Witness the Victoria State Rose Garden at its blooming best this spring as the annual State Rose & Garden Show returns to Werribee Park.
Celebrating its 9th year in 2023, this free event will take place over one colour-filled weekend, from Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 November. Whether you are a certified green thumb or a gardening novice, there’ll be something for everyone.
Across the weekend the gardens will transform into a kaleidoscope of colour as the spring sunshine lights up over 5,000 rose bushes and the manicured lawns play host to numerous garden exhibits, plant stalls, food trucks, and live music – making it a must-see event for visitors of all ages.
Highlights of the two-day event include the following:
NEW this year, The Gardeners’ Dome will host an impressive line-up of gardening experts covering a broad range of gardening topics, including everything from sustainable gardening to fermenting practices. Speakers include horticulturist and garden coach, Chloe Thomson, the charismatic Vasili Kanidiadis of ‘Vasili’s Garden’, horticulturist Craig Castree, best-selling author and radio host AB Bishop and fermentation specialist The Fermented Mumma.
Also NEW to the event is the Green Hub – an interactive space which will shine a spotlight on sustainable living and gardening practices, with stalls from Craig Castree, NatureWest, Wormlovers, Holly’s Backyard Bees and Eat My Garden.
Free, hands-on and interactive workshops will be on offer at the All Green Workshops and Café. Highlights include flower crown and posy making workshops with Petal Pop; beekeeping workshops with Holly’s Backyard Bees; how to collect and store native seeds with Nature West; terrarium and kokedama workshops with Lady Jane Greenhouse; terracotta pot painting workshops with ceramicist Melissa Murphy-Vella; and a Little Sprouts Growing and Nature Play program for kids.
Vertical arts company, SWAY will entertain attendees from above with a series of gravity defying performances in the heart of the Garden. Expertly fusing circus and physical theatre, these colourful and energetic performances promise to be a hit with all ages.
Furals Workshop & Poppy Remembrance Garden - A sea of wooden poppies which attendees can paint will be displayed on the lawn to commemorate Remembrance Day on the opening day of the event. On the Sunday, the poppies will be replaced by wooden roses which attendees can paint and take home with them.
A range of delicious sweet and savoury foods will be available including rose flavoured scones from the CWA. Timboon Fine Ice Cream will be serving up tasty rose flavoured ice, while The Prosecco Van will add a touch of sparkle. Add to the mix the chilled sounds of an acoustic set and attendees have all the essential ingredients for a leisurely picnic on the lush green lawns.
Plus much more! Including guided tours of the Victoria State Rose Garden, led by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers who tend to and nurture the garden all year-round.