Gardening event: Kew Orchid Festival

Celebrate India’s colourful culture and plant life at Kew’s sumptuous Orchid Festival, held within the tropical atmosphere of Kew’s Princess of Wales Conservatory.

From 4th February to 5th March, a giant Indian flag created from 900 chrysanthemums will provide the backdrop to a feast of colour supplied by a life-size flowery elephant and peacock, decorative rickshaws and floral displays inspired by a typical Indian market, while an embellished Indian marriage swing sways amongst the vanda orchids.

The pond display will feature the intense hues of a larger-than-life floral arrangement of different orchids, there will be a pop-up shop with orchids for sale and onsite catering stops will be dishing up Indian delights including cardamom cake and spiced tea.

Entrance is free with a general ticket.

You can also enjoy exotic Indian cocktails, traditional violin playing, drop in on an Indian dress session, cookery workshop or Vinyasa yoga class at one of the after-hours ‘Lates’ evenings, 6pm - 9.30pm, for a ticket price of £15; for details, and more about courses and talks during the Festival, see kew.org