The Tulips of Modern Holland

Sprawling across the landscape like a gigantic patchwork quilt are the brightly colored tulip fields of Holland.

Acres upon acres of flowers decorate the countryside in Anna Paulowna, North Holland with fields in pink, yellow, red and purple.
Photographer Normann Szkop captured these beautiful shots from the air in during the multi-coloured height of the growing season in mid-April.

 

More than three billion tulips are grown each year and two-thirds of the vibrant blooms are exported, mostly to the U.S. and Germany.
The tulip season begins in March and lasts until August with several shows held across the country, but the flowers are undoubtedly at their most spectacular at this time of year.
The cultivation of flower bulbs began more than 400 years ago and today Holland produces more than nine billion bulbs every year, of which two thirds are exported overseas.
Evenly distributed, this number would allow for almost two flower bulbs for every person on the planet.

 

Normann explains: "The tulip has come to be a loved symbol of the Netherlands. Many tourists visit the country just to see the bright coloured flower and the astonishing view over the bulb fields.’
‘The season begins in March with crocuses, followed by the daffodil and the yellow narcissi. In April the hyacinths and tulips blossom to some time in mid May, depending on the weather. Later, in August it is time for the gladioli. Modern mass flower production and modern windmills replace the ages old images we have of Holland. But the brilliant colors which can be seen for miles and miles across the flat landscape are a wondrous sight to see.