Artists announced for Orchids Peru

Kew’s iconic Orchid festival returns in 2025 to brighten up the winter months. Taking over the Princess of Wales Conservatory from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 2 March 2025, the 29^th orchid festival draws inspiration from the unique flora and fauna of Peru.

From beaches and rainforests to deserts and mountains, Peru offers a varied landscape which is home to over 3000 species of orchid, and an incredible array of wildlife. This beauty and biodiversity will inspire a series of stunning horticultural displays and living sculptures in the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens in London.  

A horticultural spectacular

As visitors step inside the glasshouse, the spectacular scenery of Peru will be recreated in floral form.  A breathtaking cornucopia sitting on a grass island will take over the central pond, reminiscent of Lake Titicaca and inspired by one of Peru’s national symbols. Flamboyant flowers will tumble out, representing the abundance of biodiversity found in Peru, whilst in a smaller pond floral parihuanas stand proud in front of the iconic Machu Picchu. The world’s largest bromeliad, the Puya raimondii (commonly known as the Queen of the Andes) will also be displayed alongside floral sculptures inspired by this incredible plant, classified as endangered in the wild by the IUCN. The country’s wonderfully diverse wildlife is celebrated with an orchid-aviary that brings to life the diverse bird populations of Peru, and visitors are welcomed by an alpaca bedecked in orchids. Elsewhere, you can wander beneath a starry night sky adorned with dazzling Allium flower heads which will be recycled from Kew’s outdoor garden displays.

Solene Dequiret, Supervisor of the Princess of Wales Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew says: “We are thrilled to bring the biodiversity of Peru to life in this year’s orchid festival. From the towering peaks of the Andes to precious fog oases and beyond, the rich tapestry of Peru’s flora and fauna provides an endless source of inspiration. Our team work tirelessly to create breathtaking displays that not only celebrate the beauty of orchids but also highlight the importance of conservation efforts globally. Orchids Peru is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature and escape the winter blues while learning about Kew’s ongoing commitment to understand and protect our planet’s biodiversity.” 

Peruvian art

Peruvian photographer Mariano Vivanco is celebrated for his vast portfolio of fashion and portrait photography. Having shot the likes of Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Naomi Campbell, Sam Smith and Lily Cole (the latter’s portrait can be found at the National Portrait Gallery, London), his editorial work has reached a global audience in international magazines including Vogue, GQ, i-D, Dazed & Confused and Harper’s Bazaar. For Orchids Peru, Vivanco brings a selection of large-scale photography from his captivating PERU collection that sees the classic editorial style of his lens turn to his homeland in a celebration of its folklore and heritage. Vivanco’s contemporary perspective of Peru’s rich and diverse history will guide visitors through ancient civilisations from Caral and Moche through to the Inca Empire – a powerful visual counterpart to the floral displays.

The Princess of Wales Conservatory’s microcosm of Peru will be completed by new bespoke pieces from Lima-born artist, Gisella Stapleton. Drawing inspiration from the enduring strength of women in Latin America, Stapleton’s signature vivid style spans the wide range of materials she’s adopted over the course of her career – from painting and embroidery to murals. In November 2024, Stapleton unveiled her latest piece – an 8-metre mural of the beloved bear, Paddington, in South Bank, London. For Orchids Peru, Stapleton will respond to the featured plants by creating murals to reflect their temperate and tropical native environments. A pottery display will showcase colourful hand-painted patterns whilst large murals championing contemporary Peruvian culture will bring further warmth and vibrancy to the orchids experience.

Kew Science and Horticulture

RBG Kew works with partners across Peru on several vital scientific and research projects, including mapping ecosystems, forest restoration, conserving and restoring crop wild relatives and looking at ways agricultural practices can be adapted as we experience an everchanging climate. Recent fieldwork has also involved enhancing access to medicinal plants, working with paramotorists in the deserts to aid conservation efforts, and developing a partnership with the National Botanic Garden of Peru.  

After Hours | Fridays and Saturdays between 7 and 22 February 2025 | 6.30pm to 10pm

Winter blues will be banished in this special series of After Hours events celebrating Peruvian music and culture. The spectacularly lit orchid displays will form a colourful backdrop for live music, streamed DJ sets and live dance performances inspired by the South American nation. Pisco sours and delicious Peruvian dishes will bring much-needed warmth to February nights, and Kew scientists will reveal behind the scenes insight from their research trips to Peru. 

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is dedicated to harnessing the power of plants and fungi to end the extinction crisis and secure a future for all life on Earth. With Kew’s world-leading research, global partnerships and beloved gardens – home to the world’s most diverse collections of plants and fungi – Kew is using its trusted voice to shape policy and practice worldwide. As a charity Kew relies on the critical support of its visitors, not only to sustain the gardens, but to protect global plant and fungal biodiversity for the benefit of our planet and humanity.

Saving Orchids: Stories of species survival in a changing world by Philip Seaton and Lawrence W. Zettler 
Publish date: February 2025

Orchid fever began in the nineteenth century, when orchid hunters extracted the delicate plants from the tropics by the millions. Their aura of mystery and romance persists, making them vulnerable to extinction. From seed banking to community education, Saving Orchids shows how and why orchids are protected globally, keeping them from extinction and conserving our planet’s rich biodiversity.

-ENDS- 

Orchids Peru admission:     

• Entry to Orchids Peru is included when purchasing a ticket to Kew Gardens. 
• The best value tickets can be booked in advance via kew.org. 
• Visitors must book separate timed entry slots for Orchids 2025 in advance
• Quiet sessions will be available on a pre-booking basis

Orchids After Hours

• Fridays and Saturdays between 7 and 22 February 2025
• 6.30 to 10pm (last entry 9pm)
• Early bird rate – valid until midnight 19 January 2025: Adult £17 | Kew Member £12.50
• Ticket price from 20 January 2020: Adult £20 | Kew Member £15

Press images are available here: https://we.tl/t-wEPNPH5NgD   

For more information or images, please contact the Press Office at pr@kew.org / 0208 332 5607

Peruvian plants in the Princess of Wales Conservatory

Puya raimondii – An endangered species known as the Queen of the Andes, this is the world’s largest bromeliad, with one of the largest flower stalks of any plant on earth which can reach 10 metres long. It is native to the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia.

Passiflora venusta- named as new to science in 2007, having previously been misidentified as another species in the 1920s, Passiflora venusta originates from Peru and Bolivia and produces vibrant pink and purple flowers. 

Browningia hertlingiana - this cactus, which is native to Peru, is commonly known as Blue Cereus. In the wild, it is found on the slopes of the dry forests of the Andean valleys. It produces blue side shoots with sharp spines and can grow as tall as 8 meters. 

Costus vargasii- Another Peruvian native, the Costus vargasii is commonly known as the Spiral Ginger or Raspberry Yogurt plant because of its vibrant red inflorescence which usually appears in the summer. It has long and glossy leaves which are dark green on the top, and deep purple underneath. These spiral out and circle as the plant grows, and it can reach up to 2 meters in height. 

Gorgonidium intermedium- A member of the Aroid family, this plant produces a solitary leaf and a vibrant maroon red spadix. Native to Peru and Ecuador, it grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome, one of the most threatened ecosystems in Peru, and one which is under increasing pressure due to climate change. 

Sanchezia stenomacra- Commonly known as the Blood Red Feather, this magnificent plant is at home in the jungles of Peru. It thrives in humid environments with filtered light. It produces blood red flowers which look just like feathers, and in the wild it is pollinated by hummingbirds and butterflies. 

Pamianthe peruviana- Commonly known as the giant Peruvian daffodil, the Pamianthe peruviana is native to the seasonally dry areas of Peru and Bolivia. Like orchids, it is an epiphyte, which means that it grows on the surface of another plant or tree rather than in the soil and absorbs water and nutrients from the air. This stunning plant produces enormous white flowers which are highly scented. It is believed to be extinct in the wild but is represented in several living collections around the world, include at Kew Gardens.