Europe in Bloom Trivia Quiz

The Versailles Gardens, covering about 800 hectares, are located in Versailles, just outside Paris. Construction began in 1661 during the reign of King Louis XIV. They were designed by André Le Nôtre, a renowned French landscape architect.

The gardens are a classic example of the French formal garden style, characterised by geometric patterns, symmetrical flowerbeds, gravel paths and numerous fountains and water features. Some of the famous parts of the gardens include the Grand Canal and the Latona and Apollo Fountains. Built to surround the Palace of Versailles, the gardens have been used for royal events and ceremonies ever since.

Kew Gardens is located in southwest London and covers an area of around 121 hectares. It started as a royal garden in the mid-18th century and grew over time to become one of the world's most famous botanical gardens. The gardens are home to a huge collection of plants - over 50,000 species - housed in historic glasshouses such as the Palm House and the Temperate House.

Kew is known not just for its beautiful landscapes but also for its significant contributions to plant science and conservation. Visitors can explore a wide variety of different areas, including the Japanese Garden, the Waterlily House and the Arboretum.

Keukenhof, often called the "Garden of Europe," is located in Lisse, in the heart of the Dutch bulb-growing region. Covering about 32 hectares, it is one of the world's largest flower gardens. Keukenhof was established in 1949 as a spring showcase for the Netherlands' famous flower industry, especially tulips.

Every year, millions of visitors come to see its colourful displays of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other spring flowers. The garden features themed flower shows, flower arrangements and beautifully designed landscapes that change with the seasons. Keukenhof is only open during the spring months, typically from late March to mid-May.

The Boboli Gardens are located behind the Pitti Palace in Florence and cover about 45,000 square meters. They were created in the 16th century for the Medici family, one of the most powerful families in Renaissance Italy. The gardens are an early example of the Italian Renaissance style and combine formal layouts with natural elements like grottos and fountains.

Visitors can explore a variety of sculptures, statues and ornamental fountains scattered throughout the garden. The Boboli Gardens also offer great views over Florence and the surrounding hills. They have influenced the design of many European gardens that followed.

The Schönbrunn Palace Gardens are located in Vienna and form part of the former summer residence of the Habsburg royal family. Covering about 160 hectares, the gardens were developed in the 18th century alongside the Baroque palace. They follow the formal French style with geometric flowerbeds, tree-lined avenues and decorative fountains.

Notable features include the Neptune Fountain, the maze and labyrinth and the Gloriette, a hilltop pavilion offering views over the city. The gardens are also home to the world's oldest zoo, which was founded in 1752. Open to the public, the gardens remain a popular place for walks and events throughout the year.

The Sofiero Palace Gardens are located just north of Helsingborg in southern Sweden, overlooking the Øresund Strait. The gardens cover about 15 hectares and were first established in the mid-19th century as part of the royal summer residence. King Gustaf VI Adolf, who was passionate about gardening, expanded and developed the grounds during his lifetime.

Sofiero is best known for its extensive rhododendron collection, comprising over 10,000 plants representing around 300 varieties. The gardens also feature formal flowerbeds, woodland areas and pathways that lead down to the waterfront. The gardens are now open to the public and host seasonal exhibitions and events.

The Generalife Gardens are part of the Alhambra complex in Granada, in southern Spain. They were built in the 13th and 14th centuries as the summer palace and retreat of the Nasrid rulers. The gardens follow traditional Moorish design principles with an emphasis on symmetry, water features, and shaded walkways.

Spanning several terraces, the gardens contain ornamental flowerbeds, hedges and cypress trees, as well as long pools and fountains that reflect the surrounding architecture. The layout combines decorative beauty with practical elements, such as channels that once irrigated orchards and vegetable gardens. From many points in the gardens, visitors can enjoy spectacular vistas of both the city and the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains.

The Powerscourt Gardens are situated near Enniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland. They cover around 47 hectares and date back to the 18th century as part of the Powerscourt Estate, once owned by the Wingfield family. The landscape combines formal Italian-style terraces with more naturalistic areas, including woodlands, lakes, and a Japanese garden.

Visitors can wander through various features, including the Triton Lake, the Pet Cemetery and the iconic 18th-century terraces, which offer stunning views of the nearby Sugarloaf Mountain. The gardens have been developed and maintained over the centuries and remain open to the public as a historic site.

The Peterhof Palace Gardens are located near Saint Petersburg, on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland. Covering about 600 hectares, they were commissioned by Peter the Great in the early 18th century as part of his vision to create a Russian counterpart to the gardens of Versailles. The design follows the Baroque tradition with grand fountains, formal parterres, canals, and numerous statues.

One of the gardens' most famous features is the Grand Cascade, a spectacular series of terraces with dozens of fountains and sculptures, centred around the Samson Fountain. The gardens extend down to the Gulf of Finland, offering wide views of the water. Over the centuries, the gardens have been restored and maintained, making them one of Russia's most important cultural landmarks.

The Herrenhausen Gardens are located in Hanover and cover around 50 hectares. They were originally created in the 17th century as baroque gardens for the House of Hanover, designed to impress with symmetrical layouts, grand parterres and ornamental fountains. The Great Garden is the main part, featuring carefully trimmed hedges and pathways that form intricate geometric patterns.

In addition to the baroque design, the gardens include an orangery built in the 18th century and a later-established botanical garden. Over the centuries, the gardens have been damaged and restored multiple times, especially after World War II. Today, the gardens remain a major cultural landmark and host events and exhibitions.