As you tiptoe through the tulips, imagine the conditions of nature that must act in concert to make the blossoms of 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 Tulip Antarctica and Tulip Apropos. Exotic sounding varieties such as Tulipa Black Parrot, Violetta Tiny Tots Blueberry Banana and Tulipa Super Parrot and Pansy Pussy Cat Purple bloom together to create sweeping designs of colour throughout the park.

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

How many flowers?
Over 1 million bulbs and annuals are planted each year, depending on the garden bed design. 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, ranunculus and English daisies.

How are the garden beds 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.

Floriade facts & figures 2011

Total garden bed area

• The Floriade garden beds span 8763 square metres

Total quantity of growing media

• Bulb Mix 1,560 cubic metresAnnual Mix 1,400 cubic metres

Total drainage

• 4,800 square metres

Type and number of bulbs, annuals and other plant varieties

Persuading more than one million bulbs and annuals to bloom on cue is a big task that takes careful timing.

Like a conductor leading an orchestra, the expert events team at Australian Capital Tourism is responsible for ensuring every flower unfurls at the right time to become part of Floriade’s famous kaleidoscope of colours.

Floriade planning timeline

May 2010

• Work started on the design for Floriade 2011 A feast for the senses even before the Floriade 2010 Imagination theme had launched. Planning included mapping out the theme, which plants to use and the important planting timeline.

February - April 2011

• Master plan goes to the gardening team, who mark out the garden beds in Commonwealth Park with tape measures and paint. This is when important infrastructure that will support plants through the festival is installed, including soil requirements, irrigation and drainage.
• Paths are created to guide visitors through the garden beds. The overall design of Commonwealth Park begins to take shape.

April to June 2011

• Some 1500 cubic metres of top quality planting compost from Martins Fertilizers is moved in and spread to a depth of 15cm.
• This soil is tested for salt, pH and nutrient levels to ensure it is the best food for the plants; and will have maximum water and nutrition retention.
• Next the planting begins. Being careful to select bulbs of the right variety and colour, gardeners place each bulb on top of the planting compost in the set design, wedging it slightly to stay in place when a 20cm layer of compost from Martins Fertilizers is added.
• After levelling and remarking of the design, the annuals are then planted.
• Teams spread out over four hectares, starting from opposite ends of the park to plant. It takes almost seven weeks, until the two teams of 10 gardeners meet in the middle.
• Bulbs start shooting in July and grow steadily until they are ready to flower in spring.
• The expert garden teams can vary the timing of bulbs emerging and flowering by changing the depth of planting.

August 2011

• By August bulbs and annuals are all reaching maturity ready to reveal their colours.At this stage finishing touches are added like props and ornaments, in preparation for the big festival launch.

September to October 2011

• During Floriade even when it is open to the public the gardening team works around the clock to keep the blooms in top shape.
• Gardeners remove dead flower heads, reshape trodden garden beds, clear litter, rake paths and give the plants a regular watering.
• Vital conditions like salt, pH and nutrient levels in the compost are monitored throughout the festival to ensure healthy bulbs and prolific flowering.
• Slow release and foliar fertilisers are applied when necessary to give the bulbs a little boost.
• When Floriade closes, the remaining flowers are cut and distributed to local nursing homes and hospitals, giving even more people a chance to enjoy their vibrant colour and scent.

October to December 2011

• The clean-up crew removes spent annuals, bulbs and soil, levels the garden beds back to ground level.
• The soil is ripped and hoed before new turf is laid, leaving it in tiptop condition for next year’s event.
• By the end of the year, Commonwealth Park is returned to its regular state as a favourite spot for summer fun, other festivals and celebrations including Canberra Day, outdoor concerts and local events.