02/06/24 By: Stephanie Howe
The Kalamunda Garden Festival is an exciting community event held on the first Sunday of every season (autumn, winter, spring, and summer) in Kalamunda, Western Australia.
The festival celebrates all things gardening with so much to offer…Featuring garden displays, plant sales, workshops, demonstrations, and guest speakers.
As the Winter season begins, the weather may have appeared cloudy and rainy, but that didn’t scare visitors and locals from joining in the festivities! What a successful day it turned out to be!
I arrived at the garden festival 10 minutes early, a first for me. My boyfriend and I already had our online tickets ready, so getting in was a breeze. While waiting for the gates to open, I couldn’t help but admire the vibrant gardening community surrounding me. Once the gates swung open, the array of activities and displays was overwhelming. I was immediately captivated by the beautiful “Nepenthes” (the monkey cups), until we decided it was wise to grab some food before diving into exploring the stalls and opportunities the festival offered.
The variety of food stalls was astonishing, offering numerous delicious options. Eventually, my boyfriend and I settled on a fresh, hot wood-fired pizza from “Bellissimo Pizza.” As we savoured our meal, a delightful band filled the air with live music, playing classics from INXS, Elton John, The Beatles, and more.
Replenished and with my boyfriend enjoying his hot chocolate, we set off to explore the stalls. The first one we encountered boasted an array of beautiful rustic sculptures for gardens. Then, we wandered over to the nurseries to peruse the plants on offer. Arriving early proved advantageous, allowing us to discover rare plants before the crowds swelled and they sold out rapidly.
The abundance of succulents was tempting I had to exercise restraint to not walk away with over 50 of them! However, a particular baby orchid caught my eye its vibrant purple hue was irresistible. I also couldn't resist bringing home a lovely “Syngonium pink splash” plant. As a fan of pink, the splash of pink on its leaves was simply too enchanting to leave behind.
In addition to plants, I acquired some much-needed accessories, including premium soil for my plants, a unique hand-painted pot for my new additions, and a unique upcycled mosquito coil holder made from recycled materials. There was also a talented photographer specialising in bird photography. Engaging in conversation with her while admiring her work, I couldn’t resist purchasing a striking photo of a black cockatoo.
The festival also offered an array of DIY activities for gardens and children’s fairy garden accessories. One stall featured beautifully handcrafted clay water holders, perfect for providing a drink for insects and birds in your garden.
By the end of the day, I had accumulated so many purchases that I needed a “trolley,” aka my boyfriend, who kindly carried everything for me throughout the day. Despite the cloudy weather, the gardening community thrived, and as we left in the afternoon, the festival seemed even more bustling, despite the light rain.
Guest speakers added another dimension to the event, offering insights and expertise. While dogs weren’t permitted due to park rules, my boyfriend and I were fortunate enough to meet some beautiful golden retrievers before heading home.
The event provides an opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to gather, share knowledge, explore new ideas and techniques for creating beautiful and sustainable gardens.
I highly recommend this fantastic festival to anyone in Perth who loves their garden! The next one will be held next season—make sure you don’t miss it!
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