The first Brussels’ Flower Carpet, as it is formed today, was created in 1971 and since 1986 has been created in the city’s Grand-Place every other year. The carpets’ main component is begonias, a native of the West Indies and chosen for their robust nature and vivid colours. Belgium cultivates 60 million begonia tubers every year, and is recognised as the world’s largest producer. The planning of each carpet begins a year in advance and is finally put together by a hundred experienced gardeners in under four hours. This year’s design will go on show at the opening night on 14 August 2012 and will be on display for 5 days.
2012 Brussels’ Flower Carpet design. Copyright Marc Schautteet
The 2010 Brussels’ Flower Carpet in progress
The 2012 Brussels’ Flower Carpet
