Brussels once again burst into color with the return of FlowerTime 2025. The Belgian capital and heart of the European Union embraced its biennial celebration of flowers, scents, and design. But this year, instead of a vast carpet covering the cobblestones of the Grand Place, the blooms were moved indoors, filling the salons of the city’s Gothic Town Hall.
The familiar flower carpet found a new life inside the centuries-old building. Stone walls softened under cascades of petals, while quiet government chambers turned into colorful art spaces. It was the same beloved tradition, but in a more intimate setting.
Europe’s summer heatwave brought its own challenge. Thousands of fresh flowers needed careful tending to survive five days of display. For many artists, keeping the blooms alive was as demanding as designing the installations themselves.
Fashion Meets Flowers
The seventh edition took its theme from Brussels’ heritage in textiles and lace. Thirty floral artists were invited, each transforming one of 15 Town Hall rooms into a unique creation. Spaces usually closed to the public—like the Mayor’s office, the council chamber, and even the wedding hall—opened up for visitors, blending civic history with floral artistry.
One of the most striking works came from Damien Overputte, who recreated Brussels lace with thread and flowers. More than 5,238 kilometers of thread stretched across the hall, forming woven patterns suspended like floating fabric. Rare tropical orchids—including one of the world’s largest and rarest species—were added as highlights.
“The theme this year is fashion and textile, and we were inspired by traditional Brussels lace,” Overputte explained. “We created a pattern of thread across the room, just like the bobbins used long ago. Tropical flowers are our version of haute couture—rare, exotic, exceptional. This is floral fashion at its finest.”
A Delicate Wedding Hall
In the wedding hall, florist Max Hurtaud faced tougher conditions. With sunlight streaming from both sides and summer heat rising, the blooms needed constant care.
“This year’s exhibition runs for five days, from Wednesday to Sunday,” Hurtaud said. “With the sun constantly shifting from one side of the room to the other, we have to be extremely careful. We check the water pipettes daily to make sure everything stays hydrated and fresh. It’s part of the florist’s job—we adapt, we respond, and we make sure the flowers stay alive until the very last visitor leaves.”
Despite the heat, Hurtaud created a romantic floral design, blending the wedding theme with the event’s focus on textiles.
100,000 Flowers, 15 Rooms
In total, more than 100,000 flowers were used. Petals flowed like silk gowns, vines resembled veils, and some displays mirrored embroidery or delicate fabric. The event was organized by the Tapis de Fleurs de Bruxelles Foundation, which also creates the city’s famous Flower Carpet. Since 2020, their work has been officially recognized as part of Brussels’ cultural heritage.
When the doors opened, crowds gathered to wander room by room through the floral displays. Some took photos, some stood in silence, and others whispered in awe. All left with the same feeling—wonder.
Looking to 2026
FlowerTime 2025 once again proved Brussels’ unique way of blending nature and culture. Next August, the tradition will move outdoors again, when the famous Flower Carpet returns to cover the Grand Place.
Until then, the memory of FlowerTime will linger—because in Brussels, art doesn’t just hang on walls. Sometimes, it blooms behind palace doors.