Floriade 2012: Holland’s garden party

Once every 10 years, Holland stages Floriade, the world’s premier horticultural extravaganza. CNN lists the event as one of the 10 top world destinations for 2012.

And it’s not surprising.

Officially, the event is referred to as an exposition, but perhaps the Olympics of Horticulture would be a more apt handle for this six month event (it runs until October). This year it takes place in the southeast part of Holland — in Venlo near the German border. Holland has dressed up over 66 hectares of once fallow farmland and invited the world to its garden party.

Dozens of countries are participating to create five unique themed worlds: Relax & Heal, Green Engine, Education & Innovation, Environment and the World Show Stage. Each area offers pavilions and exhibits featuring programms and activities to reflect its theme. In each “world,” visitors are served up a cultural menu of music, dance, literature, theatre and visual art.

Yes, plants and flowers feature prominently and they are dressed in their party best. While wildflowers quietly bloom in the woods, the park has been planted with 3,000 trees, 1.8 million bulbs, 5,000 rose bushes and 190,000 perennials. As the season progresses, the grounds will be ablaze in waves of colour and texture creating an ever-changing landscape.

Displays offer gardeners ideas to take home with them, with an emphasis on getting close to nature. The “Willow Bike Riders” in the Luxembourg’s garden illustrate how natural products can be used creatively in garden design.

For the flower-mad, Villa Flora in the Green Engine world is the place to be, with the largest indoor floral exhibition in Europe. Here the designs dazzles with wild and wonderful floral art and sculptural design.

In the Relax and Heal world you can explore how horticulture contributes to better health and wellbeing. A serene looking pool with a fire-breathing dragon at the water’s edge makes you wonder if we need both calm moments and a little excitement to better cope with the challenges of life.

Many architecturally interesting buildings dotted throughout the park attract lots of attention, starting with the 70 metre-high building that greets you at the entrance. Known as The Innovatoren, designed by Architect Jo Coenen, the building is destined to become part of Venlo GreenPark — an innovative business park focused on sustainability and innovation. Spain’s colourful facade demands attention.

Then there is the fun and quirky; a full-size tree, its trunk enveloped in a knitted “tree cosy,” garden chairs shaped like tulips that fold up when not in use, and innovative products like the recyclable packaging that individually coddles each flower bulb.

For more information, go to floriade.com.