers pick up on this trend by offering a wider range of products. With these color accents on pot, the in- and outside even more interconnected. We put the same pots with hyacinths both in- and outside on the table. Garden furniture increasingly resemble indoor furniture and is also just as comfortable. The atmosphere and style run smoothly into each other so gardens become more and more personal.

Green in the city

City people are tired of the drab streets. So called guerrilla gardeners undertake quick actions, globally, to make cities greener. Pieces of fallow ground where new offices were planned, are temporarily being transformed into urban (veggie) gardens using simple means. The roofs of houses and flats are becoming more green, restaurants growing lettuce on their own roof. Fruit, vegetables and flowers from the garden are being exchanged or sold at local organized markets. Dull walls are lined with green. The neighborhood helps schoolchildren to build their own school garden. Gardens on roofs of large companies and hospitals contribute to a better environment. Staff and visitors can have lunch there, or simply relax. The materials used are contemporary, often casual, recycled and rethought. Through social media we share our activities and experiences rapidly with each other.

Anyone can garden

We let others enjoy our garden, either live or through the internet, by writing a garden blog or participate in an open garden tour. The first small garden campsites have been identified. A green sequel to couch surfing, a nice place to sleep in the garden. Thanks to the Internet, anyone can now create a cheerful flower garden, without having specific understanding of gardening. You receive a daily plant tip in your inbox. You google "Black Tulip" and not much later the order is in. Useful apps help us recognize flowers and plants and assists us in designing a square meter garden. Suppliers anticipate on this by offering ready-made mixtures of herbs, vegetables, perennials and bulbs.

Keukenhof has decorated seven amazing inspirational gardens. In these contemporary gardens, with the size of an average backyard, beautiful Dutch bulbs go together with the garden trend GARDEN 2.0. This trend has been developed in various styles, shows global trends and inspires visitors to get started in their own garden.