The unpredictable winter weather is forcing the Keukenhof flower gardens to plant ever more bulbs to guarantee a colourful display between March and May, NU.nl reports.

The number of bulbs used has gone up by 30% in the last few years and for this season some seven million were planted between the beginning of October and the end of December.

‘Extremes in temperature are becoming more frequent and nature is reacting. It’s 12 degrees at the moment and the first shoots are showing. It’s only early January so that is relatively soon,’ Keukenhof director Bart Siemerink told NU.nl.

To avoid disappointment for tourists who, in some cases, have booked tickets years in advance, the park has changed its planting scheme to include varieties which will bloom at different times, so covering the whole of the park’s season, Siemerink said.

The period the park will be open, which is determined two years in advance to accommodate travel agents, has also been adjusted to contend with the vagaries of the weather. The park will now close a week earlier than last year, opening between March 21 and May 10.

Some million and a half visitors are expected to visit the park to see this year’s ‘World of colours’ display.