The Vlinderhof — the “butterfly garden” — lies within the Máxima Park on the west side of Utrecht. Designed by Piet Oudolf, it is one of the most accessible places to see his naturalistic planting language in a genuinely public setting.
The garden is built from perennials and ornamental grasses arranged in the flowing, layered drifts for which Oudolf is known. It is planned for long seasonal performance: flowers give way to seedheads and grasses, and the planting stays expressive well beyond the peak of summer.
What makes the Vlinderhof special is that it is a civic garden, cared for in large part by volunteers, yet designed by one of the most influential plantsmen of the age. It shows how naturalistic planting can work at the scale of a public park.
Why the Vlinderhof matters for garden travellers
The Vlinderhof matters because it puts Piet Oudolf’s planting language in front of anyone, in a public park rather than a private commission. It is an ideal place to study the movement at first hand.
It also shows how naturalistic planting supports biodiversity — the “butterfly garden” name is earned — while remaining a designed, composed and rhythmic piece of garden-making.
What to look for
- flowing drifts of perennials and ornamental grasses
- seedheads, stems and late-season structure
- transparency and layering in the planting
- long seasonal performance beyond peak flowering
- the balance between naturalism and design
- insects, pollinators and the garden’s ecological life
- how the planting works on a public, civic scale
Garden character
The Vlinderhof is relaxed, rhythmic and richly planted — a public garden that reads as naturalistic yet is carefully composed. It rewards visitors who enjoy perennials, grasses and the ideas behind contemporary planting.
Visiting the Vlinderhof with GardenTours.com
On a Dutch Wave garden tour, the Vlinderhof is one of the clearest demonstrations of Piet Oudolf’s public planting. It pairs naturally with the JP Thijssepark and with the wider story of Dutch naturalistic design.
Related tour
Dutch Wave Gardens Tour 2027
GardenTours.com is preparing a summer garden journey through the Netherlands’ naturalistic planting movement — from Mien Ruys and Piet Oudolf to contemporary perennial gardens, grasses and specialist nurseries. Join the priority list for first notice when dates, pricing and the full itinerary are released.
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