World's largest carpet of flowers in Brussels

November 01, 2010

Since 1917, artists and flower enthusiasts have gathered in Brussels to create the world's largest carpet of flowers. Known as the Tapis de Fleurs, the beautiful design consists of a million begonia flowers across a space of 300 square meters.

The very first Tapis de Fleurs was created as a way to promote begonias. Now, twice every year, the flowers are laid in the main courtyard of the Grand Palace for three days and four nights at a time.

For a small fee, guests can visit the flowers and take in the complex design and vibrant hues. For a birds-eye view, guests can peer down from the balcony of the first floor of town hall.

Each year presents a different theme for the flowers - this time around, it's inspired by a medieval carpet design in honor of the Blegium Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Previous themes have included the works of Mozart and the Liberation of Brussels.

Artists chose begonias because they present such a wealth of color and are resistant to bad weather and warm temperatures. The fresh flowers are also known for their long lifespan, meaning they will stay colorful and bright throughout the exhibit.

The process of laying the flowers is complex. Volunteers first lay a large sheet of plastic carved with the design across the area. Then spaces in between the holes are filled with turf.

Next, the flowers, which have been pre-grown by horticulturists across Belgium, are packed together tightly on the plastic, directly onto the stone of the courtyard.

The carpet is created by the combined works of 100 different craftsmen and 1,000 volunteers who donate months out of the year to create the design. However, once the outline is complete, it takes a little more than four hours to put the flowers in place.

According to GardenGuides.com, there are more than 1,500 different species of begonias, which range in color from pink to gray to vibrant reds and yellows. The plants can grow anywhere from 8 inches to 2 feet tall.

The flowers thrive best in the shade, making them the perfect addition to a bouquet. They are easy to care for and can add a burst of color to any bouquet.

This article is brought to you by Teleflora - a leader in the flower delivery service for over 75 years. Teleflora helps its customers buy flowers online and specializes in bringing the freshest available flowers for a variety of holidays and occasions - all hand-delivered in keepsake vases by the best local florists.

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