The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is back with extended evening programming to entice green thumbs into the city for the spectacular displays.
The new program elements will help the much-loved event appeal to new audiences, bringing more people into the city to experience the show and everything else on offer in the CBD.
It is the first event being held at the Royal Exhibition Building since it wound down operations as a major state vaccination hub.
Support from the Andrews Labor Government is allowing the show to extend into the evening, with the Autumn Night Garden in the Royal Exhibition Building forecourt running between 4.30pm and 9.30pm from Wednesday, 30 March to Saturday, 2 April.
The forecourt will be transformed with sprawling garden and lighting displays, live performances from more than 20 local musicians, food trucks, a bar, and plenty of seating to soak up the surroundings.
The additional programming includes an Indoor Plant Zone and luxurious high tea and a pop-up bistro from rising star, Morgan Hipworth, of artisan bakehouse Bistro Morgan.
Australian of the Year, wheelchair tennis champion and disability advocate Dylan Alcott will present a fully accessible show garden 'Tramlines' which will be auctioned at the event, with proceeds going to the Dylan Alcott Foundation.
The accessible garden and Autumn Night add to the Show's popular garden and floral displays, hands on workshops and educational talks.
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is one of the top five garden shows globally. In previous years, it has attracted 100,000 visitors and 800 exhibitors, and the stage is set for a bumper crowd this year.
Victoria's garden industry employs more than 11,000 people in jobs such as landscaping, gardening retail, turf production, allied trades and floristry. The Show supports industry growth from new business generated at the event.
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas
"In addition to the stunning garden design, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show has a critical role to showcase Victoria's nation leading horticulture industry while attracting thousands of visitors to the CBD."
"By bringing a little bit of the country to the city, we'll boost businesses and support local jobs."
