Day trip to ‘Het Hemelrijk’ and ‘De Kleine Boerderij’ FULLY BOOKED

A summer day full of greenery, surprising gardens, and fascinating stories – this year we are being driven around in the Antwerpse Kempen. The day starts with coffee at the atmospheric Kiekenhoeve in Essen. From there, we go to the Arboretum Hemelrijk: the private garden of Jelena de Belder, the grande dame of Arboretum Kalmthout. This gently rolling 107-hectare park with large ponds is located in one of the last quiet areas of our country. Hundreds of trees and shrubs, numerous collections, and tree genera have been given the time here to reach full maturity. Rob Kuypers will provide the guided tour. A rare opportunity – the Hemelrijk is only accessible with a guide. Next: Plantentuin De Kleine Boerderij in Merksplas, the life's work of Jan Oprins and the late Harry van Trier. It is a garden with many rooms and a maze in a bamboo forest, collections of peonies, hydrangeas, and daylilies, … an atmospheric heath garden under white birch trunks. After the sandwich lunch on the terrace, a tour follows by Jan Hendrickx and his fellow guide. We conclude at the visitor center Kolonie 5-7 in Merksplas, with the intriguing story of vagrants in this unique historical landscape. Organization: Hortus ter Saksen Rob Kuypers knew Jelena de Belder personally and has been helping to maintain Het Hemelrijk for years. Rob participates in Hortus activities – some may know him. Jan Hendrickx is a retired landscape architect and has been active in the garden since 2016; he designed the heath garden, among other things, and donated his own plant collection to the garden. Departure: 8:30 AM, bus at Gravenplein in Beveren at Ter Vesten Participation: € 65 p.p. incl. coffee upon arrival, guides, admission, sandwich lunch with hot and cold drinks, and bus transport Registration: email info@hortus-ter-saksen.be with the name of participant(s) and ‘Daguitstap’ (Day trip) After our confirmation, transfer € 65.00 to BE86 1030 5638 4350 and mention the name of participant(s) and ‘Daguitstap’ This trip is fully booked