MAJOR EXPANSION OF OUR 2022 PROGRAM

The southern hemisphere’s largest horticultural event, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, presented by Scotts Osmocote, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its already jam-packed 2022 program. As part of a new partnership with Visit Victoria, the extended offering will introduce the first-ever Celebrity Show Garden, an all-new entertainment precinct and a revamped, star-studded High Tea menu.

Making his Show debut, 2022 Australian of the Year, champion wheelchair tennis player and disability advocate Dylan Alcott will create the first-of-its-kind Celebrity Show Garden, called ‘Tramlines’, in collaboration with Carolyn and Joby Blackman of Vivid Design. Fully accessible, the display will incorporate plants and shrubs from Warners Nurseries and trees from Established Tree Transplanters. Show veterans Semken Landscaping will lead the building process with construction support from Kevin Heinze Grow, an equal opportunity employer and unique nursery that provides horticultural therapy programs, educational traineeships, and jobs for young people with disabilities.

‘Tramlines’ will be auctioned at the event and redesigned in its new home by Mark Browning Landscape Design, making the garden a true collaboration between Dylan and past winners of the coveted festival. All proceeds of the garden’s sale will go directly to the Dylan Alcott Foundation.

“I’m really excited to be involved in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show because me and my family are all fans. To be involved in not only the design process but the activation of a fully accessible garden at the Show is something that’s really special to me. Gardens are often built and the accessibility is an afterthought and it’s hard to retrofit, so the fact that it’s been considered from the very beginning is really cool,” said Dylan Alcott of his first Show Garden design.

“I love so many elements of the garden, particularly the totem tennis, because that is how I learned many of my tennis skills, and the pathing, which is all to do with universal design. The connection with the Dylan Alcott Foundation is also really special as the sale of this garden will help young Australians with disabilities achieve their dreams. I can’t wait to be there,” Dylan continued.

Established as an extension of the Show, the brand-new Autumn Night Garden will see the Royal Exhibition Building forecourt transformed with sprawling garden and lighting displays, and live performances from over 20 Melbourne-based musicians, from 4:30pm until 9:30pm, Wednesday 30^th March until Saturday 2^nd April. Complete with food trucks, a bar and plenty of seating to soak up the surroundings, the precinct will create a free oasis for bystanders and Show patrons alike, each evening.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show back to Carlton Gardens this autumn with a bigger program than ever. This first-time partnership with Visit Victoria has allowed us to expand our offering and celebrate the best of Australia’s horticultural industry in new and exciting ways. From world-class entertainment to gourmet bites and exceptional garden designs, we can’t wait for our visitors to experience the fantastic evolution of our event,” said Marcus Gale, Event Director of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, IMG.

Australian rising star, Morgan Hipworth, of artisan bakehouse Bistro Morgan, will headline the luxurious High Tea feature with his signature culinary delights. In addition to a specially curated menu complete with custom-designed recipes for guests to take home, Hipworth will also present a pop-up Bistro where Show visitors can purchase his renowned treats.

With breathtaking garden and floral displays, hands on workshops, educational talks, roving entertainment, live music, and delicious botanical bites, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a must-see event this autumn.

Tickets are now on sale at melbfloweshow.com.au

EVENT DETAILS

Location: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens