Gardener or not, just about anyone can appreciate the wondrous hues of the botanical world, sniffing the subtle fragrances and revelling in natural beauty at yearly flower festivals. Join us as we take you on a stunning journey to witness the best blossoms and floral festivities around the world (pollen masks recommended).
Keukenhof Flower Festival. Lisse, Netherlands. March-May. If there’s one flower synonymous with spring, it’s tulips – and if there’s one place synonymous with tulips, it’s the Netherlands. Blossom peepers from around the world head to the magnificent Keukenhof garden in South Holland, which is only open each year from March until May 19, when deliciously scented tulips, crocuses, hyacinths, orchids, carnations, irises, daffodils and a variety of other bulb flowers are in bloom. Aside from gorgeous petals, the park offers an assortment of attractions for all ages, including performances, public art, a full-scale windmill and various organised events.
Floralia Brussels. Brussels, Belgium. April-May. The 12th-century Kasteel Groot-Bijgaarden comes alive each spring season with the largest Belgian assemblage of rhododendrons and English azaleas, plus 400 varieties of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. This year, the festival honours the 450th anniversary of the death of Dutch Renaissance painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, showcasing 20 reproductions of his most renowned works – with frames decorated by famous floral designers. [Photo: Linda De Volder/Flickr]
Kawachi Fuji Gardens. Kitakyushu, Japan. April-May. Fairy tales are real at Kawachi Fuji Gardens: it’s hard to think otherwise while strolling through an actual multi-colour wisteria tunnel, breathing the oh-so delicate scent of the violet, pink and white flowers and expecting to see a fairy fly out any time from the ethereal blossoms. The wisteria is in bloom from late April to early May, and as this is a wildly popular attraction in botanics-loving Japan, you’ll need to book tickets for a specific time slot in advance. [Photo: gtknj/Flickr]
VA Garden Week. Virginia (statewide), US. April-May. This is perhaps the only time of year when you can saunter into a participating private estate in Virginia, explore its picturesque gardens and come away without being prosecuted for trespassing. Featuring more than 250 gardens of historical interest, this 8-day garden tour extravaganza is wish fulfilment for history buffs and green thumbs alike. [Photo: The Garden Club of Virginia]
Infiorata di Noto. Noto, Italy. May. Every year on the third weekend in May, the central street of Noto, a city in southeastern Sicily, is carpeted in vibrant flower petals, as artists from near and far gather to create colourful mosaics in honour of an annual theme (“Sicilians in America” for 2019). In addition to the artful petal displays, the beautiful Baroque city comes alive with parades and performances all weekend until Monday morning, when the local children are let loose to romp through the flower art.
Great Gardening Weekend. Montréal, Canada. May. Whether it’s environmentally friendly activities, insider tips on planning a garden in different light conditions or gaining biodiversity insights, the Montreal Botanical Garden’s Great Gardening Weekend promises an enlightening and stimulating experience. [Photo: Mathieu Rivard]
Madeira Flower Festival. Funchal, Portugal. May. Thanks to the subtropical climate of this Portuguese island off the northwest coast of Africa, Madeira is a wonderland of blossoms in every colour – especially in April and May. The capital of Funchal hosts an extravagant flower festival, taking place 4 weeks after Easter, complete with parades, music, artist-designed floral “carpets” and a Flower Market. Perhaps the most inspiring attraction, however is, the Wall of Hope mural decorated by local children entirely with flowers, meant to express hope for a more peaceful world.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show. London, England. May. The Holy Grail of flower shows welcomes visitors with its eclectic collection of concepts – from a garden inspired by rock formations on an Australian beach, to a canal-inspired garden and The Resilience Garden, raising awareness about forest vulnerability in the face of climate change. There will even be gardens designed by CAMFED and Facebook; it might pay to keep a selfie stick handy.
Chelsea Fringe. Various Cities. May-June. Not green-fingered? Wondering how a garden grows? There are plenty alternative and imaginative solutions to that – just check out the Chelsea Flower Show Fringe festivities, including gardening stories and philosophies, advice and remedies, bee factoids, seed bombing workshops, guerilla gardening sessions, pop-up tree goodie knitting clubs, floral flotillas and even music to help your plants grow.
Kazanlak Rose Festival. Kazanlak Bulgaria. May-June. What started as a simple rose harvesting ritual in the early 18th century has blossomed into a universally recognised celebration in the town of Kazanlak, in central Bulgaria at the foot of the Balkan mountain range, where some of the world’s most precious rose oil is produced. Expect to take in centuries of tradition with folk dances, songs, feasts, carnivals and the scents of your exotic Kazanlashka pickings.
Epcot International Flower Festival. Orlando, Florida, USA. March-June. In true Disney fashion, everything assumes magical proportions at this Orlando flower festival. Teeming with eye-catching Disney character topiaries, it’s the kind of place adults and kids won’t mind getting lost in. Tantalising treats, an outdoor concert series and instructional ‘How To’ sessions at the 11 outdoor ‘grow your own’ kitchen gardens will whet your physical and mental appetite. [Photo courtesy Disney]
Portland Rose Festival. Portland, Oregon, US. June. Stop and smell the 4,000 rose blooms at this annual spring show that’s been going strong for well over a century. If you care for something livelier, then check out the floral walks, colourful parades, open-air concerts, half marathons and boat races that offer ample opportunity to play participant and work up a sweat. [Photo courtesy the Portland Rose Festival Foundation]
Medellín Flower Fair. Medellín, Colombia. August. It’s only appropriate that, in a place known as “the city of eternal spring”, the most important social event of the year centres around flowers. In addition to the iconic Desfile de Silleteros (a parade of elaborate portable flower art, recognised as a cultural heritage of Colombia), visitors can take in an array of cultural and artistic events, from an orchestral festival to classic car parades and performances of traditional music and dance.
Floriade. Canberra, Australia. September-October. Touted as one of Canberra’s most iconic events, this flower festival exemplifies a passion for all things gardening, delighting visitors with its extensive floral showcase. Among this year’s highlights is a groovin’ NightFest featuring live music, laugh-riot-inducing comedy acts and a buzzing night market.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival. Chiang Mai, Thailand. February. At the end of the cool season, the city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand goes flower-mad, putting on show-stopping displays of orchids, chrysanthemums and other beautiful blossoms including the Damask Rose, which is found only in the local area. The event’s major highlight is the Flower Parade, complete with stunning floats and traditional music and dance. Grab a place on the sideline – you may even receive a rose from one of the performers.
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