An alpaca, circus performers and a "free Canberra cuddles" station brightened the official launch of Floriade for 2016.
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Canberra's annual festival of all things floral opens its doors to the public on Saturday for its 29th year.
More than 1 million plants make up this year's displays, with kale and parsley plants also scattered among the regular favourites, including tulips and pansies.
The wet weather gave the flowers a thorough drink in the lead up to the opening day of the month-long event, which is expected to see almost 500,000 people through the gates.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr officially launched the event on Friday afternoon, calling it, "a festival of flowers that leads into our city's festival of democracy".
He added he might not get to spend as much time as he'd like at the event, with the ACT election looming.
The 2016 program isn't all about flowers and includes celebrity foodie visitors including dessert king Adriano Zumbo and My Kitchen Rules semi-finalist Scott Gooding.
While Sydney-sider Gooding said he hadn't heard of Floriade before, he "jumped at the opportunity" to be involved.
"I understand that it's a huge event, one that gets bigger every year so if I can be a part of that, then I'm all on board," he said.
He will cook up a storm at two demonstration sessions on the first day of the event.
"I am doing mussels in a spicy Asian broth and sauteed silverbeet or rainbow chard with chilli and garlic and tahini dressing and a crispy skinned salmon".
Braddon florists Moxom and Whitney will also run their popular terrarium workshops at the Floral Emporium.
Commonwealth Park will also light up again after dark for the ticketed Nightfest from September 28 - October 2 with food, live music, and comedy.
Floriade runs from September 17 to October 16 at Commonwealth Park. Full program at floriadeaustralia.com.au.
