Nederland - Anna Paulowna, Poldertuin

After the construction of the Anna Paulownapolder an office of the water board was built. This stately home is locally known as Polderhuis. In 1885 the Poldertuin (Polder Garden) around the house was designed by landscape architect Jan David Zocher jr., who also designed the well known Vondelpark in Amsterdam and the garden of Soestdijk Palace. His gardens are characterized by winding paths and water features with bridges.

Polderhuis (nowadays privately owned) and Poldertuin were sold to the municipality. The garden is still owned by the municipality of Hollands Kroon, but since 2014 it is managed by a foundation. In autumn volunteers plant thousands and thousands flower bulbs, which are blooming between early April and mid May. The flower bulbs are donated by about hundred flower bulb growers in the region. The Poldertuin offers a large variety of springtime flowers like tulips (220 species), daffodils (125 species), hyacinths (30 species) and 35 special bulbs and tubers.

The garden is also called ‘Little Keukenhof’, although the comparison is not appropriate. Keukenhof is no less than 25 times bigger and just open for eight weeks a year. Poldertuin is open all year, can be visited free of charge and is a real hidden gem and not very known to tourists.