Spring is a magical time for flower lovers – all the fields of color and beauty are just around the corner. There are so many spectacular places to see the best of Spring.
Here are just a few highlights from around the world:
- Keukenhof Spring Gardens, Netherlands – Open from March 21st – May 10th to view the stunning displays of Dutch Tulips. Each year hundreds of thousands of people visit this magical garden from all over the world. A river cruise is a great way to see the tulips.
- The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in Florida is March 4th through June 1st. Filled with a colorful array of flowers, gardens, topiaries, and educational events. From Frozen & Beauty & the Beast, to all of your favorite Disney characters including Winnie-the-Pooh, Snow White, Donald Duck & Mickey. On the weekends, you can learn helpful gardening tips and see demonstrations of advanced gardening techniques from around the world.
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show: With all the attention on the Olympics, not much has been mentioned about the Chelsea Flower show running May 19-23rd, 2020. Enjoy dazzling displays, expert advice and garden ideas from experts.
- Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, CA – Starting March 1 through mid May, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The park is open from sunrise to sunset for the best Poppy viewing. Although opened year round, the peak viewing period is usually Mid-April.
Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island, Canada – Open year round, these gardens offer 5 seasons. The spring flower season is from March 16th – June 14th and displays a spectacular variety of bulbs in bloom. Several Canada tours and Alaska cruises include Vancouver Island.- Huntington Gardens, Pasadena, CA – Covers 207 acres with more than 14,000 different varieties of plants showcased in more than a dozen principal garden areas.
- National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kauai Island, HI – Houses five gardens in Hawaii. Our favorite is on the island of Kauai, the McBryde Garden in Lawai Valley which covers 252 acres and is home to the largest collection of native Hawaiian floras and many other plants from the tropical regions of the world.
- Daffodil Days at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum – Stoll the gardens along woodland paths with over 50,000 daffodils, early blooming bulb trees and shrubs April 10th through May 6. These gardens are about 60 minutes south of Boston.
- Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY May 8-17th – This free annual festival offers the opportunity to see more than 500 varieties of lilacs in bloom. Activities include international food vendors, an art show and parade.
Related reading: Best Flower Festivals in the U.S.
Perhaps the most notable flower event is the Floriade which is held only every 10 years. It is a World Horticultural Expo with more than 100 exhibitors from dozens of countries will together pay tribute to horticulture. The next Floriade is in 2022. The theme is “Growing green cities,” and the location will be in the city of Almere, just outside of Amsterdam.
Flower festivals in the US and Canada are a wonderful spring tradition. For the world’s most celebrated flower event, our advisors’ Cherry Blossom Season & Festivals guide is the ultimate guide to planning a bloom-watching trip.
