The much loved Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens 2023 was a joy to behold. What a treat to visit a garden in February and have such gorgeous flowers on show. It was truly a sight for sore eyes.
This years display in the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew took inspiration from the amazing beauty and biodiversity of Cameroon, the first time that it has celebrated an African nation. The gorgeous displays taking place across ten different climatic zones throughout the conservatory represented a series of global ecosystems under one roof.
The varied landscapes and wildlife of Cameroon were highlighted with hand-crafted sculptures and expertly grown orchids by a highly skilled team of horticulturalists.
Solene Dequiret, Supervisor of the Princess of Wales Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew says:
“We always look forward to the return of the Orchid festival and this year we are excited to welcome visitors to enjoy a host of stunning displays inspired by the wonderful flora and fauna of Cameroon. The Orchid festival is always the perfect antidote to the chillier days of winter and provides us with a wonderful opportunity to showcase a selection of incredible plants which transform the Princess of Wales Conservatory, as well as allowing us to highlight the vital work of our science colleagues and partners working in Cameroon.”
Kew works with partners across Cameroon on several vital scientific and research projects, including collaborating with the National Herbarium of Cameroon and others to identify Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) in the country.
Since 2004, scientists at Kew have also been working with partners to document the biodiversity of Cameroon’s Ebo Forest with a view to designating the area as a Tropical Important Plant Area.
But that is enough words! Why not just soak in the delightful images I collected from the 2023 Orchid Festival and imagine you are in warmer climes.
Mark Snelling
All images copyright
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