The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is back!

By Gabrielle Stannus
 

With borders opening and travel between states now possible, why not make the most of this opportunity to visit the Southern Hemisphere’s premier horticulture event right here in Australia? From 30 March until 3 April 2022, the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show will once again grace the Royal Exhibition Building and the surrounding Carlton Gardens with its presence, delighting patrons with its Show Gardens plus much more!

With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a stop to the last two shows, Greenlife Industry Australia’s (GIA) President Glenn Fenton is keen to see the industry support the hard work done by the Nursery Garden & Industry Victoria (NGIV), Flowers Victoria, Landscaping Victoria and their event partners to bring the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) to life this year.

“We can all comfortably plan on moving interstate now to come to an event like MIFGS.” says Glenn, “The industry is open for business and everybody is very excited about the Show starting.”

“I note with a great deal of interest and pleasure the announcement last week by the Victorian Government that they have uncapped major events and they are allowing full capacity now,” adds Glenn.

Glenn encourages the greenlife industry across Australia to visit the Show this year.

“This is a great opportunity for the industry nationally to get behind the country’s largest horticultural event.” says Glenn. “This is where we as an industry are on show.”

“MIFGS really is a national horticultural event. There are designers, suppliers and retailers from across Australia,” says Glenn, “The Show Gardens will be designed by Victorian, interstate and international designers using plant life sourced from around Australia.”

In addition to the Show Gardens, Landscaping Victoria’s Boutique Gardens will be on display once again this year. The NGIV Precinct will house the Show’s Achievable and Emergent Gardens, designed by current and recently graduated students respectively, as well as the REVEALED exhibition showcasing the latest innovations in plant and plant-related products. Indoors, you can find the Great Hall of Flowers. Scotts Osmocote will host an indoor plant zone, whilst Ryman Healthcare are sponsoring a Balcony Garden competition.

“There is so much to see and do at the Show. You can see new and emerging design trends, buy product, or view new plant releases entering the marketplace,” says Glenn.

But the Show is not all about work! Let it entertain you!

“Check out the Gardens at Twilight on the Friday evening with your family and friends,” says Glenn, “You can sit on a rug, enjoy a pizza, listen to the music and have a few drinks whilst viewing the gardens under light.”

Catching up with friends

“MIFGS also provides a great opportunity to catch up with friends in the industry,” Glenn adds.

Whilst in town, take the time to check out local industry events that are happening concurrently with the Show.

NGIV’s Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria will be hosting ‘The Precinct Party’ between 6pm-9pm on Thursday 31 March 2022 with dinner and drinks. Click here to book your ticket to this event.

NGIV are offering all GIA members attending MIFGS a complimentary visit to its Trade Day at KCC Park on Tuesday 5 April 2022. Email ngiv@ngiv.com.au to register your interest.
 

2022 MIFGS Highlights

• Extraordinary horticultural displays from some of the world’s best landscape designers at the crowd-favourite Show Gardens 
• A haven of inspiration for urban dwellers in the Boutique Gardens with a clever collection of 5m x 5m designs 
• Award-winning floral designs, a dedicated wedding showcase, floral fashions by RMIT students, botanical-inspired High Tea and a Flower Market inside the Royal Exhibition Building 
• Gardens by Twilight until 9pm on Friday 1st April transforming Carlton Gardens into a twinkling paradise with Melbourne musicians, fine wines and gourmet bites
• Stunning works from more than 200 Australian artists as part of the revamped Arts and Sculpture Precinct
• Free expert advice, science-backed plant care products and inspirational displays at the Scotts Osmocote indoor plant zone 
• Hands on workshops and a giant pumpkin stack at the Diggers Club Urban Farm