Like the horses and the fashion, flowers are synonymous with the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The Flemington roses, with their vibrant hues, create an iconic spectacle that lines the walkways and fills the course with a heady fragrance. This display of natural beauty is a testament to months of meticulous planning, nurturing, and artistry by Flemington's dedicated gardeners. Flemington Racecourse has the largest rose garden you'll find in the Southern Hemisphere and was first planted in the 1960s. While the yellow rose stands as an emblematic symbol of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, its association wasn't always planned.
Flemington's spectacular rose gardens are lovingly tended to all year round by Mick Ryan. It's the largest rose garden you'll find in the Southern Hemisphere and was first planted in the 1960s.
The elegant-coloured hues we see in bloom on each race day also nod to the colours you can wear each day. You'll spot red roses at the entrance from Epsom Road, yellow at the Members' Lawn and plenty of pink and coconut ice on the front lawns.
Pruning certainly can't be done in a day or few weeks either. Ryan begins at the end of April and completes the pruning process by the second week of August and is monitoring their every blooming move until Cup Week arrives.
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