Spring in Sydney, but louder. Mount Annan swaps subtle for spectacular as more than two thousand square metres ignite in pinks, whites and sun-bright yellows. A million seeds, netted from beaky ducks, bloom into a short, glorious fling with colour. It’s free, family-friendly, and worth the early start.
Video
Video Credit: Botanic Gardens of Sydney (YouTube, 8 Oct 2019) — a one-minute look at how the horticulture team sow, net and raise WA paper daisies for the spring display.
Location
Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
Address: 362 Narellan Road, Mount Annan NSW 2567
Website: www.botanicgardens.org.au
Dates & Hours
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Season: Spring annual display (peak colour typically early–mid September)
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Garden Hours: September 8am–5pm; October 8am–7pm
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Display Area: Connections Garden (near the Visitor Centre)
Price
Free entry to the Gardens and the daisy display.
The BioHax Take
Not a polite flowerbed; a living gradient engineered by plant nerds with patience. The result feels like a native confetti storm across a roofless museum. Blink and you’ll miss it — which is exactly why it pulls a crowd.
What You’ll See
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Main sweep of pink & white Rhodanthe chlorocephala
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Smaller pockets of Rhodanthe manglesii (rounded foliage, bell-like blooms)
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Vivid yellow Schoenia filifolia
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All staged as a colour-shifted carpet across the Connections Garden
Guided Tours: Connections Garden
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When: Fridays (spring & autumn)
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Time: 11:00am–12:15pm (75 mins)
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Meet: Visitor Centre, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
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Price: By donation
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Contact: tours.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au
Eat & Drink
The Gardens Café — on-site coffee and bites with garden views.
Hours: 8:30am–4:00pm daily (phone 4647 4145).
Who It’s For
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Families and pram crews chasing a free nature hit
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Amateur botanists, macro-lens tragics and colour chasers
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Sydney day-trippers who want “wow” without the mountain hike
Grow Your Own (Home Garden Tips)
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Sow in autumn as soil cools; plants bulk roots over winter, flower in spring
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Soil mix: washed river sand + quality potting mix; weed-free beds
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Broadcast: ~3g seed/m² (1g/m² for Brachyscome) mixed through sand/compost
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Water: keep surface moist until germination (~1 week); protect from snails
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Feed: general liquid fertiliser every 3 weeks once 10–15 cm tall
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Flowering window: usually Sept–Nov, depending on sowing time
Photo credit: Botanic Gardens of Sydney. A mass of pink and white paper daisies in full bloom at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan’s Connections Garden.
Species You Can Grow
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Rosy Everlasting — Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea: star-pink fading to white, ~50 cm
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Sunrays — Rhodanthe manglesii (“Mangles Everlasting”/“Silver Bells”): blue-green foliage, nodding silky bells, ~50 cm
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Showy Everlastings — Schoenia filifolia: vivid yellow, superb massed
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Swan River Daisy — Brachyscome iberidifolia: low, purple to white; great for tubs/borders
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Golden Everlasting — Xerochrysum bracteatum: classic long-lasting cut flower; notable cultivars include ‘Cockatoo’, ‘Diamond Head’, ‘Dargan Hill Monarch’, ‘Golden Bowerbird’
Photography Notes
Morning light > harsh midday. Stay on paths; the colour gradient reads best from the higher walkways around the Connections Garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free?
Yes, entry to both the Gardens and the daisy display is free.
Where exactly is the display?
In the Connections Garden near the Visitor Centre.
When is peak colour?
Typically early to mid-September, weather dependent.
Are tours available?
Yes—Friday tours (spring & autumn), 11:00am–12:15pm, by donation.
Is it good for kids?
Absolutely. Wide paths, open lawns and lots of colour.
Can I bring a pram?
Yes. Paths around the Connections Garden are pram-friendly.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs on leads are generally allowed in many areas; check on-site signage.
Is there food/coffee on site?
Yes—the Gardens Café (8:30am–4:00pm daily).
Is parking available?
Yes—on-site parking areas; arrive early on peak days.
Can I buy plants?
Check the Growing Friends plant sales at Mount Annan during spring.
Related Reads:
→ Floriade Canberra 2025
→ Tulip Time Flower Festival Bowral 2025
→ Moon Festival at the Chinese Garden of Friendship 2025
→ Monster Jump Sydney 2025
→ Sculpture by the Sea Bondi 2025
Article originally published: 25 September 2025, by Editor
