Kew Gardens’ Orchids 2022 celebrates the biodiversity hotspot Costa Rica and the vibrant displays and accompanying soundscapes have been inspired by the flora and fauna of Central America.

Orchids 2022 at Kew Gardens © RBG Kew

Now in its 26th year, Kew Gardens’ annual festival, Orchids, which takes place until 6 March, is celebrating the rich and colourful culture of Costa Rica in Central America. Visitors can escape the UK’s winter weather and step inside a glasshouse filled with colourful horticultural displays and animated soundscapes, transporting them to the tropics of Central America. The festival is also a showcase of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s collaborative projects to protect Costa Rica’s diverse species.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international and a top London visitor attraction.

Quetzal in the Princess of Wales Conservatory © RBG Kew

The festival route around the Princess of Wales Conservatory is designed to recreate the landscape of Costa Rica, taking visitors from the southern shores, where the Pacific Ocean laps its world-renowned beaches, to the northern coastline that looks out onto the Caribbean Sea.

Along the way, displays feature native animals – including monkeys, sea turtles, toads, quetzal and hummingbirds – all made from plants. A highlight is the resplendent quetzal, a bird native to Costa Rica and a charismatic symbol for the protection of the country’s forests, and the central display in the glasshouse pond will be filled with brilliant vibrant orchids and bromeliads.

Kew’s focus on Costa Rica for Orchids 2022 will highlight the country’s unique position as a biodiversity hotspot. Home to 6% of the world’s biodiversity, even though it covers just 0.03% of the planet, it is a role model for the conservation of biodiversity; with around a quarter of its land part of a protected forest or reserve.

Kew horticulturalists at work © RBG Kew

Kew has many collaborative scientific projects in Costa Rica, which include constructing a ‘family tree’ for all its orchid species to learn how to better protect them, and documenting plants in La Amistad Biosphere Reserve - one of the richest places on Earth for plant diversity.

Will Spoelstra, Glasshouse Manager at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said: “Every year we enjoy brightening up the gloomy winter months with creative, vibrant and beautiful displays for Orchids, and this time around feels all the more pertinent after last year’s closure – the first ever in the 27-year run of the festival.

“Costa Rica is a major orchid habitat with so many interesting species, and has much to teach us about conservation as the world faces such huge threats from biodiversity loss. Visitors will be able to safely enjoy a coast-to-coast journey across this tropical paradise that we’re aiming to recreate inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory, and learn a thing or two about its diversity and cultural wonders along the way.”

Sea turtles in the Princess of Wales Conservatory © RBG Kew

Kew Gardens’ 132 hectares of landscaped gardens, and Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden, attract over 2.5 million visits every year. Kew Gardens was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 260th anniversary in 2019.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, added: “The annual orchid festival at Kew is one of the highlights of the winter months for plant lovers from around the globe. The spectacular displays and faithfully recreated landscapes provide the perfect backdrop to some of the world’s most beautiful flowers and for anyone visiting London in February this really is a must-see attraction!”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of England or the United Kingdom, including a visit to Kew Orchids, please do contact our friendly team today. We also specialise in garden tours and, whatever time of year you choose to visit the UK or Ireland, we can put together the perfect itinerary for you to enjoy the best of the seasonal colour!