Flower power
Where to find spring’s best blooms
Daffodils
If daffodils are the cheeriest flowers, then Kyneton has got to be one of the most cheerful towns in Victoria. For 47 years now Kyneton has been holding an annual daffodil (and arts) festival to celebrate spring and the chirpy, butter-coloured bloom. As well as offering 18 daffodil-laden open gardens (Hourigans is one of the prettiest), the festival also has a daffodilthemed art prize, market stalls, performances and a parade on the final day (expect lots of people dressed as daffodils). The full list of gardens can be found on the festival website. àkyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival, Kyneton 3444. 03 5422 2282. www.kynetondaffodilarts.org.au. Sep 5-15.
Peonies
Hot take: peonies don’t get nearly as much attention as they should. See the bulbous, frilly flowers in all their glory at Spring Hill Peony Farm. Peonies bloom a little later than other spring flowers (around late November) so they’re perfect for those who want to wait until it’s warm to go picking. The peonies here are available in shades of white and pink and can be bought in bunches or pots or you can opt to pick your own (BYO secateurs). Dates are liable to change due to weather, and updates can be found on Spring Hill’s Facebook page. àspring Hill Peony Farm, 1385 Kyneton-springhill Rd, Spring Hill 3444. 0438 567 604. springhillpeonyfarm.com. au. 10am-3pm. $15-$35. Nov 20-30.
Roses
Stop and smell the roses this spring at Werribee Mansion. The Victoria State Rose Garden is located on the plush grounds of the 19th century Italianate mansion and is home to 5,000 roses across five hectares (which are also shaped to resemble a Tudor rose). Some of the best performing and photogenic roses include the white ‘Aspirin’, peach-coloured ‘Brass Band’ and baby pink, lemon-scented ‘Angel Face’. The gardens are open every day, but for maximum spring bloom density go in October and November. àvictoria State Rose Garden, Gate 2, K Rd, Werribee South 3030. 131 963. www.vicstaterosegarden.com.au/home. Apr-sep 9.30am-5pm; Oct-mar 9.30am-6pm. Free.
Tulips
Every spring you can literally tiptoe through the tulips at Tesselaar Tulip Festival. The monthlong flower festival brings a little slice of the Netherlands to the Dandenong Ranges with fields of tulips in every colour of the rainbow. If you are going for the ’gram (be honest), there are lots of photo opportunities with windmills and staff dressed in traditional Dutch costumes scattered among the tulips – you can even pick your own bunch from a special garden. The festival has food and market stalls, tractor rides, live music and Australia’s largest wooden clog. àtesselaar Tulip Festival, Tesselarr Flower Farm, 357 Monbulk Rd, Silvan 3795. 03 9737 7722. tulipfestival.com. au. Daily 10am-5pm. $0-$29. Sep 14-Oct 13.