Gardeners facing a happy dilemma
Spoilt for horticultural choice during Carnival of Flowers
THIS time next week will see our 68th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers celebrations in full swing. Many locals, and visitors to our region, will no doubt visit the Ergon Energy Food and Wine Festival in Queens Park, running from Friday, September 15 to Sunday, September 17.
Horticulturists will be keen to catch guest ABC television’s Gardening Australia personality, Sophie Thomson, at The Greenhouse for her presentations and garden talks, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival. Sophie is a passionate advocate for the physical and mental benefits of gardening, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed by her passion and drive for this wonderful pursuit.
Speaking of all things gardening, why don’t we take a look at some of the other horticultural attractions and displays that may interest gardeners over the 10 days of the Carnival of Flowers?
Of course, the main attraction will be the magnificent garden entrants in The Chronicle Garden Competition. All gardens are timed to be at their peak during Carnival week (Friday, September 15 to Sunday, September 24, 9am-5pm), and I’d recommend that you not only visit the dazzling city entrants, but also the good number of country gardens in this year’s competition. Winners will be announced at the competition awards night on Wednesday, September 13, with a comprehensive map of all entrants and prizewinners in Friday’s Chronicle (September 15).
I’d also recommend shelling out a measly $12 to visit the five magnificent Chronicle Exhibition Gardens in and around Toowoomba over the week. All entry fees will go to five selected charities, with more than $500,000 collected and distributed since its inception in 1973. These gardens are some of our region’s best, and all visitors will pick up great planting and design ideas from each unique property.
Our Toowoomba Region council gardeners have also been hard at work over the last half a year, readying our local parks and public spaces for carnival week as well. You simply must visit the incredible floral displays at our two showpiece parks, Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park, as well as Picnic Point and our own city entry at the top of the range. I’d go as far to say that our local council gardeners are some of the most highly skilled horticulturists in Australia and that they produce one of the largest and finest floral displays as well.
Over the course of the carnival’s 10 days there are many shows and events to visit.
I simply must mention the inaugural Toowoomba Spring Garden Show on Sunday, September 17 at the Darling Downs Christian School, 451 McDougall St, Toowoomba, between 9am to 4pm. Conceived and organised by a young, passionate horticulturist, Matthew Dolley (owner of The Grove Country Gardens, Pittsworth), the show will feature knowledgeable guest speakers as well as a great range of plant and horticultural product exhibitors. Entry is a gold coin so there’d be no reason why all gardeners shouldn’t get along and support this great idea to promote gardening and plants during spring.
Our own TAFE South West Horticulture facility will play host to yet another Toowoomba Clivia Society show, from Friday, September 15 to Wednesday, September 20 (9am – 5pm). This has to be one of the largest and most diverse displays of this wonderful South African genus in Australia, which is really not surprising considering Toowoomba’s perfect Clivia climate. This show draws visitors from all over Australia, and many from overseas as well, so make sure you come along with a gold coin donation (proceeds to St Vincent’s Hospital). You’ll find it hard not to walk out with one of these beauties for your shady garden nook. At Newtown Park’s Rose Cottage you’ll also find The Toowoomba Bonsai Group’s Annual Show, open from Friday, September 15-17 (9am-4.30pm). Growing a healthy and quality bonsai is indeed a mixture of skill and art, and the local bonsai group will have no shortage of beautiful specimens on display, including conifers, maples, azaleas, Indian hawthorns and wisterias in typical bonsai styles. Entry is $3, under 15 free.
I’m a big fan of our beautiful native orchids, and will definitely visit the stunning display at the Native Orchid Society of
Toowoomba’s Spring Show at St John’s Lutheran Church Hall, Toowoomba (Friday, September 15 to Monday, September 18, $3 entry, under 15 free). You’ll find that native orchid blooms are small but beautifully intricate, and many are easily grown in our local climate. Get some hints and tips from experienced growers and maybe purchase a few for your own yard!
Speaking of orchids, the Toowoomba Orchid Society’s Spring Show is running from Friday, September 15 to Tuesday, September 19 at St Pauls Lutheran Church Hall, Toowoomba. There’s usually a dazzling array of exotic and native orchids to view and purchase, and plenty of experienced growers to help as well as potting demonstrations.
At Sacred Heart Primary School you’ll find a great Bromeliad Show happening from Saturday, September 16 to Monday, September 18, 8am – 4pm. Get some great advice about suitable varieties for our region, and check out their range of cacti, succulents and foliage plants on sale as well.
Grab a 2017 Carnival of Flowers Official Program to see more details on these and many more exciting horticultural happenings during one of the best weeks of the gardening year!