Queen Mathilde of Belgium names azalea at opening of Floraliën Ghent 2026

King Filip and Queen Mathilde of Belgium officially opened Floraliën Ghent 2026, the flower and plant show running from 1 to 10 May in the Belgian city of Ghent.

To mark the occasion, Queen Mathilde has lent her name to a new, exclusive Ghent azalea. The variety was officially presented to the public at the opening ceremony. It was developed by Drieghe Azalea, a specialist azalea nursery based in Lochristi, Belgium.

“We made a new cross in 2006. Within that cross, a spontaneous mutation occurred in 2009, producing the variegated colouring that you could never achieve through crossing alone,” explains Jeroen Drieghe. The mutation was subsequently propagated and selected on criteria including rooting performance, absence of leaf drop, and colour stability.

Floraliën Ghent was first held in 1809. More than two centuries on, the event continues to bring people together around flowers and plants, and serves as a flagship showcase for the Flemish ornamental horticulture sector. The theme of the 2026 edition is connection, between people and nature, between science and the economy, and between tradition and the future.