How a determined English woman planted the seeds for beloved flower festival

Corbett Gardens in Bowral, once a neglected paddock, was transformed into a public garden in 1914 thanks to the efforts of Ada Corbett. Ada moved to Bowral to help her sister run a ladies college, married a naval commander, and had a daughter, but tragically lost her husband soon after. After moving to town, Ada began campaigning for the beautification of Bowral, leading to the establishment of the gardens near her home, which were initially filled with rubbish and considered an eyesore. The gardens were named after Ada in 1914, although she had already moved to Norfolk Island by then.

Tulip Time Festival, a beloved flower festival, has been held at Corbett Gardens since 1961, initiated by a Rotary Club donation of 500 bulbs. Over the years, the festival has grown to attract more than 70,000 attendees annually, becoming one of Australia's most renowned flower festivals. The festival features a variety of tulips, including 40 different varieties chosen for their unique characteristics.

However, the festival's popularity has taken a toll on the gardens, leading to deterioration under the weight of the event.

Local historian Linda Emery admires Tulip Time but avoids the gardens during the festival due to overcrowding and difficulty finding parking. She sees the festival as beneficial for the town, as it brings people to the area and highlights other attractions. Despite her love for the event, Linda avoids the gardens during the festival, citing parking issues and overcrowding.

The festival, primarily sourced from Tasmania, has seen challenges such as damage from wildlife, including cockatoos, possums, and rats, requiring constant replacement of plants and protective measures.

Horticulture crew head Fabian Monteleone jokes about the challenges, jokingly referring to himself as a "movable scarecrow" in his efforts to protect the flower beds. Despite the difficulties, Monteleone expresses pride in his work and the history of the gardens, noting that his mother walked through the area in the 1960s. He hopes that after the festival, Corbett Gardens can have a well-deserved rest for a couple of years.

A recent review of Tulip Time recommended keeping the festival at Corbett Gardens while spreading more activities across the Southern Highlands to alleviate pressure on the park. The review found that the gardens were deteriorating due to the festival's heavy foot traffic, with some trees at least 100 years old being lost, such as a beautiful crab apple that fell in a storm. This emphasizes the need for future generations to enjoy the park's centrepieces.