Parks’ staff from Bathurst Regional Council have been busy in recent weeks, planting a range of new annuals capable of handling the extremes of the harsh local climate.  

The new display is expected to be looking bloomin’ marvellous by about July, but the aim is to keep them in place through until the Spring Spectacular open garden weekend on October 29 and 30.

Regarded as one of the showpieces of the local streetscape, the parks in the central business district are certainly highly regarded by locals and visitors.

According to a spokesperson from council, the focus for Kings Parade this season will be a profusion of pansies and poppies.

“The Red Flanders poppies have been planted around the Boer War Memorial, but there will also be a variety of different coloured pansies as well as Iceland poppies, also in a range of colours. However, the over riding planting will be of pansies,” the spokesperson said.

“Machattie Park will be planted out in coming weeks and there’s more variety for that location. There will also be pansies, but there’s traditional winners such as bellis, violas, primulas in the shady areas, aquilegias and calendulas, which we know can handle our cool climate.”

In the meantime, time is running out for anyone who wants to treat themselves to a visit to the Begonia House in Machattie Park.

This year’s blooms have been described as some of the best on record.

The show is expected to come to an end later this month, depending on how the flowers hold up as the city moves deeper into autumn.