Better Homes and Gardens presenter Graham Ross was one of thousands who enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather and visited the flower festival on its opening weekend.

He said a small entry fee could be used to improve Floriade and grow its international profile.

''It's the only flower festival in the world that's free and that might be great for the locals but horticulturally Australia is starting to slip back because there is not a gate,'' Mr Ross said.

''If we had a gate of a dollar - not what the previous administrator did $6 or $8 - but if you have a $1 or $2 gate and it was specifically allocated to Floriade this show would double its numbers, double its international standard and increase the number of people coming through here.''

He also criticised the lack of higher viewing platforms at Commonwealth Park.

The theme of this year's festival is Feast for the Senses and the beds have a foodie tilt, with large chillies and coffee represented with different flowers.

''I would like to see more elevation - they keep talking about it, but people need to see it from above.''

Warmer weather this month had germinated the tulip bulbs ahead of schedule, although the design of the flower beds means different varieties will flower throughout the festival.

''There are over a million bulbs here, but the tulips have come out a little bit early for 2011, so if you're looking at tulips you need to come sooner than later - in the next week or two,'' Mr Ross said.