"Getty Images Inspired by China's sweeping landscapes and rich traditions, Kew Gardens' annual orchid festival has made a return on its 30th anniversary. Solene Dequiret, who oversees Kew's Princess of Wales Conservatory, said the event celebrated Chinese tradition "with plants and people at its heart". She said the festival "brought some colour and joy at a time when the garden is looking a bit sad," having previously featured orchids from countries including Columbia, Indonesia and Madagascar."
"Getty Images Entering through a snakeinspired archway, visitors pass under lanterns, ornate arches of good wishes, and a traditional moon gate. A dragon made from lotus seed heads, orchid plants, and dried leaves stretches across the central pond, while nearby nine koi sculptures made from ginkgo leaves glide over a smaller pool. The experience culminates under an arch adorned with a horse - a nod to 2026 being the year of the horse. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew"
Kew Gardens reopened its 30th orchid festival with a China theme, highlighting Chinese biodiversity and traditional motifs. The display features a snake-inspired archway, lanterns, ornate arches of good wishes, a moon gate, a lotus-seed-head dragon across the central pond, and nine koi sculptures made from ginkgo leaves. An arch adorned with a horse references 2026 as the year of the horse. Designers planned sculptures for almost a year, saved dry material at summer's end, and ordered orchids—many from the Netherlands—while Kew's permanent collection is also included. Over 6,500 plants required nearly one hundred staff and volunteers to install. An artwork by Zheng Bo tells the story of five orchids from Lantau Island longing to migrate to the ocean.
Read at www.bbc.com
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