Queen Mathilde is naming a new azalea variety after herself during the Floralies flower show in Ghent. It has taken more than 10 years to breed the flower. The azalea is white and pink and will be the star attraction of this year’s Floraliën. The exhibition takes place every four years. The previous edition amid Covid restrictions attracted 75,000 visitors.
On 30 April, King Filip and Queen Mathilde will open the Floraliën flower show in Ghent with due pomp and circumstance, and with a new Ghentian azalea variety named after the Queen. Mathilde will then officially name the flower. From Friday, when the show opens its doors to the general public, the azalea is set to be the star attraction of this edition.
“Behind a single plant lies a process of selection, cross-breeding and expertise spanning more than 10 years,” the organisers say. “The new variety, with its striking white-pink blooms and refined shades, is the result of intensive breeding.” The family business Drieghe Azalea, based in Lochristi (East Flanders), developed the new flower variety.
The azalea is a staple at the flower exhibition. It is a regional product for which flower growers from the wider Ghent region are renowned worldwide. According to the organisers, the new Mathilde azalea symbolises craftsmanship, beauty and international appeal. This new flower illustrates how the sector also aims to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to innovation.
The Floralies take place from 1 to 10 May. This flower show has been held every four years since 1808 and showcases the horticultural sector, with a particular focus on produce from the Ghent region. The previous edition, in 2022, attracted 75,000 visitors. The exhibition takes place in Citadel Park.