It’s now less than a year away: Floriade 2012 – the world horticultural
expo to be held in Venlo, The Netherlands where products
from all horticultural product groups will be on display. After
planting thousands of trees,

shrubs and forest planting stock,
an enormous number of perennials has been planted in the
basic park. At this point, the five zones now contain a total of
170,000 perennials with each zone accommodating special
varieties that contribute to its own design theme.

The ‘Green Engine’ zone will display the power of nature. Surrounded by
coniferous trees, this zone will contain large conifers, birches and a range
of shrubs. Pioneer plants such as Solidago ceasia, Verbascum olympicum
and Oenothera fruticosa ‘Sonnenwende’ used as the lowest-growing
vegetation will be allowed to colonise this site.
The zone known as ‘Relax & Heal’ will be devoted to human health and
well-being. The plants chosen here have made major contributions to
the field of medicine. Perennials chosen as the basic planting material
for this pleasant site will feature fragrance and flowers. Another factor in
the choice of these plants is the siting of the zone. To the south of it is
a shaded wood with moist soil; to the north, however, is a very sunny,
dry area. The southern area will thus be planted with varieties such as
Alchemilla mollis, Heuchera sanguinea ‘Alba’ and Euphorbia ‘Charam’,
whilst the northern side will include drought-tolerant and sometimes
spiny varieties such as Eryngium planum, Kniphofia ‘Percy’s Pride’ and
Salvia officinalis ‘Berggarten’.

Long sightlines, classic design and steep slopes dominate the ‘Education
& Innovation’ zone. Open grassy slopes have been planted with perennials
and grasses to create the look of wildflower meadows. Each slope will
have its own accent colour. Plant varieties will include Rudbeckia fulgida
deamii, Kalimeris incise ‘Blue Star’ and Lathyrus vernus ‘Alboroseus’
combined with Stipa gigantea, Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’, etc.
‘Environment’ is a zone dedicated to high quality urban planting concepts.
Many of the perennials used here can be found in urban gardens.
Examples will include Sedum ’Herbstfreude’, Persicaria amplexicaulis
‘Speciosa’ and Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’.
The last zone, ‘World Show Stage’, will be very colourful and lavish:
a place where all the cultures of the world come together. Roses, bulbs,
climbing plants and container plants will provide most of the bright
colour whilst perennials such as Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’,
Viola labradorica and Origanum ‘Kent’ will act as a backdrop in the
form of a more subtle carpet along the boulevard.