Forget the icy winter ... warm up at Kew’s tropical extravaganza

The city may be in the grip of the worst winter weather for 18 years but there is a tropical oasis to which Londoners can escape.

While the ground outside was covered in snow and ice, a greenhouse at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew has been filled with vibrant orchids and jungle plants.

The Tropical Extravaganza exhibition, which starts on Saturday, celebrates the 250th anniversary of the gardens.

The Princess of Wales Conservatory is full of exotic vegetation, including orchids, bromeliads, anthuriums, and nepenthes.

Opened in 1987 by Princess Diana, the conservatory has 10 climate zones, with some perfectly suited to orchids. Bright swathes of the delicate flowers weave through the conservatory "like ribbons around a gift", according to the show's organisers. The conservatory's columns are covered in hundreds of blooms with archways of pitcher plants, which survive by eating insects such as ants and cockroaches — and the larger specimens devour mice and small rats.

Other highlights include the Kew Orchid, a plant that is licensed to the gardens and known as the "fancy fiasco".

The orchid family has about 30,000 species and more than 70,000 hybrids — the largest family of flowering plants. Hundreds more are discovered each year and many on display have been chosen for the attractiveness of their blooms.

Other displays are in the Waterlily House, while in the Nash conservatory a British Council exhibition explores the life and work of Charles Darwin, in the 200th year since his birth.

The exhibition sheds light on contemporary reactions to Darwin's theories of evolution, and how advances in geology and economics influenced his thinking. Phil Griffiths, head of displays in the glasshouses, said: "As it's our 250th year we have pulled out all the stops to make the Tropical Extravaganza truly spectacular. Visitors will find a vibrant, colourful oasis guaranteed to chase away the winter blues."

Visitors can go behind the scenes by joining a tropical nursery tour, or join a "hands-on session" to find out more about scientific and conservation work with orchids. There will be activities for children.

There will also be a series of five summer swing concerts. Tickets available from 23 February.
The festival runs until 8 March.