GARDEN and flower lovers prepare to cast winter blues to the wind and be awe-struck at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney as the free All About Flowers display transforms the Calyx greenhouse into a sensory overload of colour and scent.
The Calyx is an integrated mix of of indoor and outdoor areas with exhibitions and displays changing on a regular basis.
At its centre, All About Flowers features a giant living floral wall taking the form of a living watercolour painting.
The vibrant display of flowers showcases colourful arrangements of exotic plants including moth orchids, begonias, hydrangeas, garvineas, dianthus, and more and stretches over 50 metres in length and 5.5 metres high - the largest interior green wall in the southern hemisphere - further enhanced by a series of large garden beds and a fountain.
Director of horticulture and curator Jimmy Turner said All About Flowers had become a vibrant hub for art classes, children's craft sessions and drop-in ikebana classes (Japanese floral art).
The event was "poetic homage to the masters of impressionism," he said.
Don't forget to take your camera as the most creative photo of the winter floral display could win a $150 voucher to the Botanic Cafe. Use #allaboutflowers and follow the gardens on @RBGSydney.
The display runs until July 30 (10am-4pm). Entry is free but bookings are recommended.
The Calyx is also a hive of activities including:
- Yoga Mondays 7.30 - 8.30am until June 19. $20 per session. Bookings: Svenja 0416-939-852
- Free live music performances from students of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Tuesdays 12.15 - 1pm until June 27
- Art of Ikebana, Sandy Marker of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana will teach of the basic techniques of the artform. June 1, 10am-1pm $85 (Foundation and friends $70). Email programs.info@bgcp.nsw.gov.au Bookings HERE
- Drawing from Nature with artist Charlotte Thodey, June 8, 10am-1pm, $85/$70. Details HERE
- July 1, (10am-noon) budding horticulturists or those just interested in all thing plants can meet one of the garden's curators at the Calyx and see some of the herbarium's collection of 1.2 million pressed plant species collected over 200 years. (Free no booking required).
The Royal Botanic Gardens are in Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney. The Calyx is in the south western corner.
- (02) 9231-8111 www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
