Tiptoe through Ascot’s tulips

SPRING is the time for blossom trees, cooler climates, and Lambley Gardens and Nursery’s annual tulip display.

With about 8000 tulips at their Ascot site expected to last for another week, staff member Patrick Hockey said everyone is invited to check them out.

“It’s free to visit and it’s a great attraction for this time of the year. Last year we had that many people coming in that one of the staff members was complaining about the noise,” he said.

“We have about 40 or 50 different varieties and colours, and they roll through for a period of about three to four weeks in total.”

The display of hybrid flowers has been running for more than six years, and averages 8000 tulips annually.

“They’re bred from the wild tulips through Turkey and surrounds, and bred be huge, grand displays. They flower in this region at the end of September into October.

“They’re planted many months earlier of course. Most are imported from the Netherlands and are sourced from up in the Dandenongs,” Mr Hockey said.

“To grow them well, they need to be in the high, elevated areas. They love and prefer the cold, so the frosty climate of Ballarat and the region is perfect for them.”

Some of the species being shown are the World Friendship, Antarctica, Saigon, Synaeda Snow, Judith Leyster and Gerrt van der Valk tulips.