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...

Event Report by Coral Hiscock The U3A Gardening Interest Group were offered attendance at a plant propagation workshop. Two workshops were undertaken on the 16th March by Andrew Parker at his home in Canadian.   Attendees were shown around Andrew's garden, discussing and speaking of plants that were propagated, planted out and have spectacularly formed into a very colourful and quite unique garden. Andrew spoke on different ways to propagate, using cuttings from all types of plants including creeping or border plants, layering of small conifer type plants, succulents and many more.   The weather, watering, pests and other issues were discussed by the group and best practice care for young plants once propagation had taken place was interesting and welcoming for successful planting.   Andrew then demonstrated; with the attendees undertaking, how to make small newspaper pots, lining them in trays with soil, then potting up the cuttings. Some of the cutting...

Event Report by Kerren Melgaard Today was a surprise. My third visit to a garden designed for a dry climate, this time at the end of summer, held an expectation of a parched ground with withered flora, brown and grey being the colour palette. Not so. Fresh green growth on eucalypts, red on proteas and a dazzling display of colour from kangaroo paw, ericas and eremophilas to name a few. This volunteer-led garden is a two decade “work in progress” featuring Australian native plants and those from countries such as South Africa and America which tolerate low water conditions. John, our guide, showed us how this once industrial wasteland, with the vision, planning and hard work of many volunteers, can be converted into a place where both people and wildlife can enjoy.   Mounds of bare earth become mounds with paths, which become themed garden beds. Public funding and local council support along with external expertise, have also helped bring this open garden from “a good idea” to nat...