Floriade, Holland

A visit to Floriade 2012, a horticultural exhibition, an event that occurs once every ten years in Holland.   A really big affair, which this year runs from April until the beginning of October.    This year it is situated in Venlo, on the eastern border with Germany. 

We decided to chance on the weather being fine yesterday, and drove to Venlo, in order to attend the exhibition.   And it was thankfully, although not overly warm, but then not freezing either, and there was certainly no rain, thank goodness.   

The infrastructure for Floriade is superb, excellent parking, continuous buses (free) to take people to the grounds, plenty of restaurants which did not charge exorbitant prices,  plenty of space, superb landscaping and exceptionally clean and tidy grounds,  plenty of very clean toilets, lots of seating to rest the weary bones, and most importantly space to breathe.    

Quite different from Chelsea, but then Chelsea has the name for high quality garden competitions, and important for potential and established gardeners and landscape designers.   The fact that there is not enough room for people to move around on the open day, is not a high priority for the organisers, it would appear.   

First stop for the day was to have a much needed cup of coffee, and a little cake too, of course.   

 The very tall entry building for the horticultural exhibition, towers above the grounds, and the surrounding area of Limburg.  

 There were large areas of beautiful wild flowers, which were simple but breath taking.

 A view from the cable car, of the small landscaped gardens, in the centre of the grounds.   The gardens were simply designed, with minimal planting and very elegant.   Brian, you would have liked to see them, as you thought many of the winning designs at Chelsea, were a little 'over the top' with too many plants, too many trees and too messy.

 Once off the cable car, we looked around the 'Relax and Heal' area.    This metal dragon roared and breathed fire, if you fed it some money.   The idea was that the flame would burn away a person's stresses.    The Healing Dragon.   Interesting.

 A well set out restaurant area.

 Swathes of grasses and simple perennial plants were well used in the displays.

 Lying around by the water.     Two interesting friendly heads.   With hands.

 More gardens.

 A walk through the woodland.

 More swaths of grasses.    The dark with the light.

 A spectacular piece of art work for the garden.    Rusty iron, with a design cut out in it, and backed with a sheet of aluminium.  

 A light show.   Flower innovations.   Four large plastic flower shapes which rotated and changed colour, in time with the light show above it.  All to music of course.  There was glass at the back which made it look as if there were many flower shapes.    Quite spectacular really, and I could have sat and watched it for ages, but we needed to get going, as we were only at the exhibition for one day.

 The tree house.    For adults.

 In the exhibition hall there were some very creative designs, made of plastic.

 And wood and cane and many other materials.    All very colourful.

 My new dress!   Perfect for your wedding, Donna and Patrick.

 A wooden fence?  Or just an art piece?    Looked good anyway.

 Creating a wave effect with concrete and pebbles.   Great to look at, but not for walking on.

 I am always fascinated by espaliered trees in this country and there were plenty there.

 An egg shaped building made out of varnished plywood.   We learnt all about algae there.   This will be the producer of the future.

 Basel plants growing in ultra violet light.    Holland leads the world in its research on sustainable food production.  

Holland also researched, and found a cure for Dutch Elm Disease too.   And the disease did not start here by the way, it was named Dutch Elm Disease because of the research and cure found here.

 There were lots of mushrooms growing, and many interesting types and shapes.    All very important to food production.

 Biological cartons.  Good for protecting the environment, especially for kangaroos and joeys!   Apparently the concept is that the box is as good as the mother kangaroo's pouch.

 The planted outdoor table top.    A similar concept to planting a roof on a house!    Interesting.

 Here is how you can use that old couch.    Take it outside, make holes in it, and put your plants into the stuffing, with soil of course.    Ecologically sound?   An interesting concept.

A jumper especially knitted for this tree.

 The plants, trees and paths on the roof of the building.    Innovations from Belgium.

Most of the foreign exhibitions were from India or north Africa and mostly contained goods for sale.    However, China's display garden was superb, and nothing for sale there either.  

 One of the landscaped gardens had a line up of cyclists.  Going nowhere of course.   Creative topiary.

And finally back to the Aqua Pavilion for some light refreshments, such as a beer and a glass of wine.   To unwind of course, and to rest our very tired legs, after having walked for most of the day.

A very blue piece of sculpture.   

The blurb for Floriade 2012 claims that the five areas, each one with its own decor, shows nature in a different manner, and people will learn how nature will give rest and health, well being and good feelings.    Also it shows how nature and industry can combine well together.    By looking at the future, people will become aware of the importance of ensuring that cities are green, both in ensuring there are green spaces and in how they manage waste.  Floriade 2012 claims it is restful, educational and playful and an active showcase for the whole family, and people will be astounded by the power of nature.   It is a discovery tour for everyone.   And I think this blurb pretty well sums up how we too felt about the exhibition too.   A very educational day, and also extremely enjoyable. 


For those people who are interested in attending the exhibition, please go to www.floriade.nl for more information.