Floriade Garden Bed Designs

The Sounds Of Spring

Each year the Floriade garden beds are designed to reflect a new theme. This years theme is – The Sounds Of Spring. To get a real appreciation of what is on display in Commonwealth Park explore the details of the beds below to learn about the divers range of blooms that have been planted to create these intricate designs.

---

Garden Theme 1 – Bloom Stage

Brightly coloured tulips stand tall as the conductors of the show. They share Nature’s stage where visitors can enjoy Floriade’s diverse range of live musical performances in a setting like no other.

This stage is enlivened by musicians and performers, reinforcing Floriade 2022’s commitment to supporting the creative industries and music sector post pandemic.

Whilst enjoying the live sounds of spring, enjoy the bands of Daffodil ‘Pearl’ and Tulip ‘City of Vancouver’. Circling the stage are rings of tulips pink Tulip ‘Spryng’ and the noble purple Tulip ‘Saigon’.

Garden Theme 2 – Ultrasonic Nature

Sound waves are vibrations transmitted through mediums such as air, water and elements such as metals. Ultrasonic waves are inaudible sound with high frequency for humans.

It’s intriguing to think how the acoustic waves from a plant’s surrounding environment, both naturally occurring or artificially generated, can affect how a plant grows. Certain sound stimuli can even prepare a plant for defence against other stresses, such as drought and insects.

This ensemble of patterns and shapes are derived from the idea of interaction between plant life and sound, and how each bed is inspired by each other’s voice.

These gardens are predominantly mixed tulips and daffodils. The red and soft yellow notes of Tulip ‘Ile De France’ and ‘World Friendship’ have spent months rehearsing for this year’s very special Floriade performance.

Garden Theme 3 – Spring Duet

Spring is ‘active time’ for many bugs and beneficial insects. As the first blossoms bloom and the sunshine begins to warm, moths, bees, wasps, ladybugs, butterflies, and many other critters awaken from their deep winter sleeps.

In nature, Spring provides an array of delicious food for our wild fauna, which in turn help to pollinate flora in our natural places, gardens, parks and orchards. The plants and animals work together to nurture one another. This duet of spring can be heard when you listen closely.

The lady bug’s bright red body finds reference in Tulip ‘Ile De France’ with Bellis’ Turbo Red’ and dots of Tulip ‘Paul Scherer’, Tulip ‘Queen of the Night’ and Pansy ‘Large Black’. Here it can be seen making its way towards a neighbouring flower bed for post winter feast.

Garden Theme 4 – A Spring Melody

A melody is a delightful arrangement of sounds that considers a series of musical notes in a defined pattern of pitch and in rhythm. This flower bed is inspired by the idea of ‘a spring melody’ a delightful arrangement of flowers.

Composition of the bed includes a mixed of brightly coloured annual flowers Poppy ‘Artists Glory’, Pansy ‘Pure Orange’, Pansy ‘Large Primrose Clear’, Bellis ‘Turbo Red’, and Bellis ‘Turbo Pink’ that the paint the background colour. The three giant flowers are representative of the intro, bridge and chorus of a song. White Tulip ‘Antarctica’ leads the composition with the petals of Tulip’ Bloody Mary’, ‘Negrita’, ‘Prime Time, ‘Pink Impression’, ‘Paul Scherer’ and ‘Queen of the Night’ to mellow each verse.

Garden Theme 5 – Pink Noise

‘Pink noise’ is often associated with relaxing sounds found in nature. It’s a constant sound or ‘hum’ in the background that filters out the sharp sounds that can distract or interrupt rest or sleep. The new season’s sounds include the echoes of water ripples.

Spring sunshine reflects off the water’s surface, while the repetitive rhythm of the water lapping the edge of the shore creates a feeling of calm. Bright yellow Tulip ‘Novia Sun’ and striking blue Muscari represent the sun sparkling on the water. Similarly, the repetition of colours of the dainty Tritela flowers and Pansy ‘Waterfall’ arrangements convey a rhythm of tranquility.

Garden Theme 6 – Octave

The long fluid lines of Daffodil ‘Angelique’ and Daffodil ‘Pink Impression’ stretch across the edge of Nerang Pool. Just like a musical score, the four bands of colour represent the treble staff on which music is written. Ambient displays of cream and ivory Daffodil ‘Erlicheer’ and octaves of intense red and orange Tulip ‘Ad Rem’ are perfectly tuned to complete Floriade’s sound of spring composition. Daffodil ‘Silver Chimes’ ring out as the stage curtains are drawn to a standing ovation.

Garden Theme 7 – Vivid Soundscape

‘Soundwaves’ of vivid, flowing, flowering colour welcome the sounds of spring. Celebrate, enjoy and immerse yourself within a spectacular melody of flowers.

The soundscape is a harmony of striking whites such as Tulip ‘Silentia’ and Tulip ‘White Heart’ contrasting with the vivid reds of Tulip ‘Bloody Mary’ and Tulip ‘Ile De France’ and the warm pinks of Tulip ‘Prime Time’. Mixes of Tulip ‘Tres Chic’ with Daffodil Winston Churchill and intermixing of Bellis varieties provide textural highlights – echoing a symphony of sound.

Close your eyes and listen. In the same way flowers bring joy, so do the sounds of spring.

Garden Theme 8 – Spring Sunrise

It’s the first sunrise of spring – a time of new beginning and transformation.

In this Quartet there are some exceptional bulb varieties. For example, the elegant purple tulips Tulip ‘Negrita’ are the dark tones that represent the early hours of the morning and last winter’s night. First light is revealed in the spectacular Tulip ‘Rambo’ and Tulip ‘Synaeda Orange’ with their sunburst petals of colour gradients from vibrant oranges to yellows. Finally, spring is here!

To accompany this seasonal key change are bright pink tulips ‘Ace Pink’ and ‘Angelique’ presenting an upbeat tempo. The birds awaken and the roving performers of Floriade create the sounds of spring.