Floriade 2012: world horticulture festival – in pictures

A field of flowers at Floriade in Venlo, the Netherlands, where the sixth edition of the festival has opened Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

A close-up of orchids. The event falls once every decade, with more than two million visitors expected over a six-month period Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

In all, 1.8m bulbs have been planted across the exposition's 44-hectare (108-acre) grounds, complementing 190,000 perennial flowering plants, 18,000 shrubs, 15,000 hedge plants and 3,000 trees Photograph: Paul Raats/EPA

Close-up of a tulip patch Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

Queen Beatrix arrives to open the festival Photograph: Robin Utrecht/AFP/Getty Images

The Dutch agriculture pavilion. More than 100 participants, often countries or regions, have set up displays showing off some of their best-known foliage and the latest national trends in plant care and display Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

Daffodils in bloom in front of a building Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

The Indonesian contribution, featuring architecture from Bali, Java and Sumatra Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

A close-up showing some of the striking colours on display Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

The Spanish pavilion, constructed predominantly from waste materials, showcases horticulture from 10 different regions of the country using a multisensory display and even local dishes Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

A horticulture-themed artwork Photograph: ERMINDO ARMINO/AP

Children are seen helping park staff fry vegetables at the 'house of taste', a building containing interactive displays Photograph: Toby Sterling/AP

A close-up from the Indonesian section Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

A Buddha statue in the Indonesian area. Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

A blossoming tree Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

Floriade's 'innovation tower', with passing gondolas Photograph: Ermindo Armino/AP

A row of Floriade-branded bikes, used by organisers to get around the site quickly Photograph: Toby Sterling/AP