Floriade 2002 - Netherlands - Gardens, Parks, Squares and Open Spaces

This world horticultural exhibition is held every ten years in the Netherlands. The 2002 edition is the fifth Floriade and its theme is "feel the art of nature." Although the primary emphasis is on Dutch horticulture, there are also exhibits from the Philippines, India, Brazil, Kenya, Columbia, Russia, Germany and Hungary.

Floriade only happens once every ten years. While it was a very nice garden show, I am glad that I did not make a special trip just for this event. It was a mixed bag of horticulture and tourism promotion. Many of the international areas had little if anything to do with the horticulture of those areas and seemed mostly devoted to selling handicrafts and souvenirs. So, it was a nice visit along with Keukenhof, Aalsmeer and other gardens but would have been a disappointment by itself.