As residents return to the streets of Melbourne’s CBD, large floral displays blossom the city’s iconic landmark buildings, laneways and streets.
The project, dubbed Urban Blooms (delivered by the City of Melbourne and the state government through the $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund), will last until November 27 to get visitors back into the grid, taking photos, generating social media hashtags and supporting local businesses.
Melbourne Flower Merchant’s Elizabeth Ricci came up with the floral concept, taking it to the City of Melbourne and commissioning local florists to join in the fun.
Flowers Vasette has taken on the project with a firm hold, installing a grand archway floral sculpture around iconic Flinders Street Station.
The archway is the biggest public installation that Flowers Vasette (on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy) has undertaken in its 30 year history, and that compelled Vasette’s founder and managing director Cherrie Miriklis-Pavlou to give it her all.
The spectacular arch features more than 500 varietal stems including, Callistemon, Eucalyptus nicholii, bottlebrush, she-oak, red box gums, blackwood wattle and more.
The garden base is filled with banksia, kangaroo paw, king protea and towering three-metre tall Acer maple plants. She sourced extra foliage and flowers from Flowers Vasette’s own Beechmont Garden Retreat in Olinda and worked with construction engineers Showtech Australia for the triumphant moment.
Speaking to Domain, Miriklis-Pavlou says the floral display was inspired by the iconic building’s facade, and the fabulous weaves of green foliage and flowers of red, pink, gold and lavender tones breathe a sense of hope and prosperity.
“The arch is a tribute to our industry and the unsung heroes – I hear their stories and get emotional because I want to make a difference to their lives too,” Miriklis-Pavlou says.
“It’s a salute for all of us to get back out there and celebrate what’s possible in Melbourne. It’s a chance to celebrate our landmarks and what makes our city great.”
Miriklis-Pavlou would love to see the floral installations become a permanent part of Melbourne’s spring calendar events. “I’d love this to become a bit like the Chelsea Flower show on steroids,” she says.
“It definitely should be an annual event to celebrate our industry and the talent that exists in Victoria. It’s a chance to show off Melbourne by spending on floral decor.”
