One of the creative forces behind Floriade will be honoured today by being selected to present her own hand-crafted floral arrangement to the Queen.
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Floriade's horticultural program coordinator Susie Dunn was last night putting the finishing touches to the posy of Australian natives including waratah and kangaroo paw.
She will present the flowers to the Queen when the monarch visits Floriade during a private viewing.
Mrs Dunn has been with Floriade for seven years, her work including creating five of the intricate floral gowns worn by the Floriade ambassador.
''It's just an honour, a privilege, to be asked to do that,'' she said of meeting the Queen.
Meanwhile, it's been a different kind of ''off with their head'' down at Floriade over the past three days in preparation for today's visit by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
Floriade head gardener Andrew Forster estimates a dedicated team of gardeners has de-headed about 100,000 tulips to ensure the flower festival looks its best for the royal visit. They have been getting rid of the spent blooms and ensuring those at their peak, including ranunculus, Dutch iris and pansies, are able to shine.
''It's looking fantastic,'' Mr Forster said.
''We've had 17 staff working for three days on a big clean-up and it's looking beautiful. The team has done a fantastic job so to them I say, 'thank you and well done'.'' A picture-perfect Canberra day is forecast for the Floriade visit, with sunny skies and a top temperature of 27 degrees expected.
It's hoped the shores of Lake Burley Griffin will be lined with crowds of Canberrans to welcome the Queen and Prince Philip as they travel from Government House to Commonwealth Park on an Admiral's Barge.
Commonwealth Park will be off-limits for the private royal visit to Floriade but there will be plenty of vantage points around the lake, with spectators advised to be in place by 10.30am.
Suggested spots include the shores of Weston Park, Black Mountain Peninsula and the shoreline from Lennox Gardens to Commonwealth Place in front of the National Library and Questacon as well as in front of Nerang Pool.
It's been a frantic last-minute effort to spruce up Floriade which officially finished last Sunday. But there is little rest for Mr Forster and his hard-working team. They are already working on the design for next year's Floriade.