Press Release
Orchids Exposed
For release Thursday 30 October 2003
Kew Gardens' 10th Annual Orchid Festival
14 February - 4 March 2004
Budding romantics and imaginative lovers will be heading for Kew Gardens
this Valentine's Day as it opens its doors to the most enticing hot
spot in London. The warm steamy atmosphere of the Princess of Wales
Conservatory is the backdrop to Kew's tenth annual orchid festival,
Orchids Exposed, where a quarter of a million orchids adorn every space;
hanging in trees, grouped around rock pools and waterfalls, creating
a tropical paradise just out of the city.
Orchid collectors throughout history have gone to incredible and occasionally
frenzied lengths to get up close and personal with the objects of their
desire. Even the ancient Greeks succumbed to their allure, believing
that the roots possessed aphrodisiac qualities and could cure reproductive
problems. Kew's Orchids Exposed explores the most intimate secrets of
these extraordinary plants, providing spellbound visitors with a glimpse
into the private lives of orchids which are, of course, all about sex.
Renowned for their vast number of species, shapes, colours and sizes,
orchids are impossibly attractive. However, the more seductive the flower,
the more deadly its means of ensuring pollination. True femme fatales,
orchids are mistresses of deception, flaunting themselves to an array
of pollinators and mimicking receptive female insects by exuding pungent
scents or even taking on their appearance; as with the Bee Orchid which
assumes the look and feel of a female bee. Sadly, the unsuspecting pollinators
are often treated roughly at the hands of the orchids and are finally
tossed aside, unrequited in love.
Other aspects of the festival are just as captivating. A giant swan
installation decorated with hundreds of white phalaenopsis orchids forms
a magnificent centrepiece based on Jan Asselyn's painting The Threatened
Swan, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. In White Peaks
a series of stunning photographs by Marina Gavazzi studies the intricate
structure and beauty of orchids in Kew's living collections. Visitors
can discover the astounding methods orchids use to reproduce, which
Kew scientists study as part of their research that contributes enormously
to the conservation of orchids worldwide.
For the ultimate romantic experience and to escape from cold winter
nights, Kew is holding two evening openings on Wednesday 25th February
and Wednesday 3rd March. Set against the velvety dark canvas of the
night sky, dramatic lights illuminate the displays in the warm tropical
atmosphere. Wine, tantalising nibbles and stories of beauty and mystery
combine to make a unique atmosphere as intoxicating as the plants themselves.
Visitors to the Orchid evenings can choose to extend this delightful
evening with dinner in the elegant Orangery restaurant.
Orchids Exposed exclusive evening openings are on Wednesday 25 February
and Wednesday 3 March from 6.30pm and cost £15.00 per person for
entry, a glass of wine and canapés. Dinner will be served in
the Orangery from 7.30pm and costs £45.00 which includes the above
plus a three course meal and costs £45. Tickets for both must
be purchased in advance by telephoning 020 8332 5616.
The orchid festival is generously supported by Singapore Botanic Gardens
and Singapore Airlines. Singapore Botanic Gardens has a close relationship
and important historical links with RBG, Kew. The two organisations
signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2000, committing to
pursue joint initiatives in training, research and promote exchanges
of information and joint field work.
Kew Gardens is open daily during the orchid festival from 9.30am - 5.30pm.
For details about visiting Kew, phone 020 8332 5655 or check out Kew's
website at www.kew.org. Entry is £8.50 for adults, £6.50
for concessions, free entry for children of 16 and under.
Images are available from Ali Cuthbert or Hannah Rogers, Kew Gardens
press office tel 020 8332 5607 or email pr@kew.org. Marina Gavazzi images
are available shortly
Hannah Rogers Press Office Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Richmond TW9 3AB
Tel 020 8332 5607 Fax 020 8332 5610
Kew Gardens - Now designated a World Heritage Site Our mission: To
enable better management of the Earth's environment by increasing knowledge
and understanding of the plant and fungal kingdoms - The basis of life
on Earth.
For further Press information please contact:
|
Kew: Public Relations Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5607/5619 |
Wakehurst Place: Public Relations Tel: +44 (0)1444 894018 |
