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Orchid gala celebrates the world’s largest island nation
A dazzling display of orchids and Asian exotic plants launches this weekend at London’s Kew Gardens to celebrate the incredible wildlife and vibrant culture of Indonesia.
The archipelago which spans more than 17,500 islands, including Java, Borneo, Sulawasi, Papua and Bali, is home to 4,000 species of orchid and many other indigenous plants, including the astonishing foul-smelling Titan arum, which Kew grows and has flowered on a number of occasions. An eruption of orchid blooms will take centre stage on the pond in the centre of the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Life-sized models of the country’s iconic animals, such as orangutans, tigers and rhinos, will also be depicted from hundreds of tropical flowers and an archway made up from hundreds of carnivorous pitcher plants, native to the country, will be unique features of the display. “The Conservatory will be transformed by aweinspiring displays showcasing the country’s biodiversity and Kew’s work in the country to help protect, conserve and study its plants,” said conservatories manager Scott Taylor.
▪ The festival runs from Saturday, February 8 to Sunday, March 8. Entry is included in the standard ticket to the gardens, but visitors must book a timed ticket slot online in advance by visiting: www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/keworchid-festival. A programme of after hours events on February 13, 14, 26, 27 and March 5-6 from 6.30 -10pm will feature Indonesian music, dance and cuisine, as well as a series of talks from Kew orchid experts. For details visit www.kew.org.