x
Type in what your trying to find.
Type in what your trying to find.
Having heard so much about Floriade in the Netherlands, I was keen to experience this world famous European garden event held every ten years and looking forward to two days soaking up the atmosphere in Venlo, a magnet for horticulturists and gardeners alike. Admittedly, I was anticipating a flower-fest of grand proportions with a strong eco influence and so arriving late May in cool, wet conditions, I found the landscape was a little drab at first view.
However, there was plenty of evidence of new massed garden bed plantings timed for the Summer, with very interesting colour and texture combination of annuals, perennials and grasses for inspiration.
A giant pair of gumboots greets you on arrival
The giant pair of gumboots (should they have been the traditional Clogs?) at the entrance was certainly a talking point with the crowds on arrival – very big shoes for Floriade to fill. I chose the cable car for an overview of this vast site and then one of the many restaurants for generous serves of coffee and cake while deciding where to explore first.
The Floriade garden brochure featured five distinct regions with numbered features under the headings; Education and Innovation, Relax and Heal, Green Machine, World Show Stage and Environment with strong emphasis on touch and feel activities for families.
A view from the cable car gives you some idea of Floriade’s huge size
Lots of tree and shrub nurseries featured their new releases in landscaped garden displays, farmers in their vegetable plots demonstrated the harvesting of white asparagus and strawberries to share with the crowds while advanced topiaries featured strongly in formal displays or just by the side of the path in the form of a large sofa to seat six.
There is literally something for everyone’s taste here from the quirky to the wow factor and so, after much deliberation and looking at hundreds of photos, here are my top ten specials:
The Dome shows a very 21st century mutli-media overview of Dutch horticulture and agriculture
The magnificent grassy setting of the Floriade Theatre
Fire-eating metal Healing Dragon
The Grassy-haired Twins
Green Living Lounge and Dining Room with succulents, ferns & organic food on the menu
Clever display ideas where everywhere, like these flower ‘shopping trolleys’
Advanced topiary, like these cyclists, featured strongly in the displays
Considering the vast area Floriade occupies, I would rate the presentation 8/10 for design, innovation and inspiration and there were many areas such as the World Show Stage and some of the perimeter walks that I chose not to see due to time restraints.
Everyone wanted a photo on the topiary sofa
The nursery and agricultural industries, supported by the Dutch Government providing valuable support to their businesses, went to great effort to design and promote the message of the Five Themes and modifications were being made even while I was there so it is still a work in progress. The themed areas that I saw were often original, sometimes humorous and well presented.
For gardeners, horticulturalists, landscapers and sight-seers and the tulip fanciers, there is plenty to see and do or just sit and watch the world go by in a one of the many cafés, restaurants or the cable car.
Floriade, Venlo is a one-off experience in modern horticultural display and well worth a visit!
A little bit of Floriade 2012 philosophy
