Cologne, Germany - The world's largest flower garden, the Keukenhof in The Netherlands, is marking the 60th anniversary of its birth with a US theme.

The festivities include a mosaic of more than 25,000 flowers in the shape of the Statue of Liberty, according to the Dutch tourist office in Cologne.

Keukenhof chose the theme as 2009 is the 400th anniversary of explorer Henry Hudson's arrival under the Dutch flag in present-day Manhattan.

The colony of New Amsterdam that was founded there later became modern-day New York.

A total of 7 million flower bulbs including tulips, hyacinths and narcissus have been planted in the 32-hectare park near the town of Lisse.

Since its opening in 1949, around 44 million people have flocked to the park. In 2009, Keukenhof will be open daily from March 19 to May 21 between 8 am and 7.30 pm.

Admission for adults costs 19 dollars with discounts for senior citizens, children under the age of 11 and groups.

A car parade with over 50 vehicles along a 40-kilometre route between Nordwijk, via Harlem to the park is also planned for April 25.

"The biggest lily show in the world" is also being planned for May 14 to 21 with about 30,000 lily plants on display.

Keukenhof is also giving visitors the novel chance to tour the flower beds in a boat with an almost silent electric motor.

Information: Keukenhof, Stationsweg 166a, NL-2161 AM Lisse. Tel.: ++31/252/46 55 55, Internet: www. keukenhof. nl. (dpa)