Fest’s second dazzling year

By Casey Neill
DAZZLING flowers always bring the Dandenongs to life in spring.
But this year’s Springfest, The Dandenong Ranges Spring Gardens Festival, will incorporate floral focal points with food, wine, art and craft to create a buzz throughout the region.
Springfest is on now until 31 October. Organisers hope it will be bigger and better than last year’s inaugural event, which aimed to bring visitors back to the area following the Black Saturday bushfires.
Festival highlights include annual garden events – Tesselaar Tulip Festival from 16 September to 13 October in Silvan, Hancock’s Daffodil Garden Show in Menzies Creek until 26 September and the National Rhododendron Gardens Spring Floral Festival from 16 October to 2 November in Olinda.
Top garden and landscaping experts will share their green thumb tips.
In Olinda, Phillip Johnson will talk about sustainable landscapes, Tim Orpin will offer his expertise on woodland plants and cultivating and propagating trilliums, and Craig Williams will teach the art of bonsai. David Daly will present the latest information on cool climate plants for today’s landscapes in Ferny Creek.
A Gardening Roadshow question and answer session at Cloudehill Gardens in Olinda is a new addition to the Springfest program.
Private gardens throughout the hills will open on Saturday 23, Sunday 24, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October.
Many Dandenongs cafes and restaurants will have meal deals on offer and visitors can check out art exhibitions, music events, kids activities and family entertainment.
Visit www.inspiringinspring.com.au for full details.