Orchids at Kew
1 Feb – 2 March
The beautiful Orchid Festival returns to Kew from 1 February to 2 March at the Princess of Wales glasshouse. The focus is on the beautiful orchids of Peru, exhibiting stunning horticultural displaces of plants and animals and showing some of the iconic landmarks in Peru, like Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines. Peru is home to some 3,000 species of orchids, many not found anywhere else in the world and the display will show a microcosm of this beautiful country and its landscape.
The history of the Orchids at Kew festival is a celebration of exotic beauty and botanical artistry, rooted in over two centuries of horticultural excellence. Kew, established in 1759, has long been a global leader in plant science and conservation. Orchids have held a special place in its collections since the 18th century when these rare plants captivated European botanists and collectors.
The Orchids at Kew festival first launched in 1995 and began as a small-scale showcase to highlight Kew’s extraordinary orchid collection, one of the most diverse in the world. Over the years, it has blossomed into an eagerly anticipated annual event, drawing visitors from across the globe. Each year, the festival adopts a theme inspired by the culture and flora of a specific region, transforming the Princess of Wales Conservatory into a vibrant display of thousands of orchids arranged in breathtaking designs.
The festival not only celebrates the orchid’s natural elegance but also raises awareness of the challenges facing wild orchid populations, including habitat loss and climate change. Through this event, Kew continues its mission of fostering appreciation for the natural world, while inspiring conservation efforts for one of Earth’s most exquisite plant families.
Free to enter with usual admission fee to the gardens. kew.org. Find more family articles here.
Image: Courtesy of @RBG Kew