Like a hardy annual the question of where to put Floriade comes up every year, but the answer is still very much floating in the spring air, as the 31st flower festival opens at Commonwealth Park on Saturday.
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Fog lifted over the park and sunshine bathed the blooms in what was a very low-key official launch on Friday, with Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Andrew Barr nowhere to be seen, tied up with talkback radio and meetings.
Head gardener Andrew Forster was left to do the heavy lifting, saying he did have some views about the future of Floriade.
"It should go to the arboretum because it's ACT land, but that's my personal opinion,'' Mr Forster said, preferring to concentrate on the flowers.
The National Capital Authority's insistence that Commonwealth Park not be dug up and commandeered by Floriade for up to eight months of the year means a compromise must be adopted. That is in the form of almost 200 planter boxes being filled with flowers grown at Mitchell and later positioned at the park. It's also led to perennial musings about whether Floriade should go somewhere else such as the arboretum or Glebe Park. But it seems Commonwealth Park will remain the home of Floriade, at least for now.
"Planning is well underway to run Floriade in Commonwealth Park in 2019 and Events ACT will be working with the National Capital Authority as plans progress over the coming months,'' a spokeswoman for Mr Barr said.
There are still carefully tended garden beds at Floriade this year, referencing the theme of pop culture, with nods to icons from Marilyn Monroe to Elvis Presley to Dorothy the Dinosaur and the odd Minion or two. There'll also be emojis here and there and celebrations of Grug, Angry Birds, Dame Edna and others.
Ben Perry and Peter Casimaty from Sydney company Plantabox were putting their final touch to a tribute to The Beatles' Abbey Road album cover (purple and white pansies form the famous pedestrian crossing). There will be a stand for visitors to position themselves for a photo as the fifth Beatle.
"This is our bit of fun,'' Mr Perry said.
Just under 400,000 people attended Floriade and just under 60,000 Nightfest last year. Nightfest is from September 26 to 30 at Stage 88 with highlights including open-air cinema, performances by Kate Miller-Heidke and Lucy Sugerman, a dance party and MA 15+ Comedy Nightfest on the Sunday night.
Performing at the comedy event will be Canberra's Chris Ryan, a long-time Floriade aficionado.
"It's just an awesome free day out when you can finally feel winter is over and actually enjoy being in Canberra again, rather than just tolerate it,'' she said.
"There's just something to be said for being outside and enjoying these blue skies and the sunshine. It's good for the soul.''
While her children Eve, 13; and Bill, 15; are old enough to attend the event with friends, Chris also remembered Floriade was a heavenly escape as a parent of little ones.
"It's just a great way to get out and have the kids enjoy some activities that are free and that you don't have to organise, and you can just relax,'' she said.
But one person who won't be relaxing is Mr Forster, who's been at every Floriade, the last 22 as head gardener. By 10am on Friday, he'd already clocked up 10km of briskly pacing around the event. On Monday, he covered 21 kilometres.
"I just like working with the apprentices, working with the school groups. And it keeps you fit,'' he said.
Dogs Day Out will be Sunday, October 14. Special talks will be held throughout the festival, from how not to kill your houseplants to making floral arrangements. A new village green - with a fountain and more tables and chairs arranged under strings of lights - is a new addition this year.
Food, wine and beer are also a feature. Pialligo Estate is at Floriade for the first time, taking over the main cafe and changing the usual plastic chairs for heavy wooden furniture from the estate itself.
There will be meals, high teas, local produce including jams and chutneys for sale.
Pialligo Estate general manager Charlie Costello was happily overseeing the last-minute touches.
"It's just the celebration of spring, the end of winter. Finally, we have some warm weather,'' he smiled.
Floriade is open 9.30am to 5.30pm daily. Entry is free. Tickets to Nightfest events at https://floriadeaustralia.com/nightfest/
