Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers goes beyond a floral tradition

THE annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers goes beyond a floral tradition as it celebrates a broader sense of belonging and the delights of discovery.

Carnival gardens have evolved to be more than just a temporary splash of colour.

Few of us have the time or enthusiasm to recreate the colourful annual plantings Toowoomba display gardens are renowned for – but there is plenty to admire and learn from this much loved Queensland event.

An estimated 50,000 people lined the main street of Toowoomba for the first Carnival of Flowers parade in 1949. This year more than 250,000 visitors will descend on Queensland’s flower capital to enjoy an expanded 10-day flower, food, wine and entertainment festival.

Visiting gardens is all about discovering new plants and new ideas. And while many of the species grown in the Toowoomba district are less successful at lower altitudes and in coastal regions, some do cross the divide.

Toowoomba nurseries hold plenty of treasures including unusual succulents, a diverse selection of roses and camellias, hydrangeas, clivea, fuchsias and a much broader range of deciduous ornamental and fruiting trees than you will find elsewhere.

Toowoomba nurseries also hold plenty of treasures.

The annual flower and bulb displays of private competition gardens and public parks provide the opportunity to learn about planting combinations that appeal – bright colour contrasts, co-ordinated pastels or complimentary combinations – observe plant spacing; learn when to plant and the fertilising regimes that optimise growth; and discover the secrets of getting everything to reach peak flowering at once.

But carnival gardens have evolved to be more than just a temporary splash of colour. Don’t miss visiting native gardens in the carnival competition. Discover how to train native plants standards, use them as topiary and learn how to prune to enhance flowering and longevity.

Head 15 minutes north of Toowoomba to discover the hectares of native plants at Peacehaven Botanic Park, 56 Kuhls Rd, Highfields. The Park enjoys stunning views of the Bunya Mountains and if you are lucky enough to be there during nursery opening hours (Thursday 9am-12.30pm; Saturday 9am-1pm), you can engage with onsite park volunteers and purchase native plants that they grow.

More than 250,000 visitors will descend on Queensland’s flower capital for the 10-day festival.

If you are keen to get ideas about up-lighting feature trees or using night lighting to make your garden more usable during balmy summer evenings, check out Laurel Bank Park in Hill Street by night. Wander the paths at your leisure or take an hour long tour guided by Laurel Bank Park gardening staff. Guided tours offer the bonus of being able to have plants identified and for you to ask questions about the planning, planting and maintenance of the display gardens and feature trees, and get lighting statistics. Guided tours operate September 24-28 (6.30-7.30pm) departing from the Park Hall Information Hub (cost $5, pre-booking advised).

You can also immerse yourself in the Queens Park Ergon Energy Night Garden, Lindsay St, East Toowoomba. This free interactive LED lighting installation operates from dusk (until September 30). If you need inspiration for your festive season light display, this could be the event for you.

And even the keenest gardeners need to take a break at some stage, so be sure to check out some of Toowoomba’s laneways and back streets. They are home to quirky coffee shops, eateries, plant stalls and walls adorned with street art.

For a taste of what you can see, check out firstcoat.com.au/murals/

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, until September 30, tcof.com.au