No-one mentioned yesterday the glorious Canberra spring day or the cloudless blue sky normally essential ingredients to the opening of Floriade. It would have been impolite in the face of the drought ravaging an already Canberra-detesting bushfolk.
The Chief Minister, Rosemary Follett, opened Floriade saying it had attracted more than half a million visitors and $30 million worth of business last year and would attract more this year. There will be approximately one bulb per person. This year 581,300 bulbs have been planted and 215,000 annuals. This year Floriade is contaminated by a native-plants section with subtle Australian flora competing with the gaudy European imports 286,000 tulips, 103,000 daffodils, 100,000 Ipheion/Tritelia, and 27,000 Hyacinths. The major sponsor of the four-week event is the Advance Bank. Ms Follett said the bank’s support and that of 13 other public and private-sector sponsors had enabled the event to remain free.