THE finishing touches have been made to the centrepiece of this weekend’s Ballarat Begonia Festival.
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Staff helped prepare more than 700 flowers for the begonia display in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens conservatory on Friday.
The “bigger than ever” display will be unveiled on Saturday at 10am.
Upright and cascade tuberous begonias and heuchera lime marmalade and argyranthemum white swan flower varieties will feature in the display.
Two flower towers about two metres tall are also a feature of the display. Each is covered with blooms from
more than 200 begonias that have been grown from seed by nursery staff and have taken nine months to reach full size.
A giant Lego replica of the can-can begonia is also sure to prove popular.
City of Ballarat mayor John Philips hoped for perfect weather for the long weekend.
“There is so much going on, it’s all about families and there are great opportunities for them to enjoy a day out,” he said.
The Central Highlands Water Grow Your Own Food Program, Tea House, Mitchell Harris Wine Garden and Begonia parade will also feature.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Ballarat Begonia Festival 2015
WHEN: Saturday to Monday, 10am to 5pm each day
WHERE: Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree
HIGHLIGHTS: Begonia display, Central Highlands Water Grow Your Own Food Program, Tea House, Mitchell Harris Wine Garden, Giant Lego flower display and Begonia parade
COST: Free entry
CONTACT: ballaratbegoniafestival.com