If you’re a gardening enthusiast, a hippie or just plain ol’ flower lover, Malaysia’s Royal Floria Putrajaya 2015 is an event not to be missed. Here’s why:
1. Unless you are in a jungle or extremely large plant nursery, you will not be able to find 400,000 plants on display simultaneously, anywhere else on the planet.
2. 2015’s theme is the very badass, the very beautiful lily. They even have one called Stargazer, which shoots rays of lightning from its center… I’m kidding. Though, if you have cats, you shouldn’t bring them along. Stargazers apparently hate cats and have evolved a mechanism that makes them poisonous to our furry friends.
3. The Floria folks have been organizing this event for eight years, so they pretty much know how to have a good flower show.
4. There will be cute ‘themed’ gardens – like the one with outdoor furniture at the rather uncreative, but aptly named “Outdoor Furniture Garden.” There’s even a spot where you can have your own picnics in our administrative capital’s blazing tropical heat.
5. New attractions abound, like a dome with controlled environments. It simulates snowfall and the spring and houses tulips from the Netherlands and roses from Kenya.
As I live just 20 minutes away from Putrajaya, I’ve attended almost every single Floria since it was first held in 2007. They have now become one of the largest events in the region, attracting nearly 1 million visitors yearly.
Seeing a homegrown brand morph into an internationally known event is like watching a child grow up, and as a Malaysian, I do feel a great sense of pride in telling friends overseas that we have something that can rival international flower shows in London or Melbourne.
Last year’s was particularly well-organised, since it was the first time they were doing it in a permanent site that had been allocated by the government.
Some of 2014’s highlights: the hipster Instagram fodder ‘Umbrella Avenue’ – rows and rows of colorful umbrellas strung up along a pavilion lined with flowers – which will likely see a comeback this year due to popular demand.
Then there is the Pinwheel Garden, with its bright rows of pinwheels spinning in the wind.
Yellow-centered white orchids with soft, chiffon white curtains. Now we just need a bride and we’re all set for a photoshoot.
Expect to see landscaped gardens filled with everything from water lilies, lotus flowers, roses and hydrangeas to orchids and begonias.
Who will become The Next Top Floral Designer? *You just read that in Tyra Bank’s voice, didn’t you?*
50 floral designers and landscape architects from all over the world will also be participating in a contest to see who can come up with the best flower arrangements and displays.
So if you’re ever dropping by Putrajaya, Malaysia from May 30 to June 7, don’t forget to grab your tickets!
For more details, visit http://www.floriaputrajaya.com.my/.
