Horticultural heritage and garden restoration in the Netherlands

Historical horticultural developments and preservation efforts are being highlighted in the Netherlands. In Lisse, the legacy of four specialized bulb institutes—the Tuinbouwschool (Rijks Middelbare Tuinbouwschool), Proeftuin, Laboratorium, and Consulentschap—is being examined. These institutions focused on balancing theory and practice to advance bulb cultivation knowledge, which had previously lagged due to a reliance on purely practical experience.

In Zeeland, the historic Kloetinge estate is undergoing a restoration of its flower garden. Supported by a subsidy from the Province of Zeeland, the project aims to restore characteristic plant borders that gained national fame in the 1980s and 1990s. The garden was a pioneer in the ‘New Gardening’ movement, emphasizing perennials, ornamental grasses, and seasonal rhythm, contributing to the evolution of modern landscape design.