MY GARDEN LIFE Kew Gardens’ Elisa Biondi can’t wait for the Orchids Festival

Ahead of the opening of the 24th Orchids Festival at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, we talk to Elisa Biondi, Supervisor of the Princess of Wales Conservatory, to find out about her passion for exotic flora

Q What first inspired your love of orchids?

I’ve always been interested in nature, and as a child growing up in Italy my dad taught me about herbal remedies and foraging. My love of orchids began on a plant collecting trip in the Dolomites while I was at university. I saw the most amazing lady’s-slipper orchids and immediately wanted to find out more about them.

“I spend A lot of TIME choosing plants FOR Kew’s Exhibition displays, BUT THE ACTUAL designs Fall Into place QUITE quickly”

Q How did you come to work at the Royal Botanic Gardens?

After studying agronomy in Italy, I worked as a landscape and environmental consultant, but I much preferred being around the plants to sitting behind a computer, so I applied to Kew. I’ve been here just over nine years now.

Q What inspires you about the plants you work with?

All plants fascinate me, but orchids are so alluring. They come in such a dazzling array of colours, shapes, and sizes – with flowers that can be smaller than a thumbnail or almost as big as my hand.

Q Can you describe what your garden at home is like...

I have a balcony where I keep a jungle of cymbidium orchids and other favourite houseplants, including cacti and bromeliads. These plants are happy outside in summer, but they don’t like the frost so I bring them in for winter.

Q Who do you most admire in the garden world?

I was inspired by and learned a lot from the teachers at the London College of Garden Design, where I studied for a Diploma in Garden Design – Andrew Wilson, Andrew Fisher Tomlin and Mark Gregory are hugely talented and all have won Gold medals at RHS Flower Shows. I also admire James Basson for his amazing sustainable gardens and Sarah Eberle for her ability to design in both modern and classical styles. As well as designers, I often look for ideas in the work of abstract painters, such as Mondrian and Miró, who use colour so brilliantly. Of course, the best inspiration for me is nature itself.

Q What’s your role in the forthcoming Orchids Festival?

Along with my team, I’ve designed the displays for the festival, inspired by Colombia’s wildlife and biodiversity. This event showcases Colombia’s rich biodiversity, and the work Kew is doing in that country. The central display will form a carnival of animals made up of orchids, bromeliads and other plants, to represent the country’s diverse fauna. It’s hard work but great fun.

Q Which sort of orchids would you recommend?

Moth orchids (phalaenopsis) are ideal for beginners as they flower for months in the average home environment. If you have a cooler room, with a minimum of

15°C, choose a slipper orchid (paphiopedilum), or try a Dendrobium nobile hybrid or cymbidium, which will cope with temperatures as low as 12°C.

Q How do you like to kick back at the weekend?

I head to Richmond Park on the outskirts of London for walks in the ancient woods there – it’s so peaceful and watching the deer is a real stress buster. Back home, I love snuggling up on the sofa with my cats.

Kew’s Orchids Festival runs from 9 February to 10 March. Entry to the Festival is included in the standard ticket to the gardens, kew.org.