Het Bloemendal

Het Bloemendal is an alpine rock garden inside the Provincial Domain of Huizingen, and one of the more unusual gardens you'll find near Brussels. Spread across more than five hectares, it combines a man-made mountain stream, cascading waterfalls over rock formations, and tens of thousands of plants gathered from mountain regions around the world.

Where does this garden come from?

Bloemendal was built in 1957, timed to coincide with the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58). The design is the work of landscape architect Paul de Wit, who set out to create a showcase of Belgian garden art for the millions of visitors expected in Brussels that year. Garden historians consider Bloemendal both the high point and the closing statement of "Le Nouveau Jardin Pittoresque" — a Belgian design movement built around picturesque corners, decorative flourishes, and dramatic water features.

What's actually inside the garden?

The centerpiece is an artificial mountain stream that tumbles down through a series of small waterfalls set among carefully arranged rock formations. Around it, more than 80,000 plants have been established — mostly alpine and mountain species brought in from different climate zones, from the Alps to more distant ranges. The layout is deliberately theatrical: paths wind between rocks, planted terraces, and viewpoints, so that new sections of the garden reveal themselves gradually as you walk through, rather than all at once.

Why was it restored?

After decades of use, both the planting and the water system inside Bloemendal needed serious attention. The province commissioned a restoration file in 2008, and the work — carried out in two phases — was completed in 2019. The restoration addressed the stream and waterfall system as well as the plantings, while staying faithful to de Wit's original 1957 concept. The result was recognized with the Hans Vredeman de Vries Prize, awarded by the King Baudouin Foundation for outstanding conservation of historic gardens.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Het Bloemendal located? It sits inside the Provincial Domain of Huizingen, in the municipality of Huizingen in Flemish Brabant, a short distance from Brussels.

Who designed the rock garden? Landscape architect Paul de Wit designed it in 1957, built to coincide with Expo 58 in Brussels.

How many plants grow there? More than 80,000, mostly alpine and mountain species sourced from various regions around the world.

Has the garden been restored? Yes — restoration work ran from 2008 to 2019 in two phases, and the finished project won the King Baudouin Foundation's Hans Vredeman de Vries Prize.

Is there more to see nearby? Bloemendal is part of the larger Huizingen Provincial Domain, which also includes the grounds of a former castle, making it worth combining a garden visit with a longer walk through the park.