What our experience like

Peony Story, a renowned Sydney Flower Workshops Provider, attended the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show this year. We helped a fellow floral designer from Florii Studio in her Open Competition and also had first hand experience to see how the stunning floral displays set up behind the scene. Make sure you scroll down to see some behind the scenes photos.

This highly anticipated event was held from March 27th to March 31st, 2023, at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens in Melbourne. Attending the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show was an exciting and memorable experience. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively, with visitors from all over the world gathering to celebrate the beauty of flowers and garden displays.

We arrived the venue one day before the public openning to set up Florri Studio's Open Competition's display before the midday. Then we had some time to see how the other floral designers, landscapers, students and artisits work their magic on their displays. The largest installations have till 5pm on the date to complete all of their work before the judges coming in on the night to judge. All of the participants put in tremendous effort to make sure their displays are impeccable. If you want to find out who the winners are, check out the Melbourne Flower Show winners page.

One of the most memorable displays is the 'Climate Change Changes Flowers' by Sustainable Floristry Network, it shows how the flowers landscape has changed in the last 100 years in one breathtaking scene.

Behind the Scene

The process of creating a floral display installation typically begins with a concept or design idea. The artist or designer will choose the type of flowers and plants to be used and decide on the overall style, color scheme and the feeling/idea to communicate to viewers. Next, the materials needed to construct the installation, such as wire, foam, and vases, are gathered. The flowers are then arranged and wired onto the frame or structure, often using techniques such as weaving or clustering. 

Careful attention must be paid to lighting, temperature, and humidity levels to ensure that the flowers remain fresh and vibrant for the period of the flower show. The final result is a stunning and ephemeral work of art that delights and inspires viewers.

Generally speaking, during a competition and its judging process, special criteria will be used to evaluate how well artists display their techniques. This includes aspects such as how well they hide the mechanics and how neat the entire display is. Therefore, when constructing their installations, artists need to pay great attention not only to the overall delivery of their vision, but also to how well the details are executed.

Garden Show

The outdoor sections of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show are a must-see for visitors. They feature stunning landscape gardens, unique sculptures, and a diverse range of retailers.