Melton Botanic Gardens

Event No 1

 By Madelene O'Halloran & Andrew Parker

Twenty members of the Gardening Interest Group had their first garden visit on Tuesday 4th February to the Melton Botanic Gardens.  

After gathering at the designated meeting point, Andrew welcomed everyone and then set about organising the carpooling which went off without a hitch. Passengers contributed to travel costs which was ably collected by Bill who then compensated the drivers involved.  

The Friends of the Melton Botanic Gardens provided morning tea on our arrival followed by a guided tour of these very interesting gardens.   John Bentley, the President of the Friends of The Melton Botanic Gardens, lead the tour and amazed us with his extensive knowledge. 

We were also amazed at how much had been achieved in such a relatively short time and exclusively by volunteer labour. Most of what we saw had been achieved in the past ten years.  

The gardens feature plants that tolerate dry climates, low water conditions and house a nationally registered collection of more than 100 species of Eucalypt with many understorey native plant species.  The gardens have been designed to feature plant species from Southern Africa, Western & South Australia, California, Central & South America, Indigenous Garden and a Plant Nursery. There are magnificent old River Red Gums and a large lake with BBQ facilities.  

Many of us bought tubestock from the extensive range, which had all been raised by the volunteers. 

It was a very successful outing for the group whose next outing will be to Lambley Gardens & Nursery at Ascot, on 3rd March. 

Photo's by Andrew Parker 
(Click on first photo for slide show)