Camellia exhibition in Cologne’s botanic gardens

The Flora botanic gardens in Cologne is home to one of the leading collections of camellias in Germany and is one of only two in the entire country to have been awarded the international title Camellia Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. More than 500 camellias from some 450 species and varieties can be seen here every year in the Orangery, Subtropical House and Camellia Forest.

Special Exhibition: Camellias, “Queen of the Winter Flowers”

Client: Flora and Botanical Garden of the City of Cologne

Year: 2026

Museums and exhibitions

Visitor Communication by facts and fiction

We are responsible for the visitor communication content and visuals for the special Königin der Winterblumen (Queen Of The Winter Flowers) exhibition that is held every year between January and April in the Orangery, Subtropical House and Camellia Forest. We created a didactic concept for the exhibition that combines plant knowledge, storytelling and visitor guidance – with the aim of making the scientific, aesthetic and garden history aspects of camellias accessible to a wide audience with straightforward, visually appealing information.

The German and English information panels provide details about the origin, history and botanic diversity of camellias and about their cultural significance. It also examines the special characteristics of the Cologne collection and the exceptional flowering power of camellias, even in the winter months. The exhibition design is deliberately low-key, melding in with the surroundings while remaining clearly visible and easy to read.

This content is supplemented by specially created exhibits, which serve as distinctive anchor points throughout the tour. As well as illustrating the diversity of camellias and how they are cultivated and cared for, this content brings historical and cultural references to the fore – from garden history to the influence that camellias have on art and culture. Visual elements, like for example the different flower shapes and haptic and acoustic elements – such as an excerpt from La Traviata – add a sensory level to the whole experience.

A web-based media guide, which visitors can call up on their own smartphones via a QR code, offers an optional level of detail with additional information, visuals and a selection of often anecdotal audio clips by gardeners and camellia experts. In this way, visitors have the option of delving deeper during the tour – without disturbing the calm of the exhibition.