Spring in Canberra’s garden
29 Sep 2017
Heading to Canberra to admire the beautiful blooms of Floriade? Don’t miss these other glorious displays while you’re there.
More tulips
Bill Rhodin laughs at the suggestion he uses a computer to design the dazzling spring show at Tulip Top, just north of Canberra. He doesn’t even use old-fashioned paper and pencil, instead relying on his memory of the colours and habits of the half a million tulips he plants each year with help from Pat and the rest of the family. The tulips are complemented by thousands of annuals and blossom trees that last for one glorious month. Pack a picnic, or indulge in the Dutch pancakes and coffee that are on offer.
A blossoming display
Cherry blossom season in Japan draws visitors from all over the world, and Canberra offers its own version at the Canberra Nara Peace Park. At the traditional wooden gate entrance, a winding path leads visitors along a dry riverbed and iris-fringed pool, through groves of cherries and maples. Take a seat in the pavilion to admire the falling blossom, then head to the water’s edge where a simple bench seat is framed by mature pines. The garden celebrates the relationship between the ancient Japanese capital Nara and our own capital city.
Miniature delights
The Australian Collection of Bonsai and Penjing is housed in an open-air gallery at the National Arboretum. There are around 80 works from Australia’s leading bonsai and penjing artists on display at any one time, and volunteers from the local bonsai societies are always on hand to answer questions. While at the Arboretum, check out the Gallery of Gardens, where four new display gardens opened in April, and take in the brilliant views of the lake from the visitor centre. This award-winning piece of architecture is a great spot for morning tea or a snack on weekdays, but gets packed on weekends. The shop here is also terrific, with lots of hand-crafted wares and interesting books.
Masses of roses
In 2004, the rose gardens that had once thrived on either side of Old Parliament House were relaunched with new pavilions, pergolas, seats and a layout that honours the rose garden origins. There are hybrid teas and floribunda roses in the Ladies Rose Garden, china, tea and noisettes in the Macarthur Rose Garden, shrub roses in the Broinowski Rose Garden, and a history of the rose through its Asian and European developments planted in the Hazlewood Rose garden. You’ll also find a good collection of blooms developed by Australia’s pre-eminent rose breeder Alister Clark. Volunteers work in the garden during the week and are up for a chat, and if you’re lucky your visit will coincide with one of the monthly walking tours of the gardens.
Australia’s biggest celebration of spring blooms in Canberra from Saturday 16 September to Sunday 15 October, with free entry during the day and ticketed events after dark. A team of 20 gardeners will have worked for seven weeks planting the million-plus bulbs and annuals that make up the brilliant show. The event is held at Commonwealth Park, a five-minute walk from Canberra’s city centre.
For more info visit: floriadeaustralia.com
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