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Category: Spring

  • Melbourne Cup Flowers 2026: The Official Flower for Each Raceday

    Melbourne Cup Flowers 2026: The Official Flower for Each Raceday

    Yellow roses for Cup Day, pink for Oaks, cornflowers for Derby Day and poppies for Stakes Day. Here’s how to bring the colours of the 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival into your party, your office and your thank-you flowers.

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    Each Melbourne Cup Carnival raceday has an official flower: the blue cornflower for Derby Day (Saturday 31 October 2026), the yellow rose for Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday 3 November), the pink rose for Oaks Day (Thursday 5 November) and the red poppy for Champions Stakes Day (Saturday 7 November). For a Cup party, yellow roses are the classic choice.

    The official flower for each raceday

    The Victoria Racing Club gives each day of the Carnival its own flower, and racegoers often wear it or match their outfit to it:

    • Derby Day, Saturday 31 October: the blue cornflower, a symbol of hope and prosperity. Derby Day is also known for black-and-white fashion.
    • Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 3 November: the yellow rose.
    • Oaks Day, Thursday 5 November: the pink rose, for elegance.
    • Champions Stakes Day, Saturday 7 November: the red poppy, honouring Remembrance Day and supporting the RSL Poppy Appeal.
    Bunch of yellow roses in a glass vase by Flower Club

    Why roses? The Flemington rose garden

    Roses are part of Cup week because Flemington Racecourse is famous for them. The VRC describes it as the largest rose garden in the Southern Hemisphere, first planted in the 1960s. The gardeners prune the roses on a carefully timed program over winter so they bloom together for Cup week, and the colours echo the raceday palette: yellow on the Members’ Lawn, red at the Epsom Road entrance, and pink on the front lawns.

    Flowers for a Melbourne Cup party at home

    Not heading to Flemington? A few flowers turn a Cup Day lunch or sweep at home into an occasion.

    • Go yellow for Cup Day. A vase of yellow roses on the table is the easiest nod to the day. Add white flowers to keep it fresh.
    • Pink for an Oaks Day lunch. Soft pink roses or a blush posy suit a long, elegant lunch.
    • Black and white for Derby Day. White roses or lilies with dark foliage match the classic Derby Day dress code.
    • Keep table flowers low. Guests need to see each other, and the TV, over the top.
    • Order by 1pm. We deliver on Cup Day, so order by 1pm for same-day delivery to your party, or the day before to have flowers in place before guests arrive.
    Light pink roses in a glass vase

    Flowers for the office sweep

    Cup week is a good excuse to brighten the office. A yellow arrangement on reception or the lunch table sets the mood for the sweep, and pink or white flowers work for an Oaks Day team lunch. For regular office flowers or event flowers, see our corporate flowers.

    Thank-you flowers for your host

    Invited to a Cup marquee, a box or a friend’s party? A bunch of flowers for the host is a thoughtful thank-you. Send them the day after, so they have a fresh vase once the party is over.

    Getting flowers delivered in Melbourne during Cup week

    • Same-day delivery: order by 1pm, Monday to Saturday, for same-day delivery to addresses within 30 km of Melbourne’s CBD. See same-day delivery.
    • Free next-day delivery: anywhere in Australia, when you order by 1pm Melbourne time. See free delivery.
    • Cup Day: even though it’s a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne, we deliver on Cup Day, Tuesday 3 November.

    Melbourne Cup flower questions

    What is the official flower of the Melbourne Cup?

    The yellow rose is the official flower of Melbourne Cup Day. Each Carnival raceday has its own flower: the cornflower for Derby Day, the pink rose for Oaks Day and the red poppy for Champions Stakes Day.

    What colour do you wear on Oaks Day?

    Pink is the traditional colour for Oaks Day, and the pink rose is the day’s official flower.

    When is the Melbourne Cup in 2026?

    The Melbourne Cup is run on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at Flemington Racecourse, in the middle of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which starts with Derby Day on Saturday 31 October and ends with Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 7 November.

    Can I get flowers delivered for a Melbourne Cup party?

    Yes, including on Cup Day itself. Order by 1pm for same-day delivery within 30 km of Melbourne’s CBD, Monday to Saturday, or order the day before so the flowers are there before guests arrive.

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  • 4 Must-Have Flowers for Your Spring Garden: 2024 Edition

    4 Must-Have Flowers for Your Spring Garden: 2024 Edition

    Spring gardens are a celebration of renewal, color, and life. As we embrace the 2024 gardening season, it’s essential to select flowers that not only thrive in spring conditions but also bring beauty, fragrance, and joy to your outdoor spaces. Here’s a guide to the top 10 must-have flowers for your spring garden this year, complete with care tips and design ideas to help you create a stunning landscape.

    Spring Garden Flowers

    1. Tulips

    Description and Characteristics: Tulips are the quintessence of spring, known for their vibrant colors and elegant shapes. With over 3,000 varieties, there’s a tulip for every garden design and preference, ranging from classic reds to exotic fringed and parrot tulips.

    Varieties Popular in 2024: This year, look out for ‘Queen of Night’ with its deep maroon petals, the sunny ‘Yellow Flight’, and the striking ‘Blue Diamond’ double tulip.

    Planting Tips and Timing: Plant tulip bulbs in the fall, 6-8 inches deep, in well-draining soil and a sunny location. Consider planting in clusters or groups for a dramatic display.

    Care Instructions: Water tulips during dry spells in the fall and early spring. Once they bloom, deadhead spent flowers but leave the foliage until it turns yellow and dies back naturally.

    Companion Planting Ideas: Pair tulips with forget-me-nots for a classic spring look or with low-growing ground covers like creeping phlox to complement their tall, slender stems.

    2. Daffodils

    Description and Unique Features: Daffodils are symbols of spring’s arrival, with their cheerful yellow blooms and distinctive trumpet-shaped centers. They are also deer-resistant and can naturalize, returning year after year.

    Recommended Varieties for the Year: ‘Dutch Master’, ‘Mount Hood’, and the pink-rimmed ‘Replete’ are standout varieties for their robust blooms and adaptability.

    Tips for Planting and Initial Care: Plant daffodil bulbs in the fall, about 3-6 inches deep, in a sunny to partly sunny location. They prefer well-draining soil and can tolerate some moisture.

    How to Ensure Prolonged Blooming: Choose a mix of early, mid, and late-blooming varieties to extend the daffodil season in your garden.

    3. Hyacinths

    Hyacinths are the fragrance powerhouses of the spring garden, offering a rich, intoxicating scent alongside their dense spikes of star-shaped flowers. Available in a range of colors from soft pastels to deep blues and purples, Hyacinths add both visual and aromatic appeal to any garden setting. For 2024, varieties such as ‘Blue Jacket’, with its vibrant blue blooms, and ‘Pink Pearl’, known for its soft pink flowers, are particularly popular. Hyacinths thrive in well-drained soil and full to partial sunlight. Plant the bulbs in the fall, about 4 inches deep, ensuring they are spaced adequately to prevent overcrowding. To maintain their stunning appearance and scent, water them moderately but consistently, and keep an eye out for snails and slugs, which are attracted to their lush foliage. Hyacinths work wonderfully in borders or as part of a container garden, providing an early to mid-spring focal point.

    4. Peonies

    Peonies are the showstoppers of the late spring garden, celebrated for their lush, voluminous blooms and sweet fragrance. They come in two main types: herbaceous peonies, which die back to the ground each winter, and tree peonies, which are woody shrubs. The 2024 garden scene is enamored with varieties like ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, a classic pink double peony, and ‘Coral Charm’, which boasts semi-double coral-pink blooms that fade to a softer blush. Peonies prefer a sunny spot with well-drained soil and need to be planted in the fall. Unlike most spring flowers, peonies don’t enjoy being moved, so select their location carefully. They require little maintenance once established but benefit from a layer of mulch to keep their roots cool and moist. Peonies are perfect for creating a dramatic border or as a stunning centerpiece in a cutting garden, and their blooms make exquisite, long-lasting cut flowers.

    Incorporating Hyacinths and Peonies into your spring garden not only enhances its beauty and diversity but also extends the blooming season, ensuring that you have continuous color and fragrance from early spring through to the beginning of summer.

    Seasonal Care Tips for Spring Flowers

    Caring for spring flowers involves more than just admiring their beauty. Ensure your blooms stay vibrant and healthy throughout the season with these tips:

    • Watering: Spring flowers generally need moderate watering, especially during dry spells. However, avoid over-watering, as too much moisture can lead to bulb rot.
    • Pest and Disease Management: Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and slugs. Use environmentally friendly pest control methods whenever possible.
    • Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer early in the season to provide essential nutrients for growth and blooming.

    Designing Your Spring Garden

    Creating a visually appealing spring garden requires a bit of planning and creativity. Use the flowers from our list to inspire your garden design:

    • Color Schemes: Experiment with monochromatic schemes (various shades of a single color) or complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel) for striking visual impact.
    • Textural Contrast: Combine flowers of different sizes and shapes to add depth and interest. For example, the ruffled petals of parrot tulips contrast beautifully with the smooth, cup-shaped blooms of daffodils.
    • Thematic Gardens: Consider creating a cottage garden with a mix of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and peonies for a romantic, overflowing look, or a modern garden with carefully placed clusters of monochromatic blooms.

    Conclusion

    Spring is a time of new beginnings and nowhere is that more evident than in a blooming garden. By incorporating these must-have flowers into your 2024 spring garden, you’ll create a space that not only looks beautiful but also offers a serene retreat for you and local wildlife. Gardening is a journey of discovery and creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different plants, designs, and techniques. Here’s to a vibrant and flourishing spring garden!