TOOWOOMBA IS BLOOMING GORGEOUS

HORTICULTURAL DELIGHTS ABOUND IN THE GARDEN CITY

STARTING yesterday, and continuing until September 30, the 2018 and 69th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is no doubt the major highlight of Toowoomba’s events calendar.

The range of attractions this year are too numerous to mention here, and, as this is a gardening column, I thought it best to stick to gardening topics!

With this in mind, here are a few horticultural events I’d recommend you try to attend over the weekend and through the ensuing week.

Firstly, get to as many Chronicle Competition gardens as possible (free!).

They’re open right through to September 30, and visitors will not be disappointed, discovering a multitude of gardening styles and designs along the way.

Secondly, buy a ticket and visit the four gorgeous Exhibition Gardens open for this year’s festivities.

I can guarantee that visitors to these gardens will be gobsmacked by the stunning range of plants, the intriguing landscaping, and will leave each garden brimming with ideas on how to transform or improve their own gardens.

Thirdly, experience the beautiful gardens created by our exceptional Toowoomba region gardeners.

Try to visit Queens Park, Laurel Bank Park and Picnic Point and check out the extensive annual and perennial plantings, as well as the great range of entertainment on offer.

And finally, spend a day or two visiting the numerous community floral events such as the Toowoomba Clivia Show at TAFE Qld Southwest’s horticulture facility, Toowoomba Orchid Society’s Spring Orchid Show (St Paul’s Church Hall), Toowoomba Bonsai Group Annual Show (Rose Cottage, Newtown Park), Native Orchid Society spring show (St John’s Lutheran Church Hall), Toowoomba Geranium Society Show (Masonic Hall Neil St), and Toowoomba and Districts Bromeliad Society’s Show (Sacred Heart School Hall, North and Tor Sts).

Details of where and when for all these events are listed in the official 2018 Carnival of Flowers Program and at www.tcof.com.au.

Enjoy all our wonderful Carnival of Flowers week has to offer!

Photos: Mike Wells FLORAL DELIGHTS: These Vriesea bromeliads and many more varieties may be on display at the Bromeliad Society's show at Sacred Heart School Hall this weekend.

The subtle beauty of the pink rock orchid (Dendrobium kingianum) may dazzle you at the Native Orchid Society's show at St John's Lutheran Church Hall.

Toowoomba region's international partnership display garden is a must see at the Festival of Food and Wine at Queen's Park this weekend.

Bob and Val Ford's stunning garden has won the Floral Garden and Front Garden award this year. A must see on the garden trail - 19 Burke St Rangeville.

A gorgeous bonsai forest of Acer beugerianum growing on a stone slab. Get to the Toowoomba Bonsai Group's display this weekend to find out how they do it.

You may see this deep orange Clivia cultivar during this year's Clivia Show at TAFE Horticulture, behind Cobb and Co Museum.

Pelargonium 'Big Splash' is a new cultivar of tough, disease resistant geranium you may see at the Toowoomba Geranium Society's display this year.