Chinese orchids bring a message of hope to Chelsea Flower Show
Exhibits carried a deeper meaning about conservation and the ability to bring people from around the world together
The Chelsea Flower Show is one of the highlights of the summer for British high society, attended by royalty, celebrities and 150,000 gardening enthusiasts.
Visitors last week marvelled at spectacular show gardens and lavish ornamental installations, featuring a wide and colourful variety of plants, from roses to fuchsias and wisteria.
Almost 30,000 glasses of champagne are usually consumed at the five-day event, which has been running for more than a century. There was even a lifting of the usual ban on garden gnomes.
This year there were two displays that contrasted with the more traditional, ornate presentations – and they came all the way from China.
The impressive exhibits featured Chinese orchids, some of which are rare and were being seen in the UK for the first time. They won coveted awards and received a visit – and compliments – from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
But the displays had a deeper meaning, conveying an important message about conservation and the ability of orchids, with their beauty, cultural significance and vital role as indicators of ecological health, to bring people together.