Queen Mathilde to receive her own Ghent azalea at Floraliën
Queen Mathilde will receive her own Ghent azalea at the Ghent Floraliën 2026. On Thursday, the monarch will officially lend her name to a new exclusive variety, presenting it to the general public for the first time. A day earlier, she and King Philippe will open the exhibition.
The new azalea was developed by Drieghe Azalea from Lochristi, a family business specialising in the breeding of Ghent azaleas.
“Behind a single plant lies a process of selection, crossbreeding, and expertise spanning more than 10 years,” the organisers said in a press release. The variety stands out for its white-pink bloom and refined colour variations.
With the naming, one of the most recognisable export products of the Flemish floriculture sector receives symbolic recognition. The Ghent azalea has long served as a flagship of the industry and is closely tied to the Floraliën, which has been held in Ghent since 1808. The new “Mathilde” azalea is set to become the flagship variety of this edition.
Floraliën Ghent is an international plant and flower festival, held every four years, during which the city is dedicated to floral creativity and connection. For ten days, iconic locations including the Floraliënhal, ’t Kuipke and the Botanical Garden in the Arts Quarter–Citadel Park provide the backdrop for large-scale floral displays. Leading national and international florists, ornamental growers, landscape architects and artists present their work throughout the event.
The Floraliën will run from 1 to 10 May in Citadel Park and the wider Ghent Arts Quarter. The previous edition in 2022 attracted around 75,000 visitors.
#FlandersNewsService | Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe during a royal visit to the opening of the Floralien Ghent 2022 flower show © PHOTO BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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