Event: Kew's Tropical Extravaganza, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, until March 7 2010
Kew's Tropical Extravaganza provides a welcome relief from this month's frosty weather. A plethora of vibrant orchids and bromeliads have taken over the Royal Botanical Gardens for the most colourful flower festival in London.
The Princess of Wales Conservatory takes centre stage, brimming with thousands of orchids and other tropical plants, which cover every part of its structure. Its balmy tropical atmosphere forms a perfect oasis for the sizzling spectacle.
Vandas are among the tropical delights on display
The Extravaganza kicks off Kew's Year of Biodiversity, a programme of events celebrating the importance of plants to us all in the UN's International Year of Biodiversity.
It's a bit of a sensory overload wandering through the Conservatory, past bright bursts of colour erupting out of the tropical foliage.
The archways and pillars drip with a wealth of different orchids and bromeliads. Among them is the carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plant, which traps and digests insects and even small rodents.
The show is part of Kew's Year of Biodiversity
An island of exotic orchids forms the centrepiece of the pond at the heart of it. It includes spiky Miltassias, spiralling Dendrobiums and cockleshell orchids with their octopus-shaped flowers.
The sculptural display celebrates biodiversity by capturing just a tiny fragment of the orchid’s diverse array of colours, shapes and sizes. An aquarium hosting Green Water Dragons, Piranha, Poison Dart Frogs and fish from the Amazon perfectly complements the flower festival.
Phalaenopsis hybrid
Another riot of colour awaits visitors in the more intimate setting of the Waterlily House.
Flamboyant Orchids and bromeliads decorate the glasshouse and the usual waterlilies have been replaced with a stunning pond display of delicate Cymbidium orchids.
There are information posts dotted amongst the elegant foliage, providing the opportunity to learn about Kew's work around the world to protect plants, particularly in biodiversity hotspots such as Madagascar.
Information posts and guided tours augment the displays
A variety of hands-on sessions have also been laid on to enrich the experience, including a behind the scenes tour of Kew’s orchid nurseries, which are usually closed to the public. Friendly volunteer guides or "rovers" can be found dotted around the gardens to answer all your plant-related questions.
You don't need to be a horticulturist to appreciate the aesthetic beauty of Kew’s display – it will astound anyone who goes to see it. And it might even inspire you to grow a few orchids of your own.
All images © RBG Kew
Open 9.30am-5.30pm. Admission £13/£11 (free for under-17s). Call 020 8332 5655 or visit the Extravaganza online.
Behind the Scenes Tours take place 1.30pm, 2pm and 2.30pm daily, followed by questions and answers session. Admission £5 (except Tuesday and Thursday, £15, includes orchid potting demonstration.) Call 020 8332 5604 or email tours@kew.org to book.
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