Flowers in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a bit of a paradox when it comes to nature. It is an incredibly green city, in that it is both eco-friendly and surrounded by nature. And while yes, there are canals everywhere, and trees line many of the larger streets, when I first arrived, I struggled with only seeing flowers growing in flower pots. I had to adjust to the idea of “urban nature.”

Amsterdam is a very organized city. There are very specific traffic rules for vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians. In the canals, as well, you can observe what almost seems to be a natural rhythm of the water that keeps the boats at a safe distance. Everything flows in Amsterdam. Everything has a place. So there are the streets. And then there are the parks. There are small ones spread across the city, green squares with benches and fountains. And there are larger ones beyond the Singelgracht, the canal ring that naturally defines the larger city center.

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

When I was recently living in Amsterdam, I did not have a bike to get around easily to the parks. Instead, I became a member of the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, the botanical gardens. Located near to where I was living, visiting “De Hortus,” as it is called in Dutch, became my favorite pastime, as well as a place where I could retreat, to find some peace and serenity.

The serene scenery at De Hortus

De Hortus features an impressive “Three Climate Greenhouse.” I used to love walking through and admiring the cacti in the desert habitat, and how they contrasted with the lush city scenery just beyond the greenhouse window. I also used to be so cold in the late Amsterdam summer that I would relish in walking into the jungle habitat, which was so humid and quite a relief from the chill outside.

Inside the “desert” at De Hortus

The grounds of De Hortus are quite impressive, but not overwhelmingly so. It is the perfect place to go and take your time. There is a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, though I’ve only ever had a coffee for take-away. I preferred to sit with a book by the river, watching the ducks swim and play. They also have a greenhouse featuring palm trees. I liked to sit in there as well, as the palm trees remind me of places I love, like Palermo and Jerusalem. That’s one thing about botanical gardens. They can take you to so many places just where you are.

The stunning Victoria cruziana in bloom

I felt very fortunate when living there to be able to pass by and see the Victoria cruziana, a species of water lily. The lily pads themselves are quite a sight, but even more special were the flowers. These flowers bloom just one at a time, and only for two nights. It was always a spectacle, and for a flower lover like me, an experience I hold dear.

You have to pass through the gift shop on the way out, but it’s a worthy detour. Browse through the beautiful books and plant-themed gifts. I really miss going there. De Hortus is one of Amsterdam’s treasures.

Amsterdam Tulip Museum

The Amsterdam Tulip Museum is located in the Jordaan neighborhood, which is just to the west of the city center. It is one of my favorite museums in Amsterdam. Admission to the museum is 5€, but you can stop into the gift shop for free. They have many souvenir and tulip-themed items, which are fun just to browse through. They also have bulbs for sale!

Some beautiful varietals at the Tulip Museum

The museum itself is located in the basement under the shop. For an aficionado like me, I spent about an hour inside. It is not a large museum, but I wanted to read all the information about the tulip, and how it made its way from growing wild in the Himalaya Mountains to being a favorite at the Ottoman court, and how it eventually caused “tulip mania” in the Netherlands. There are beautiful photos and displays with historical material that trace the Dutch fascination with the many varieties of the flower.

Bloemenmarkt

The Bloemenmarkt is the outdoor flower market of Amsterdam. The stalls are floating on the canal, and you can walk along the busy street and stop in. There are some brightly colored tulips to attract tourists’ attention, but much of the merchandise is bulbs. The market is located on the Singel, a canal that encircles the heart of the city center, which is different from the Singelgracht mentioned above. (I know, it can be confusing).

A fabulous display of florals at the Bloemenmarket

Amsterdam is a city of brick and water, and yet it carries an association with flowers, as does the rest of the country. While most flowers you see strolling along the streets are in planters on the doorsteps of private residences, that does not mean there are not treasures to be discovered. You just have to know where to look.

That they are hidden makes them all the more special.