The Garden

The characteristic feature of the formal 17th century garden is the strict symmetry of the lay out. Het Loo Palace garden is an excellent example. A number of parterres are grouped around the central axis and these are planted with closely trimmed box hedges in decorative scroll patterns, hence the name broderie parterres. The edging bands or rabatten are filled with a choice selection of annuals and perennials interspersed with topiaried juniper berry bushes, typical of the local Veluwe area. The often rare plant specimens were brought from all over the world by the West India and East India companies for William and Mary.

A garden like this is designed to be viewed as a seasonally changing flower and plant exhibition. Thus, the flowers are planted individually rather than in groups so that each species can be properly seen in all its beauty.
To each side of the palace are William and Mary’s private gardens, aptly named the King’s garden and the Queen’s garden. Mary’s garden has a serious collection of centuries-old citrus trees which are on display in tubs between May and October. Their fruit and their blossoms combined represent a symbol of the House of Orange.

Fountains
Though the gardens at Het Loo were of modest proportions compared to those of Versailles, the waterworks enjoyed great renown for permanently spouting fresh groundwater diverted from the surrounding higher lying hills. Moreover, the King’s Fountain at the rear of the Upper garden which rose to 13 metres was the highest spouting fountain in Europe. The fountains run from April to October.

Garden statues
The garden statues, gods and goddesses from the Greek myths, all have to do with the growth and flourishing of the garden and are dedicated to celebrating the achievement of creating such a oasis of delight in an originally arid heath land. Venus, the goddess of love, takes centre stage as the driving force behind it all.

A garden for all seasons
Some of the plants at Het Loo change every year, both in the spring and in the summer. The aim is to achieve the most accurate possible reconstruction of the original garden. The splendid colour of the flowers in the spring and summer, and often in the autumn as well, contrast with the marvellous effect of snow on the decorative patterns of the box parterres in the winter.
The best view of the gardens is from the small surrounding banks and of course from the palace roof, a view that can only be enjoyed on Wednesdays in June, July and August.
The gardens consistently render a visit to Het Loo Palace a special experience, even if their splendour is only reflected in the historic flower arrangements placed throughout the interior.