Gardens 2018-2019

GARDENS 2018-2019

BRUSSELS ANNUAL CARPET THE ROYAL GREENHOUSES (SERRES)

Flower Carpet ( there is every two years a Brussels carpet with flowers) – Grand Place 21 April 2018 – 11 May 2018 16 August 2018 – 18 August 2018 It is well recommended to visit the Royal Serres in early Every 2 years the Grand Place in Brussels gets covered spring, usually in the second half of April and early with a flower carpet. May, as only then they are open to the general public. It is a tradition that has been maintained since 1965. 2018 will be a special edition, as it is the 20th Flower The architect Alphonse Balat designed the complex of Carpet! It will be an ephemeral show on the world’s greenhouses for King Leopold II. The tropical garden most beautiful central square. The Flower Carpet is 75 is surmounted by a dome. The largest greenhouse is m long by 24 m wide. 1,800 m2 of begonias, around called the winter garden. For some occasions it is used 300 cut flowers per m2! A hundred volunteers assemble as a reception space for dignitaries. the carpet in 4 hours. PRICE The first Flower Carpet of Brussels was created in 1971 2.50 EUR per person. Free of charge for under 18s. and has been a showstopper every two years on the The entry price goes entirely to the Queen’s Grand-Place since 1986. Charities (Hulpfonds van de Koningin / Oeuvres de la Reine), to restoration work and to the purchase of art Entrance is completely free, you can also get a works for the Royal Collection. panoramic view against payment. PUBLIC TRANSPORT The next flower carpet will be from 16 till 19 of August tram: 3, 7 and 19, De Wand tram stop bus: 53 (STIB/ 2018. MIVB), 230, 231, 232 (De Lijn), Koninklijke Serres / Serres Royales bus stop Mounting of the flowers starts 13 August 2018 Inauguration on 16 August 2018 www.monarchie.be www.flowercarpet.brussels

2 THE NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN FLORALIA BRUSSELS

National Botanic Garden of Belgium – Groot-Bijgaarden Domein van Boechout 6 April 2018 – 6 May 2018

The National Botanic Garden is one of the largest The spring flower exhibition in the park and the green- botanical gardens in the world. It grows a treasure rove houses at the castle of Groot-Bijgaarden will celebrate of plants from all over the world. Both in the pen air its 15th anniversary, join us and enjoy an unforgettable and in several majestic greenhouses you can discover flower experience. about 18,000 species. Enjoy the anemones in spring or the rich colors of autumn. Every day there’s a new The park of 14 hectares incorporates nearly all spring species flowering or setting fruit, from orchids to oaks. bulb varieties. Under the direction of specialists from The Netherlands, the castles’ gardeners have planted by You are welcome to enjoy sandwiches, drinks and hand more than 1 million bulbs. During the four weeks ice-cream in the Orangerie. The Botanic Garden is in which the exhibition takes place flower lovers will also home to research centres and curators of the have the opportunity to discover 500 varieties inclu- plant world. In the gardens, laboratories, herbaria ding 400 tulip varieties. and greenhouses plants are constantly being studied, classified and cultivated. The tulips are divided into three categories: early flowering, midseason and late flowering. The categories are In 2019, a brand new state-of-the-art visitor center will further divided into classic triumph tulips, botanical be opened, offering all necessary facilities. Next to the (kaufmanniana, greigii, fosteriana), lily flowers, viridi- visitor center, a newly created welcome garden will be flora, parrots and multi–flora.Amongst the narcissi and the tastemaker for everything there is to discover in daffodils, very rare varieties can be discovered such as the Botanic garden. the papillon narcissus and numerous botanical varieties. A sea of muscari, wild tulips, violets, azaleas and Meise is located approximately 12km/7.5m from the rhododendrons spreads out under the ancient trees. Brussels city centre. INDOOR EXHIBITION Open daily from 9:30. Closing hours vary depending on the season. A prestigious indoor exhibition in the 1000m2 newly restored greenhouse. http://www.plantentuinmeise.be/PUBLIC/GENERAL/ admissionprices.php The flower beds and mostly the flower arrangements will be changed each week. About 150 creations reflec- ting the trends and current fashions will be presented in a beautiful indoor garden. Well known in Holland, the artist Hans Danko will produce the flower arrangements with no less than 10.000 flowers each Friday.

The donjon, dated from the 14th century, will be accessible to its roof terrace from where you can see the Atomium and the city of Brussels. Each floor will be decorated in different themes.

The park is located 10 km from the historic centre of Brussels, and daily open from 10 am to 06 pm.

Adults: 14 EUR per person Groups & senior: 12 EUR per person Children (6-14 year): 5 EUR per person

www.floralia-brussels.be

3 SONIAN FOREST GAASBEEK CASTLE / PARK AND MUSEUM GARDEN The Sonian Forest—that’s 4,400 hectares (10,920 acres) of top European nature, the destination of several million visitors each year. It is also a vast and enchanting 15 May - 31 October 2018 forest on the edge of Brussels. PARK

The Forest Museum organises nature workshops which Gaasbeek Castle lies at the heart of an extensive park allow children and adults to become familiar with na- (49 hectare) that was laid out in the seventeenth centu- ture in a creative manner. ry already. It has both impressive avenues and narrow winding paths. It probably has the tallest beech trees in MORE INFORMATION: Belgium! [email protected] As you walk you will come across several historical buildings that are connected to the Castle: the Chapel of St Gertrude with the altarpiece by Gerard Seghers, the baroque pavilion with its unique stucco ceiling, the neo-Gothic barn, the octagonal pavilion or gunpow- der magazine, the classicistic triumphal arc that was constructed in honour of Napoleon. The domain also ROSE GARDEN OF COLOMA CASTLE has three lakes.

Sint- Pieters- Leeuw The former porter’s house is reconverted in a brasserie. 15 May - 30 September 2018 PRACTICAL INFORMATION The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Located 10 km from Brussels and 15km from the Castle (from 1 November to 31 March until 5 p.m.) of Groot Bijgaarden you can find the International- ly renowned rose gardens with approximately 3,000 varieties of roses and 30,000 rose bushes. On average, MUSEUM GARDEN there are 200,000 roses in bloom at any given time. The four themed gardens together constitute a beautifully The Museum Garden offers an impressive overview landscaped area set inside unique castle grounds (16th of traditional and often very rare fruit and vegetable century). species, linked to various ingenious pruning shapes, the so-called espaliered fruit. The garden also includes OPENING HOURS: the early baroque walled French garden with its double Open from 15 May to 30 September from 10 a.m. to 8 staircase and panoramic view of the castle. p.m. and in October from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Monday - free entrance Tickets available in Gaasbeek Castle: 5€

RESERVATION FOR GUIDED TOURS: www.museumtuingaasbeek.be 02 371 22 62 or [email protected] www.natuurenbos.be www.rosesatcoloma.be

4 HALLERBOS

Halle Mid April - Beginning of May

Hallerbos – ‘The Blue Forest’ – is the most important an most extensive forest area between Zenne and Zoniën. The forest is a public’s favorite thanks to the beautiful purple carpet of bluebells, which bloom around mid-April. The giant Sequoia trees and rolling hills also make a visit to this forest more than worth it.

VISITORS INFO: The best way to explore the Hallerbos is with the free walking map. There are also three marked hikin loops (yellow, blue and white/black) in the forest. You can learn more about the forest on one of the many free open walks with a nature guide. A group can request a guided visit with a nature guide. http://www.hallerbos.be/en/visitors-info/

5 RECOMMENDED A COMBINATION OF:

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• Botanical garden of Meise (always open) • Serres of Laeken (!! when open – only 3 weeks a year in spring) • Floralia – Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden (6/4 - 6/5/2018) • Rose Garden of Coloma (spring + summer) • Hallerbos, when the blue bells are blooming (mid April – beginning of May) • Museum Garden and park of the Castle of Gaasbeek (spring + summer)

ALSO INTERESTING Brussels: https://visit.brussels/en/article/minimap-flora-walks the ‘green belt’ surrounding Brussels: https://www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/en/catalogus/ parken-tuinen-en-bossen/

6 NEAR LEUVEN

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HERB GARDEN AND TROPICAL GREENHOUSE OF LEUVEN

Open Daily

The garden is open daily and entrance is free. Open from October till April from 09:00 till 17:00, Open from May till September from 09:00 till 20:00.

The Herb Garden of Leuven dates back to 1738 and is therefore the oldest in Belgium. Just as the gardens of Antwerp and Ghent, this garden was originally used for growing medicinal plants. For a large part this is still the case today and the garden is widely considered of great scientific importance. Besides the 2.2 ha of medicinal herbs, plants and trees, there is a greenhouse with 450 m2 of tropical and subtropical plants.

Guided visits are free and can be requested for groups of up to 30 people. It’s possible to have a guided tour around a specific subject. [email protected] tel: +32 16 27 23 80

7 NEAR GHENT

FRENCH, ENGLISH, JAPANESE THE GHENT UNIVERSITY BOTANICAL GARDEN GARDEN

Adegem Open Daily April to September The collections serve scientific and educational purposes. These three gardens are part of the Canada Museum, which commemorates the Second World War in The greenhouses are a safe haven for tropical and Flanders. You will find a romantic French garden with subtropical plant groups. There are three large public thousands of roses, an English landscape garden with greenhouses, which are open to the public and more ponds and waterfalls and a Japanese garden that than 20 smaller ones which are dedicated to speciali- symbolizes human life from birth to death and beyond. zed collections. The latter are unfortunately not open to the public. There is also a herb and seed collection. Daily open from 1pm till 6pm, except on Monday and The garden as well as the Victoria greenhouse and the Tuesday. tropical and subtropical greenhouse are open daily. Admission is free. GUIDED VISITS ONLY. Admission is 7 EUR, but the guide is free. Trained guides will show you the most captivating plants in the garden and in the greenhouses. The www.canadamuseum.be children’s’ tour includes a tasting session of fruits and other plant products. A guided tour of about 2 hours is available in English and costs 25 EUR. Groups are limited to 25 persons per guide. With combi ticket of 38 EUR you can also visit the Museum of Zoology.

MORE INFORMATION For reservations, please contact Ferdinand Cobbaut via e-mail: [email protected]

https://www.ugent.be/we/en/services/garden

8 FLORALIES GHENT (2020) FLORALIES CYCLING TOURS

City centre Surroundings of Ghent 2020 Dates tbc The Floralies theme tours run along five loops that are Floralies is an exhibition of plants and flowers in Ghent interconnected. that takes place once every four years. In 2016 Floralies celebrated their 35th birthday in the centre of the city. * THE BEGONIA ROUTE (32 km) starts at the Castle of The next edition is foreseen in 2020. Laarne.

MORE INFORMATION * THE ROSARY ROUTE (34 km) starts at Parking Aard in 0032 (0)3 924 15 090 Wetteren. The tour takes you past the Provincial [email protected] Domain Den Blakken. www.floralien.be/eng * THE AZALEA ROUTE (40 km) starts in the heart of flowers municipality Lochristi. The tour takes you past farms , the Research Centre for Ornamental Plants in Destelbergen and impressive azalea and begonia fields.

* THE TREES ROUTE (51 km) starts at the Informati- onpoint Munte and takes you past many farms and florists with home sales.

* THE RHODODENDRON ROUTE (53 km) starts as tour in Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck Wachtebeke.

ORDER THE ROUTE BROCHURE ON THIS WEBSITE: http://www.tov.be/nl/pagina/fietsroutes-blov

9 NEAR ANTWERP

ARBORETUM GRENSPARK DE ZOOM

Kalmthout Only excursions on demand

Arboretum Kalmthout is open every day from 10am to And while you are in the town of Kalmthout, why not 5pm from January 6th until December 21st 2018. pay a visit to Grenspark De Zoom (known locally as the Kalmthoutse Heide). This cross-border nature reserve Arboretum Kalmthout is a unique site with amazing has many pools, bright purple heath land, inland dunes flowering borders, a colourful rose garden and and vast forests. a butterfly garden full of life. In spring there are flowering magnolias and cherries, while in autumn the The whole area measures 3,750 ha (9,375 acres) and is maples are ablaze with colour. Enjoy a magnificent home to some real ecological treasures. nature walk and admire over 7,000 different varieties of Moreover, the entire park constitutes a landscape of plants from all over the world. great cultural-historical value. The area is cut into two by the Belgian-Dutch border. Kalmthout is a small town in the Province of Antwerp, approximately 30km/19m from the Antwerp city centre. This diversity makes the park well worth a visit.

ADMISSION The park is easy to reach with public transport, trains Adults 7 EUR, children (under 12) free, seniors 6 EUR, coming from Antwerp Central Station twice every hour students 5 EUR, tour guide 50 EUR (except for weekends). There is ample parking space for coaches. GUIDED TOURS A guided tour lasts two hours, and you can choose the CONTACT INFORMATION start time. There is no set minimum for the number of Dienst Toerisme Kalmthout Putsesteenweg 131 people. The group rate of €6 per person will apply to 2920 Kalmthout groups of 15 or more. A guide for a group of up to 25 0032 (0)3 666 61 01 costs 50 EUR. [email protected] http://www.grensparkzk.be/ BOOK YOUR GUIDED TOUR ONLINE : https://www.arboretumkalmthout.be/en/visit/opening- hours-admission-prices.html

CONTACT INFORMATION Arboretum Kalmthout Heuvel 2 2920 Kalmthout 0032 (0)3 666 67 41 [email protected] www.arboretumkalmthout.be/en

10 VRIJBROEK PARK ROSE GARDENS THE HERB GARDEN AND TROPICAL GREENHOUSE OF ANTWERP Mechelen Antwerp The most spectacular part of the Vrijbroek Park, situated just outside Mechelen, is its magnificent rose The garden is open daily from 8am till 8pm in Summer garden. In 2003, the garden was given the prestigious season and from 8am till 5.30pm in Winter season. The Award of Garden Excellence by the World Federation of greenhouse is only open on weekends: Sat from 1pm till Rose Societies. Three pavilions house over a thousand 5pm and Sun from 10am till 1pm. different roses. Right in the city centre, there’s a green oasis, often The Vrijbroekpark is located approximately 3.5km/2m referred to by locals as ‘Den Botanique’. This unique from the city centre, just of the E19 Motorway, and botanical garden used to be a medicinal garden for the open every day from sunrise till sunset. St. Elisabeth Hospital, which is right next door. Since 1926 the garden is managed by the city of Antwerp. CONTACT INFORMATION Several of the thousands of herbs that can be admired Vrijbroekpark here, are officially protected species. The greenhouse Mrs. Kristel Ketels contains a large collection of tropical and subtropical Hombeeksesteenweg 264 plants. 2800 Mechelen 0032 (0)1 545 13 80 The entrance to the garden is free, but guided visits are possible upon request. Groups must consist of at least [email protected] 10 with a maximum of 20 people. www.vrijbroekpark.be CONTACT INFORMATION Botanical Garden of Antwerp Leopoldstraat 24 2000 Antwerp 0032 (0)3 232 40 87

11 NEAR LIMBURG

JAPANESE GARDEN THE NATURE & CULTURE PARK

Hasselt Hasselt

Open from Tue to Sun from 10am to 5pm. Closed on The main purpose of the park is the idea of bio- Monday and during winter season (November – March). diversity and the riches of box-wood (with more than With its 2.5 ha, this is the largest Japanese Garden 100 different varieties), partly presented in in Europe. The garden was laid out in 1992, with the baskets, all identified with their original latin help of the Japanese city of Itami after the model of names. In the middle of the park, stands a huge wicker an original 17th century tea garden. The main garden basket open to the public and (at 15m2 is currently contains a ceremonial house, a tea house, several water being sized up for the Guinness World record title as features and exceptional plants. There is also a park the largest basket in the world) offers a splendid view with 250 Japanese cherry trees. of the park. The Hasselt Japanese Garden is an ideal place to walk From this very centre, several paths lead you into 25 around, while enjoying the views and listening to the ‘leaf-shaped’ open-air rooms and each of these offers softly flowing water. The garden is located between the a surprise, showing a range of box wood figures and city centre and the main ring, yet breathes a delightful objects, such as Tom Thumb, playing children, cats, calm. It is the ideal place for contemplation and dogs, horses, dancing bears (on turning balls) even a meditation. Also not to be missed: a tea demonstration bride & groom dancing as well as a pond, completely or a Japanese flower arrangement class in this unique made of recycled coloured glass. Special trimmed garden. sculptures, artificial objects made in wicker, rattan, box-wood, wire-netting, glass mosaic or bronze can be MORE INFORMATION seen on the various pathways that trail the park. There is even easy access for wheel-chair users. Several group arrangements are possible. Adults 4.5 EUR, groups (10 people) 4 EUR pp, schools 2 http://visithasselt.be/en/hasselt-japanese-garden- EUR pp group-programmes 0032 (0)1 176 66 61 Adults 5 EUR, seniors/ groups of 15 people 4 EUR [email protected] 0032 (0)1 123 52 00 http://www.parknatuurcultuur.be/ http://visithasselt.be/en/japanese-garden-1

12 THE HEX GARDENS FLEURAMOUR

Heers 21 – 24 September 2018

The Castle of Hex was built in the 18th century on a The captivating beauty of flowers in a historic setting, beautiful natural site. It was then surrounded by 12.5 that is Fleuramour. Thousands of flowers are processed acres of formal gardens set in a 150 acre English style in floral arrangements of an exceptional quality. Floral park. The gardens, park and woodlands have always arrangement enthusiasts and master flower binders been immaculately maintained. from all corners of the world come together here and turn this flower arrangement event into a unique A collection of old and botanical roses, the oldest happening. of which date from the original garden lay-out, is of particular interest. This collection is the fruit of the TICKETS never-ending efforts and joy of Countess Michel d’Ursel, Early Birds 17 EUR, presale 18 EUR, entrance 20 EUR, who built up an exceptional collection in the unique children ( 14year) free, groups (15 people) 19 EUR surroundings of her gardens. The vegetable garden, Groups ( more than 25 people) or guide, contact Indra where a wide variety of fruit and vegetables are still Corten [email protected] grown, includes a vegetable storage cellar, which is still 0032 (0)1 428 60 80 operated using traditional methods. There is also a French and a Chinese as well as a Renaissance inspired http://en.fleuramour.be/ garden, called the Prince’s Garden. Guided visits can be arranged on working days from 10:00 till 12:00 and from 14:00 till 17:00. The entrance fee is 7,5 EUR, with a minimum of 20 persons per group. Groups of more than 35 persons will be split up into two groups. The gardens are also open to the public twice a year, ALDEN BIESEN CASTLE in June and September, for the Flower and Plant show, formerly the ‘Festival of Rare Plants, Roses and Kitchen GRAND COMMANDERY ALDEN BIESEN Gardens.’ It is the perfect opportunity to get inspired and find A magnificent heritage site, an international culture the right flower for your garden. Get informed by and conference centre and a tourist draw: The Grand attending exhibitions, demonstrations and lectures by Commandery Alden Biesen has more than one ace up professionals from Belgium and abroad, and shop at its sleeve. Originally built by the Teutonic Order, it is the nurseries specialised in old and botanical roses and now one of the largest castle estates of the Euregion. breeders of rare plants. The formal gardens are regularly replanted, and the terraces in front of the south-east A visit to Alden Biesen isn’t complete until you’ve façade were redesigned in 1990 by Antwerp landscape explored the natural beauty on and around the castle architect Jacques Wirtz. The surrounding park, created estate. So strap on those hiking boots or mount your in 1770, has survived almost untouched to this day. In (rented) bicycle and off you go, with or without a the kitchen garden you can find analysis and evaluation guide. Thanks to the cycle route network, cycling in of your own compost samples, specialised nurseries and around Alden Biesen is enjoyable and safe. The offering individual collections of new and rare plants, routes run along mostly car-free cycle paths via a children can learn how to build an insect hotel from unique bicycle junction network. natural materials or attend the scarecrow exhibition, you can learn how to hybridise and produce a new rose, or visit the exhibition of butterflies and moths and the plants they need. 8 - 10 June 2018 (Spring edition) 8-9 September 2018 (Autumn edition) OPENING HOURS: from 10 am to 6 pm Tickets: 10€ pp (children till 16 years old are free) No dogs allowed Free parking 0032 (0)1 274 73 41 [email protected] www.hex.be

13 NEAR WEST-FLANDERS

HET ZWIN PARK VAN BEERVELDE

Knokke GARDEN DAYS 11 - 13 May 2018 The Zwin is a beautiful nature reserve at the Belgian coast, an ‘international bird airport’, but also a dream 12 - 14 October 2018 for plant lovers. Thanks to the permanent influence of the salty water, the Zwin boasts certain species This event takes place twice a year, each second that can barely be found elsewhere along the Belgian weekend of May and October . coasts. During these weekends, more than 220 nurserymen, designers and artisans exhibit, for the public’s pleasure Since it’s reopening in Summer 2016, the completely and enlightenment, probably the most spectacular refurbished park is a unique and varied top attraction variety of plants and garden- related ware one could where visitors experience nature to the full. The new hope to see in Belgium. It is worthwilementioning that Zwin has something in store for everyone. prices of the plants are definitely lower in Belgium than in England or France. In fact, Beervelde pioneered It is now an all-weather location and includes a in Belgium a fresh way to discover plants: in the open landmark Visitor Centre with a permanent exhibition, a air and in an exquisite setting - quiet, congenial and restaurant and a Zwin Boutique. The visitor center and elegant. Since the very first show, Beervelde has gained cafeteria offer a unique and stunning 360˚ panoramic and retained the reputation of “Belgium’s must for all view of the park, the surrounding nature of the garden lovers”. Zwinduinen- and polders and the vast Zwinstreek. In the nature reserve, with its numerous dunes and dune Beervelde is also particularly attractive because each pools, landscaped trails provide access to the various’ time (twice a year) the organizer creates a new theme, experience shacks. Apart from the Zwin Nature Park, which is worked out by the participants. For this the Zwin is accessible free of charge: the Zwin Bistro, edition the Zwin Shop, the Zwin Region Information Centre and no less than 220 ha of Zwin dunes and polders PRACTICAL INFORMATION: which guide you to the Zwin Nature Park on foot or by Spring edition: 11-13 May 2018 from 10 am til 6 pm bike from Knokke Het Zoute. Autumn edition: 12-14 October 2018 from 10 am til 5 pm

CONTACT INFORMATION Entrance Fee: Presale: 10€ Zwin Nature Park At the gate: €12 per person Graaf Léon Lippensdreef 8 Groups: €8 per person (min. 25 persons + 2 free tickets) B – 8300 Knokke - Heist Free of charge for children under the age of 15 www.zwin.be/en/zwin-nature-park Dogs on a leash are admitted Restaurants and self-service available Where: 2 km from exit 11 of the E17 motorway between

14 Ghent and Antwerp GPS: Lochristi, Beerveldse Baan 33

Parking: Free of charge in large meadows

CONTACT INFORMATION Park van Beervelde Beervelde – Dorp 75 9080 Beervelde 0032 (0)9 356 81 82 [email protected] www.parkvanbeervelde.be/en/home

COPYRIGHTS The Royal Greenhouses © www.monarchie.be - The Brussels carpet © Visit Flanders, Hallerbos © Tom Linster, Gaasbeek © Tom Linster, Herb Garden © Herb Garden & Visit Leuven, Het Zwin © Visit Flanders