What to Expect if You're Heading to Australia's Best Garden Show
The annual Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is on from 29 March-2 April. Here's what you'll be treated to
This year’s Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) is set to be a five-day green thumb’s dream. Held at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens from 29 March to 2 April, this year the focus is on emerging lifestyle trends, spectacular floral installations and interactive workshops, as well as expert advice from industry professionals.
Floral displays
There are all manner of striking installations in the Great Hall of Flowers, where visitors can see artistic floristry at its best. For those wanting to bring a flourish of colour to their homes, the retail flower market is a must. Here, visitors can meet Australian growers face to face, learn about where their favourite blooms come from and leave with a show memento. It is also an opportunity to discover new and unusual flowers, such as double lavender stalks and Sunny Hill’s show-stopping triple bloom Roselily.
There are all manner of striking installations in the Great Hall of Flowers, where visitors can see artistic floristry at its best. For those wanting to bring a flourish of colour to their homes, the retail flower market is a must. Here, visitors can meet Australian growers face to face, learn about where their favourite blooms come from and leave with a show memento. It is also an opportunity to discover new and unusual flowers, such as double lavender stalks and Sunny Hill’s show-stopping triple bloom Roselily.
Floral design workshops
A chance to get your hands dirty and flex those green thumbs, the floral design workshops are a series of masterclasses for anyone wanting tips from the best in the industry. The classes cover everything from creating fresh flower rings and DIY hanging string succulent gardens, to producing the perfect posy. Located inside the Royal Exhibition Building, tickets to these masterclasses are strictly limited, with bookings available through the website.
A chance to get your hands dirty and flex those green thumbs, the floral design workshops are a series of masterclasses for anyone wanting tips from the best in the industry. The classes cover everything from creating fresh flower rings and DIY hanging string succulent gardens, to producing the perfect posy. Located inside the Royal Exhibition Building, tickets to these masterclasses are strictly limited, with bookings available through the website.
Photo by Jason Edwards
Gardens by twilight
For one night only, the show is open until 9:30pm, when visitors can explore the gardens and immersive show features under a different light. Night visitors on Friday, 31 March can soak in the dusky surrounds with a glass of bubbles and some gourmet treats.
Gardens by twilight
For one night only, the show is open until 9:30pm, when visitors can explore the gardens and immersive show features under a different light. Night visitors on Friday, 31 March can soak in the dusky surrounds with a glass of bubbles and some gourmet treats.
The Diggers Club
Reports have shown Australia has driven record growth in the organic-food industry. A champion in its field, The Diggers Club is a plant-conservation group creating an artful, edible garden arena at this year’s show. This is the ideal space to learn about the latest organic trends and to discover vegetable and plant varieties not found in your local supermarket.
Reports have shown Australia has driven record growth in the organic-food industry. A champion in its field, The Diggers Club is a plant-conservation group creating an artful, edible garden arena at this year’s show. This is the ideal space to learn about the latest organic trends and to discover vegetable and plant varieties not found in your local supermarket.
Landscaping Victoria boutique gardens competition
The age-old adage ‘Good things come in small packages’ has never been truer than at the boutique gardens. These intimate, 5 x 5-metre gardens show that space does not have to limit creativity when it comes to all things green. Here, visitors can see the boundary-pushing works of five finalist landscape designers vying for the coveted winning title.
Project by inovasis design
The age-old adage ‘Good things come in small packages’ has never been truer than at the boutique gardens. These intimate, 5 x 5-metre gardens show that space does not have to limit creativity when it comes to all things green. Here, visitors can see the boundary-pushing works of five finalist landscape designers vying for the coveted winning title.
Project by inovasis design
Kids Under Cover cubby house challenge
Cubby houses have stepped up their design in recent years, and this year MIFGS is again hosting the Cubby House Challenge, an annual auction of spectacular cubby houses created by leading Australian design and architecture firms. The 2017 line-up includes a 3D-printed playhouse, the completely spherical ‘Glowb’ design (complete with hammocks and a dedicated star-gazing space) and a replica of Rapunzel’s tower.
Coordinated by Kids Under Cover, all proceeds from the auction go to the charity’s youth homelessness prevention programs, as well as showcasing some amazing cubby house inspiration.
Cubby houses have stepped up their design in recent years, and this year MIFGS is again hosting the Cubby House Challenge, an annual auction of spectacular cubby houses created by leading Australian design and architecture firms. The 2017 line-up includes a 3D-printed playhouse, the completely spherical ‘Glowb’ design (complete with hammocks and a dedicated star-gazing space) and a replica of Rapunzel’s tower.
Coordinated by Kids Under Cover, all proceeds from the auction go to the charity’s youth homelessness prevention programs, as well as showcasing some amazing cubby house inspiration.
Landscaping Victoria’s Landscape Advisory Centre
When it comes to landscaping our own gardens, many of us are left feeling overwhelmed by choice. For people seeking free-of-charge direction from accredited experts, the Landscape Advisory Centre is the place to be. Registrations are now open via the website, and it’s recommend you book now, as Landscaping Victoria’s professionals are in high demand.
When it comes to landscaping our own gardens, many of us are left feeling overwhelmed by choice. For people seeking free-of-charge direction from accredited experts, the Landscape Advisory Centre is the place to be. Registrations are now open via the website, and it’s recommend you book now, as Landscaping Victoria’s professionals are in high demand.
All photos are from last year’s show, with new gardens open to the public on Wednesday, 29 March. Additional writing by Tess Fisher.
Located in the Carlton Gardens, these conceptual spaces are a gardener’s dream. The show gardens are designed and built by the alumni of the landscaping industry, including double Chelsea Flower Show Silver-Gilt medallist and Selling Houses Australia co-host Charlie Albone. Each year one entry is awarded the coveted title of the Best in the Show for the Show Garden Design Awards.