U3A Ballarat Gardening Interest Group

  Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 21 September 1872, page 6 BARON VON MUELLER AND THE MELBOURNE BOTANIC GARDENS. It has been with great regret that we have observed from the Melbourne papers that differences, which appear to strengthen with time, have arisen between the learned head of the Botanical Department of Victoria and a section of the inhabitants of Melbourne At a distance from the locus in quo it is impossible to judge of the many small details which are im ported into an affair of this kind , but perhaps for that reason we can approach the subject with a more unbiased mind than were we cog nisant of all the smaller facts. The matter, as we gather from its leading features, stands thus. Those who aro dissatis-fied with the Baron's administration complain that the gardens oro not sufficiently ornamental, that they are deficient in flowers and general aitistic effect, and that the inhabitants of the city have not in the gardens that attractive place of public

  Event Report by Rita Holt It was perfect autumn weather on the Tuesday after Easter when sixteen of the U3A Gardening Interest Group travelled into Melbourne to join a private walking tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens.  We split into three groups so had ample opportunity to query our very knowledgeable guides.  First query - difference between 'botanic' and 'botanical' - it's all got to do with whether there's an herbarium within the gardens (it becomes a  botanic  garden if there is one).  Thanks guide David! The Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne covers 38 hectares near the Shrine of Remembrance and houses a collection of some 8,500 plant species from around the world, including diverse plant collections such as camellias, rainforest flora, cacti and succulents, Californian species, the great perennial wall, cycads and a Rare and Threatened Species Collection. There are sweeping visas, an ornamental lake and towering forest giants - including the 150-year-old