This garden, Zeeland Dahlia, located in Heinkenszand, specializes in the cultivation of dahlias, offering an impressive collection of over 450 different varieties.
Visitors have the opportunity to pick their own dahlias directly from the garden. The self-picking season runs from mid-July until the last weekend of September. During this period, the garden is generally open every Saturday from 10 AM to 12 PM. An annual open garden event, inviting the public to explore, is held on the last Saturday and Sunday of August, from 10 AM to 5 PM. For those wishing to visit and pick dahlias on weekdays, appointments can be made by telephone for morning hours. In addition to self-picking, freshly cut dahlias are available for purchase directly from the farm’s home address (Julianastraat 3, Heinkenszand) on Saturdays between 10 AM and 12 PM, and on weekdays by prior phone arrangement, where visitors can select their own flowers or acquire a pre-cut bunch.
Beyond fresh flowers, Zeeland Dahlia also sells dahlia tubers through its webshop, with ordering typically commencing in November. Special tuber digging days are organized in the second week of October, accessible strictly by appointment. The farm is recognized for its award-winning dahlia varieties and provides comprehensive guidance on dahlia cultivation. Group tours and visits can also be arranged by contacting them via phone at +31 6 12 74 5789.
What visitors say
This acclaimed dahlia garden, run by multiple Dutch champion Frans Sturm, is consistently praised as one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. Visitors are captivated by hundreds of vibrant dahlia varieties, often described as a “colorsplendor” and a “delight to the eye,” which successfully challenges any perception of dahlias as old-fashioned. Frans, his wife Ineke, and daughter Miranda are deeply passionate about their work, cultivating these magnificent blooms and readily sharing their extensive knowledge and practical tips. The collection is not only beautifully presented, but customers also appreciate the opportunity to provide input on future varieties. Many patrons enjoy visiting the garden and frequently order dahlia tubers, which are typically delivered as a neat selection of good quality, allowing them to cultivate these stunning flowers in their own gardens.
However, a notable exception to this positive feedback involves one particularly disappointing experience. A customer reported receiving an order where the dahlias were diseased (with gall) and almost all the tubers were broken at the neck. This issue was compounded by a lack of restitution or satisfactory solution, leading the customer to declare they would never order from the nursery again.