12 March 2010

Facts and figures

 

As you tiptoe through the tulips, pause to think about the forces of nature that must act in harmony to make Floriade a success.

The weather in Canberra is wonderfully seasonal and is often unpredictable, so bulb varieties, plant species, soil types and planting methods are continuously tested with the aim of ensuring that all of the million-plus flowers bloom beautifully on cue.

Enjoy new types of blooms every year as Floriade showcases exciting new bulb varieties. Exotic sounding varieties such as Tulipa Black Diamond, Violetta Tiny Tots Blueberry Banana and Tulipa Top Parrot bloom together to create sweeping designs of colour throughout the park.

The meaning behind the name

The name, Floriade, comes from the Latin word floriat, which means to design with flowers.

How many flowers?

Over 1 million bulbs and annuals are used each year, depending on the design. The bulbs and annuals are planted in autumn each year. Different flowers bloom at different times but there’s always great colour throughout the event. It is constantly changing as the different plants come into flower, so visit a few times if you can.

What sort of flowers?

A mix of flowers, predominantly bulbs create the kaleidoscope of colours that set the backdrop to Floriade. Some of the blooms include tulips, irises, daffodils, hyacinths, violas, chrysanthemums, ranunculas and daisies.

How is it designed?

The garden bed design at Floriade is different every year. A theme is developed and is carried through from the shape of the garden beds to the type and colour of the flowers used to create the meticulous designs. The garden beds are designed by a local consortium LANDSCAPEalign, comprising of three Canberra companies who come together each year with their specialist skills to create the unique designs. The design process commences 18 months before the event begins. In May, the designers are briefed on the event theme to facilitate the development of draft designs.

 

 

Floriade facts & figures 2009

Total garden bed area

• The Floriade garden beds span 9,105 square metres

Total quantity of growing media

• Bulb Mix 1,965 cubic metres
• Annual Mix 1,730 cubic metres

Total drainage

• 4,800 square metres

Type and number of bulbs, annuals and other plant varieties

Hyacinths	13 varieties
Tulips	87 varieties
Irises	9 varieties
Muscari	2 varieties
Scilla (blue bells)	1 variety
Tritelia	1 variety
Narcissus	14 varieties
Ranunculus	5 varieties

Bellis (English Daisy)	4 varieties
Chrysanthemum paludosum	1 variety
Viola	21 varieties
Pansies	45 varieties
Violetta	4 varieties
Polyanthus	8 varieties
Poppies	2 varieties