Kew Gardens' much-loved Orchid festival will be returning for 2024, taking over the Princess of Wales Conservatory from Saturday 3 February - Sunday 3 March.

Kew's 28th Orchid Festival draws inspiration from the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island and home to Kew's third research site.

Madagascar's lush rainforests, tropical dry forests and over 3,000 miles of coastline will be reflected in an extravaganza of themed floral displays and living installations, created by Kew's team of horticulturists to transform the Princess of Wales Conservatory into a colourful celebration which never fails to brighten up the winter months.

A newly commissioned film showcasing the spectacular beauty of Madagascar will also be screened as part of the festival, promising to transport visitors to this unique environment.

Alongside this, a bespoke soundscape will fill the Princess of Wales Conservatory with the sounds of Madagascar, evoking the ambience of this incredible island using material recorded firsthand.

Across the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens, a series of stunning horticultural displays will celebrate the unique biodiversity of Madagascar as part of the Orchid festival.

One of the most iconic symbols of the island, the Lovers Baobab, will be recreated in a breathtaking display on the waterlily pond.

Baobabs in western Madagascar form a vital part of the dry deciduous forests, playing an essential role in this unique ecosystem; notably promoting nutrient recycling and preventing soil erosion, as well as providing a vital source of food, water and shelter for an array of animal life.

Alongside this striking central installation, visitors will encounter floral sculptures recreating some of Madagascar's most iconic wildlife, including ring-tailed lemurs, chameleons and the enigmatic aye-aye, the world's largest nocturnal primate.

Visitors will also be able to see a small selection of Madagascan orchids on display as part of the festival, including Angraecum sesquipedale.

Also known as Darwin's orchid, this beautiful white star-shaped plant features a nectary around 30cm long.

Darwin hypothesised that such a flower could only be pollinated by a creature with a similarly long tongue, that had evolved alongside the flower.

Throughout the Princess of Wales Conservatory, a mixtape of Malagasy music composed by the Boriza Borothers will bring the festival to life.

Visitors will also be able to purchase festival food which celebrates the tastes and flavours of authentic Malagasy recipes, with a menu curated by Malagasy chef Lilia Andrianovy of Lilia's Kitchen.

As well as this, visitors to the Orchid festival will also be able to enjoy a mini photographic exhibition in the Princess of Wales Conservatory by Malagasy photographer Tina Waibel.

Tina's images capture the daily lives of the people she meets, and the images which will be on display showcase the beauty of these everyday moments in rural Madagascar.

In the Arid Zone of the glasshouse, visitors will encounter a replica field camp, demonstrating the tools and techniques which Kew scientists and Malagasy partners use as part of their vital research away from a research centre or laboratory.

Particularly focused on the field work which is taking place to document and record the grasses and savannas of Madagascar, this unique display will allow visitors to the Orchid festival a unique opportunity to engage with how research is conducted, and the vital role field work plays in many of RBG Kew's ongoing global conservation partnerships.

Orchids After Hours will also be returning for 2024, offering exclusive access to the Princess of Wales Conservatory after dark.

As well as enjoying the opportunity to see the spectacular horticultural installations by night, these special events will feature music from exuberant Malagasy band, the Boriza Brothers, live performances from artist, singer/songwriter and performer Rasoanaivo Hanitrarivo and poet and illustrator Vaonarivo Brown, as well as talks and cooking demonstrations by Lilia's Kitchen.

Solène Dequiret, Supervisor of the Princess of Wales Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew says: "It's always rewarding for the team to plan, design and install the Orchid festival each year and for 2024 it's wonderful to be able to draw inspiration from the incredible plant and animal life of Madagascar- an ecosystem like nowhere else on Earth.

"Telling the story of this incredible island nation through horticultural displays will also allow us to shine a light on the critical efforts of the team based at Kew's Madagascar Conservation Centre, who work hard every day to conserve and protect the biodiversity of this unique environment."

Entry to the Orchids is included when purchasing a ticket to Kew Gardens.

Visitors must book separate timed entry slots for Orchids 2024.

Orchids After Hours events take place on 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 February from 6pm- 10pm (last entry 9pm). Tickets £17 adult/£12.50 members until 21 January 2024.