Living
Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals
Slide Nr 1Gardener 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).
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 2Keukenhof 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.
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 3Floralia 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]
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 4Kawachi 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]
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 5VA 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]
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 7Great 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]
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 9RHS 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.
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 11Kazanlak 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.
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 12Epcot 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]
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 13Portland 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]
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Blooming Marvellous: 15 Fabulous Flower Festivals.
Slide Nr 15Floriade. 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.
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