Kew Gardens is never short of colour but it is even more of a tropical paradise this month, with the opening of the Orchid Festival.

The Royal Botanic Gardens’ Princess of Wales conservatory has been transformed into a celebration of Brazil’s plantlife and fascinating habitats with orchids and other tropical plants filling the steamy glasshouse.

Among suspended orchids, a tunnel of exotic plants and rainforest trees swathed in colour, there are five central figures around the pond which allude to the flamboyant costumes of Brazilian carnival dancers.

Display horticulturalist Elisa Biondi said: “This year the pond display will be a true explosion of colour - a real carnival.

“What we want to do is capture the essence of Brazil, to take visitors on a journey through the biomes of this incredible country, all the while showing the range of conservation and science work that Kew is doing with South America.”

There is even the chance to explore the Brazilian wonderland after dark, with the return on Kew Lates on February 11, 18, 26 and March 3 where you can sip botanical cocktails, listen to talks, music and samba among the plants.

Alongside the wildlife will be an exhibition of Margaret Mee’s artworks entitles Brazil – A Powerhouse of Plants, that is open from February 20 to August 29.

Kew’s Orchid Festival is in the Princess of Wales Conservatory from February 6 to March 6.

Go to kew.org

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