Canberra Floriade

The Canberra Floriade is a spring spectacular in the Nation’s capital that starts mid-September and runs through to the mid mid-October year. The images represent 2010. Living in Canberra for four years meant I saw some beautiful didsplays over that time. The name Floriade derives from the Latin word ‘floreat’ which means “may it flourish or bloom”.

Purple Iris

Canberra Floriade is the largest floral festival in the southern hemisphere and began in 1988 to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary and Canberra’s 75th birthday. Canberra Floriade takes place in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park alongside Lake Burley Griffin.

Over a million blooms are cultivated, creating a fantastic backdrop for this 30-day festival. Almost half a million people visit annually to enjoy the music, cultural celebrations, horticultural workshops, artistic displays, entertainment and recreational activities. If you have a family, there is plenty to keep occupied while you wander the flower-adorned paths of Canberra Floriade.

These days the Canberra Floriade NightFest activities continue in Commonwealth Park after dark. The evenings feature live music acts, well-known comedians, funky DJs, night markets and roving entertainment.

Floriade Street Organ

Planning and preparation of the one million plants begin in February and March. Twenty five gardeners work to mark the garden bed patterns and dig out all the pathways. The first bulbs are planted early April, starting in the coldest area of the park.  Plantings are complete by the end of May. You will often see Tulips, Daffodils, Dutch Iris, Grape Hyacinth, Tritelia, Pansies, Violas, English Daisies, Poppies and Chrysanthemums. The gardeners use parsley and kale to achieve contrasting colours, textures and green coverage across the beds.

Greater Canberra

The greater Canberra region has more to offer for food and wine lovers. Wineries are small enough to have an intimate cellar door experience and meet the winemakers. However they are large enough to find all the varieties of an excellent wine-growing area. You can check out the Canberra Floriade website for the theme each year and what is happening and see for yourself.