I Love Floriade!

Spring holds a special place in my heart, and it’s no secret that I’m a devoted admirer of the Floriade flower show in Canberra. As Australia’s grandest celebration of spring, Floriade has always been close to my heart. Having spent the majority of my life in Canberra, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the enchanting transitions between spring, summer, autumn, and winter – a truly magical experience for a passionate gardener like me. 

During the challenging days of the 2020 COVID lockdown, I decided to infuse my garden with life and planted a staggering five hundred ranunculus bulbs. Little did I know that this decision would yield ongoing joy for the past two years. Much like Floriade, my garden is now graced with a breathtaking bulb display, featuring the vibrant colours of ranunculus, daffodils, iris, freesia, and hyacinth. However, among these beauties, my absolute favourite has to be the delicate fairy bells, which were originally cultivated in my great-grandmother’s garden.

My garden is a delightful mix of botanical treasures, including native Australian species such as eucalyptus, grevillea, banksia, and correa. It’s an eclectic paradise where every day brings something new and exciting. From curious lizards to melodious magpies, lively galahs, majestic cockatoos, and graceful dragonflies, our garden is a stage for a diverse cast of fascinating creatures.

Speaking of unique garden additions, we have two timber benches that once graced the grounds of Floriade, which I acquired about fifteen years ago. What makes them truly special is the not-so-savoury graffiti carved into their arms – a source of scandalous amusement for my young children at the time. Over the years, as my family enjoyed these benches, the carvings began to wear away, almost erasing the stories they held. Now, these benches are nearing the end of their journey in our garden, preparing to embrace a new life as kindling in our fire pit. But that’s a tale for another season.