Going Places
Discover the magic of the gardens
‘Magic of the Gardens’ is the new theme adopted for this year’s St George Floriade. Now in its second decade, Canberra’s Floriade has been transforming the nation’s capital each spring since it was first introduced as a one-off bicentennial event in 1988.
Landscape designers from ACT Landscape have been busy converting the broad green canvas of Commonwealth Park into a glorious sea of colour. More than a million flowers will blanket the picturesque shore of Lake Burley Griffin – grand gardens brimming with tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, poppies, violas and other spring favourites.
Like a Dutch flower farm, row upon row of blooming bulbs (1.1 million in all at last count!) will burst forth in the Flower Fields Garden, with great sways of orange and yellow radiating like sunbeams.
Further towards the shoreline, Tulipmania takes hold with a stunning array of tulip varieties from the gentle pink Angelique to the velvety black Queen of the Night. Influenced by the art nouveau designs of Scottish artist and architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the patterned plantings in this garden will form a series of vasty stylised tulips, converting the fields of flowers into flowers within the fields.
Other themed gardens abound. Meander through The Fragrant Garden where sweetly scented blooms awaken the senses, or try the Gourmet Garden for a different aromatic experience. The Royal Bluebells Garden is a tribute to Canberra’s floral emblem, while the nation’s unique native flora will feature in the Australian Garden.
The 30-day floral extravaganza, from 18 September to 17 October, will be complemented by a festive programme of activities and entertainment. Spring is the ideal time to visit Canberra. The ‘garden city’ welcomes the season’s warm, sunny days with a myriad of exhibitions, tours, open days and special events. From the superbly manicured miniature garden of Cockington Green, to the grand courtyards of Parliament House, this is an opportunity to experience our national capital at its festive best.
Floriade facts
Dates: Saturday 18 September to Sunday 17 October 1999
Open: 9am to 6pm Sunday to Wednesday; 7.30am to 9pm Thursday to Saturday.
Theme: ‘Magic of the Gardens’
Location: St George Floriade is held in Commonwealth Park, five minutes walk from Canberra’s city centre.
Tickets: Available at all Ticketek outlets and at the gate. Adults $10; concession $5, adult season pass $15; concession season pass $10; groups (15 or more) $5; children 17 and under free.
For general information about the festival, phone the St George Floriade Hotline on 1800 020 141.
Back to Going Places archive page
Copyright © 2004 Telling Words Co. All rights reserved.
