The stamps will feature images of Siertabak (Nicotiana alata, known in English as Jasmine tobacco) and Prikneus (Silene coronaria). The seeds given away are the latter, a member of the carnation family also known in English as Dusty Miller or Bloody William.
“The idea to spread seeds with stamps came from the Post Office,” said Floraliën director Paul Vandenbosch. “It goes without saying we went for it right away.”
The stamps come in sheets of 10 – five of each plant – with the seeds encased at the bottom left-hand corner. The choice of seed depended on one main factor: the ability of the seed to go through the whole printing process, followed by a trip through the mail attached to an envelope or package.
Floraliën took advice from seed experts, and Prikneus (pictured) came out the winner. Four million seeds were delivered, to be attached to 400,000 sheets of stamps. Each seed is held in place by a specially-developed gel which will not react with the seed.
Floraliën runs from 17 to 25 April at Flanders Expo in Ghent.
Your opinion matters!
Did you already fill out our satisfaction survey?
Flanders Today is a 
