Fleur Speedy knows flowers take time

One of the many talented gardeners who helps prepare for the festival is Fleur Speedy, who has been working in Wellington’s gardens for 25 years. 

“The plants can tell way before we do when the seasons are changing,” says Fleur. “It’s always nice seeing the flowers we planted way back in May pop up to tell us the darkest days of winter have passed.” 

Fleur attributes her evergreen presence at the Council to her fellow passionate gardeners, the visitors she sees enjoying the plants with their dogs, and the satisfaction of watching her work flourish.  

As a lover of local flora, Fleur is enjoying the native and diverse display beds for Spring Festival this year. 

“We’ve moved away from bulk tulips, but it’s for a good reason,” she explains. 

“The tulips have been planted in the same beds since the end of WWII, and the soil has a build-up of pathogens that affect their health and growth.” 

While there are still more than 7,500 tulips across the display beds, they’re now planted with pockets of other plants to rejuvenate the soil. This will help protect the gardens against pathogens this year and beyond.   

“We do have fewer tulips, but you’ll notice that they look much healthier than in previous years!” 

Ordering fewer tulips and using a mixture of perennial and annual plants means that the Spring Festival has a lower carbon footprint this year. 

“We’ve been able to source and propagate plants from Berhampore Nursery instead of them being sent from other parts of the country like the tulips are, which saves money and reduces transport emissions,” Fleur explains.  

As well as checking out the events happening across the gardens this September, Fleur recommends springing into action in your own garden for spring. 

“Now’s the time to plant! I’m planting some native grasses, Veronicas, and Astelias, but whatever you’re planting you should do the leg work now, so they make the most of the spring rains.” 

Spring Festival runs for the whole month of September at Wellington Gardens. Visit the Wellington Gardens website for events to get amongst the kōanga flowers and celebrate the season.