Facts & figures
As you tiptoe through the tulips, pause to think about the forces of nature that must act in harmony to make Floriade a reality. The weather in Canberra is wonderfully seasonal and is often unpredictable, year to year, so bulb varieties, plant species, soil types and planting methods are continuously tested with the aim of ensuring all of the million-plus flowers bloom beautifully to the desired schedule.
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.
What is Floriade?
Floriade is Australia’s annual celebration of spring – a flower festival with more than a million flowers that bloom on cue for four weeks in September and October each year..
To complement the spectacular flower display, Floriade presents an exciting entertainment program with visiting and local performers, children’s activities, workshops, exhibitions, showcase gardens, food, wine and shopping.
It all began in 1986 when two members of the ACT Parks and Conservation Service envisioned a floral display for the celebration of the 1988 bicentenary and Canberra's 75th birthday. Their inspiration was the annual Dutch Keukenhof flower display and Holland’s Floriade which happens every 10 years
Over the years Floriade has evolved to become Canberra’s flagship event, the largest of its kind in the Southern hemisphere. 2008 will represent the 21st anniversary for Floriade.
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 out from each year. In May, the designers are briefed on the event theme to facilitate the development of draft designs.
Floriade facts & figures 2008
Bed area
- The Floriade garden beds span 10,668 square metres
Quantity of growing media
- 3,556 cubic metres of mix, which equates to 3,556 box trailers
Drainage pipe
- 5,600 lineal metres of agricultural pipe and PVC
Area of pathway
- 4550 square metres of granite pathway
Commence marking out of design
- 18 February 2008
Date first bulb planted
- 7 April 2008
Completion of planting
- 9 May 2008
Bulbs
| Hyacinths | 11 varieties |
| Tulips | 75 varieties |
| Dutch Iris | 8 varieties |
| Muscari | 2 varieties |
| Scilla | 1 variety |
| Tritelia | 1 variety |
| Narcissus | 14 varieties |
| Rannunculus | 6 varieties |
Annuals
| Bellis (English Daisy) | 4 varieties |
| Chrysanthemum paludosum | 1 variety |
| Viola | 18 varieties |
| Pansy | 44 varieties |
| Violetta's | 5 varieties |
| Polyanthus | 10 varieties |
| Poppies | 4 varieties |
| Primula | 8 varieties |
Other plants
| Kale | 2 varieties |
| Lomandra | 1 variety |
| Banksia Serrata | 1 variety |
| Magnolia | 1 variety |
| Mixed Eucalyptus | 1 variety |
| Waratahs | 1 variety |
| Poas | 1 variety |
| Lone Pine | 1 variety |
