The climate in Victoria offers perfect growing conditions for all types of wildflowers and potted varieties. In fact, flower farms are prolific in the state, thanks to the lack of constant humidity in the climate, true and definable four seasons to aid planting, and crisp winter air.
Flowers and gardens
- Royal Botanical Gardens - www.rbg.vic.gov.au
- Located in the heart of the Melbourne metropolis, these gardens are a true Victorian landmark and are a living museum of plants and flowers. Visit for their annual October open day or just loll around on the lush grass any time of the year.
- Australian Garden - www.australiangarden.com.au
- Immerse yourself in truly Australian flora and landscapes, south-east of Melbourne at Cranbourne. The gardens highlight the the beauty and diversity of arid landscapes of central Australia with a dry river bed, rockpool waterway, red sand garden and several exhibition gardens which showcase the ways people can use native plants in their own gardens. A real eye-opener!
- Buda Historic Home & Garden - www.budacastlemaine.org
- A legacy of the gold rush era in Castlemaine, Buda is a home surrounded by gardens which provide a rare insight into generations of keen family gardeners. Many of the plants that were originally planted in the garden in the 1860s remain today.
- Heronswood - www.diggers.com.au
- Visit the gardens, taste the food and be inspired! Heronswood is located in Dromana, overlooking Port Phillip Bay. There's a historic homestead, fascinating gardens with an emphasis on water conservation and sustainability, a nursery and a fabulous cafe which serves up produce grown in the gardens.
- Morwell Centenary Rose Garden - www.morwellrosegarden.com.au
- A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet - you can be certain of this when you pay a visit to this rose sanctuary in Morwell. Spanning over a hectare, this rose garden is simply spectacular. Rose lovers can play "guess the species" as they trek along the rows and rows of blooms in this garden, lovingly maintained by the Latrobe City Council and many willing and rose-loving volunteers.
- National Rhododendron Gardens - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
- The Dandenong Ranges are also home to this little gem of a place. Set on a hilltop, there is little more scenic than tens of thousands of rhododendrons in bloom, plus azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Enjoy the flowers and the backdrop of the Victorian Alps. Access these gardens via the tourist township of Olinda.
- St Erth Gardens - www.diggers.com.au
- Managed by the Diggers Club who also look after Heronswood, the St Erth Gardens are situated in the tiny hamlet of Blackwood in the beautiful Macedon Ranges. See great displays of daffodils which carpet the lawns, perennials, grasses, shrubs and fruit trees. There's a cafe and retail nursery on-site as well.
- The Big Bouquet - www.bigbouquet.com.au
- Combine your love of animals with your zest for flowers when you visit this Yarra Valley alpaca and flower farm. A truly unique experience, located in Healesville, you can take a guided tour of the alpaca stud or cut your own flowers from the blooming glasshouses on site. You can even buy an alpaca to take home from here!
- Victoria State Rose Garden - www.vicstaterosegarden.com.au
- Werribee Park, south-west of Melbourne at Werribee, is home to the internationally acclaimed Victoria State Rose Garden. The gardens beautifully laid out gardens feature thousands of roses which are blooming at their best between November and April.
Flower and garden festivals
- Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show - www.melbflowershow.com.au
- A world renowned event, the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is held at the Royal Exhibition Building in the inner Melbourne suburb of Carlton. The passion and creativity of Australia's top landscape and floral designers are on show, with products on sale and lots of entertainment. A show for the whole family.
- Alexandra & District Open Gardens - www.alexandraopengardens.com.au
- A great selection of gardens in the Alexandra area are open during this festival, so hop in the car and explore them. There's also a formal gardener's dinner with guest speakers and other activities to get involved in.
- Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens - www.festivalofgardens.org
- A great opportunity to discover the gardens of Castlemaine and its surroundings, from historic cottage gardens to modern landscaped designs.
- Gardivalia Festival of Gardens - www.gardivalia.com.au
- Discover the many beautiful gardens in west Gippsland, from those small courtyard types to grand country gardens, during this festival. There's open gardens, garden tours, demonstrations, workshops and displays.
- Grampians Wildflower Show - www.grampianswildflowershow.org.au
- The Grampians region of Victoria comes alive during the springtime with its wildflowers and what better way to celebrate than by attending the Grampians Wildflower Show. There's an exhibition of wildflowers at the Centenary Hall in Halls Gap, hands-on activities, and organised tours with expert guides to see wildflowers in their natural environment.
- Hurstbridge Wattle Festival - www.wattlefestival.org.au
- Held in Hurstbridge when wattles are out in a blaze of glory along the Diamond Creek, this cultural festival celebrates the local heritage, environment and community. There's historical displays, stalls, food, wine, vintage cars and entertainment galore. You can even catch a steam train to the festival.
- Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival - www.kynetondaffodilarts.org.au
- This festival combines art with the daffodils that grace many of the gardens in Kyneton into a springtime celebration. There's a flower show, tours of gardens, live music and loads of activities and entertainment.
- Spring Fest - www.villagesofmtdandenong.com.au
- This garden festival spans a number of weeks during the springtime and includes events, shows, activities, open gardens and tours throughout the villages in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. There's something for whole family to enjoy, from garden enthusiasts to children.
- Tesselaar Tulip Festival - www.tulipfestival.com.au
- In the tucked away township of Silvan, located in the Dandenong Ranges, you will find the beds of millions of lush tulips in an array of vibrant and awe-inspiring colours. Each year the well known Tesselaar Tulip Farm holds a tulip festival to showcase this gorgeous flower in all of its purple patch glory. After a pleasant scenic drive east of the city of Melbourne, you will be dazzled by the stunning and wondrous fields of lush colourful tulips that grow here. Chances are if you've ordered tulips at your local florist anywhere within Australia, they have probably come from Tesselaar Tulip Farms. The festival runs from mid September to mid October each year.
Wildflowers
You don't have to be a botanist to enjoy the untamed beauty of a wildflower. Everywhere you turn in Victoria there is a wildflower species popping up to greet you.
You will find plenty of wildflowers in the Grampians area, thanks to the diversity of the flora in the location and moistness of the swamps and riverines.
Wildflowers can be found in many national parks in Victoria, typically in the warmer months on the year during spring and summer. However, during late winter, head to the Little Desert National Park in the far west of Victoria near Dimboola and Nhill, where wildflowers bloom from the late winter.
