A Day at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show


Hello!!
The Mothership, the Fatherdom, Sista Amazona and I visited the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show at the Melbourne Exhibition Hall.

I'm not sure why it can claim the word 'international'.  Perhaps it was because there was one food truck selling italian food and another food truck selling Kathmandu Street food.


There were lovely floral displays and competitions inside Exhibition Hall.


You know whenever I visit these places I take a million photos.
This post has about half a million. But there was so many beautiful things to see!


Sista Amazona joined a workshop where she learnt how to make a little planter box.

Very workshop. Much drill.

Ladies teetered around on stilts.


There were loads of different floral displays.

Don't you just hate frizzy hair days?

It's official. There are no more orchids left in Melbourne.


The last time I went was 4 years ago. Back then there were striking displays of Gloriosa Lilies. I was so happy to see them again!

I think we can all agree: Gloriosas are GLORIOUS!!

One of the competing displays called 'Pink Rain' was by Alice of Love Alice & Co. I had a quick chat with Alice. Each carnation was dedicated to all women, men and families touched by breast cancer. Alice was handing out a little flyer which explained how her mum and later her aunties were diagnosed with breast cancer. For this floral installation, she reached out to people on the streets of Melbourne to write messages of love and support to people they may know who are affected by cancer, which she made into little paper cranes. These are all hanging in with the pink carnations. I wanted to vote for her display, but the voting people told me voting opened the following day :( I voted for you in my heart Alice!



Delbard roses. Be still my beating heart!!


After doing a complete upstairs and downstairs circuit of Exhibition Hall, we went outside and decided it was time for food.

Remember that Kathmandu Street food cart? I had some. Goat Curry. So.bloody.good.

And I fondly remembered all our little Mohair Goats that we used to have on the farm when I was growing up. I particularly remembered a large cantankerous goat girl called Flossy.

Flossy once head butted me in the head. Because I was so offensive as to lie down in HER paddock. I really enjoyed the goat curry thinking about that cranky old nannie.

So.bloody.good. And btw the Ballarat begonia festival flyer is in the background because I saved one to give the Mothership in case she decides to visit in future years.

An Owl House. We don't really keep owls in Kangarooland. Perhaps some Ringtail Possums or Drop Bears might take up residence.

I can tell you from personal experience, that if you drive round a corner too fast in one of these, it tips up and takes the corner on 2 wheels.


Now here's a weird photo. Can you see what's strange about this picture below?


It's autumn and there are tulips and hyacinths. Do you realize how weird it is to smell Spring in Autumn?!?!

Then we looked at the garden design displays.


This was one of my favourites.  See that white frame? Inside the back top strut was some sort of water pipe thingo so water sprinkled down in a light curtain.






I think this one below was the Big Honcho Award Winner.


I was in the middle of taking this photo when someone walked in front. At first I was all like, "Hey lady! Will you just get out of my friggin way and look where you're going?"

Then I realized I had done exactly the same thing to some other person behind me! So sorry!



"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat; it was a hobbit- hole, and that means comfort."



In the gardens near a lake, I found this plaque.


I looked up.  I'm not sure which tree the Dalai Lama planted, but it's nice that he did.


I was extremely tempted to buy some of these flowers and potted plants.






And finally I headed home after a quick selfie with the Mothership.


Thanks for visiting!
xox
Louise
The Red Haired Amazona

Comments

  1. It'll be another MONTH before the LAST bit of ICE is off the front garden and the crocuses will manage to come up... Then the odd tulip perhaps, but doubtful as I don't think Mom planted any before the snow. - We have a big tulip festival here in Ottawa in May... Despite the screwy weather then, I suspect that "they" hot-house the flowers just before the Tourists show, as a lot of the flower-beds look way too pristine!
    Whatever, I rather do enjoy our Lily-of-the-Valley and the Lilacs... Mom keeps a "wild" garden out in the backyard for the bees and birds... Both of my Grandmothers were avid gardeners, but I never did get THAT gene! However, my sister did and her eldest daughter... Sis is like G.I. Gardener Girl!
    BTW, finally saw some returning Geese today! -- They must "know" something..??
    Anyhoo, GREAT PICS!! - Love the Pumpkins!
    ;-D
    "Hi" to your Mom!
    x

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    1. The parental units are also mad keen gardeners. The Mothership is a member of the Ulladulla Gardening club and organizes their outings. Their passionfruits are massive!!

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  2. What beautiful coverage of the garden show. I didnt go this year so it was nice to see all.of your photos and read your story. Thankyou x

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    1. Thanks Bernardene! The last time I went was 4 years ago. I think you could get away with not going every year. I found this year the stalls selling and advertising goods seemed to be more than the actual displays :( But still beautiful to visit.

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  3. Thanks for sharing that massive and wonderful garden show! Your mother is lovely.. I see where you get your beauty. Loved the hanging flowers and the dahlias! Can't wait till my lilacs are in bloom. Soon! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    Replies
    1. I can't wait until YOUR lilacs are in bloom either! I saw the recent photos of the lilac buds. I remember in previous years they were magnificient!

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