The world is a big place with many gardens, and it is not just in the UK where we take our approach to gardening very seriously. Now seen as an essential extension to the way we live, outdoor spaces -no matter how big or small, are an important part of our lives.
Here is an overview of the biggest and the best gardening events from around the world and why they are such inspirational places to visit.
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
Unique, as this is the only flower show which is hosted by a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is most certainly pick of the blooms for a horticulture show below the equator. Celebrating the great Australian outdoors and outback while collating the best in Australia landscape design, garden design and floral talent this popular show is normally held in April and is visited by over 10,000 people.
Highlights of the show include interactive activities like floral design workshops, a range of entertainment including spaces for children along with showcasing flowers, gardens, designers and a range of retailers. One of their more popular show garden styles is the achievable gardens display.
Other large horticulture events in Australia include Floriade, celebrating all things flowers and held in Commonwealth Park in Canberra.
Singapore Garden Festival
Only held every other year (so plan your Singapore trip timing with care). A huge horticulture event with some of the most interesting categories of show competition gardens, including fantasy gardens and floral windows to the world. Held over nine days this garden show attracts attention from designers showcasing and people visiting from across the globe. Regularly reaching over 300,000 visitors and showcasing over 25000 plants and over 1000 individual species it is no wonder that this flower show is going from strength to strength.
https://www.singaporegardenfestival.com/
The Floriade, Holland
When you think about Holland and Amsterdam in relation to horticulture you would be forgiven for thinking tulips! However, there is so much more to the Holland Flower and Garden scene than just tulips and windmills. The Dutch Horticulture industry have The Floriade event only once a decade – a large flower and garden show that looks at trends through decades and also looks at modern developments in water and sustainability to plan for the future – a real ‘green’ event.
The original Floriade is held in Holland, at various locations, the next one not being until 2022, so if you miss it remember to catch the more regular annual Holland Food and Flowers festival held in BovenKarspel just outside of Amsterdam.
http://www.holland.com/global/tourism/article/floriade-2012-26.htm
Bundesgartenschau
Hosted in different cities bi-annually, this top German garden Show is known for using landscape architects and structurally minded garden designers to change and expand on large public spaces across the city where it is held. This show has a very structured approach and offers a huge amount of information alongside the more traditional garden show varieties!
Philadelphia International Flower Show
America’s largest flower show is held in Philadelphia each year, and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. The show evolved from Pennsylvania Horticulture Society there is a great sense of history and pride in this All American Garden Show. Each show has a base theme which changes each year and it is visited by over 250,000 people.
Flower Shows in the UK
Of course there is no way to do a world list of great flower shows without mentioning two of the most well-known garden and flower shows in the world both based in the UK. Hampton Court Palace Flower show and RHS Chelsea Flower show, known throughout the world as the gold standard for all things horticulture.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-flower-show