Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne has recently opened a new ‘How to Garden’ to inspire and educate visitors about home gardening with native Australian plants. The garden features a selection of new plants, long seating benches, a teaching circle, a fire pit and modern educational signage.
Andrew Laidlaw, the Garden’s Landscape Architect, stated that the redevelopment has been thoughtfully planned to showcase a modern garden that emphasises biodiversity, culinary and medicinal plants, and proper plant placement. He also explained that visitors can learn about the advantages of a biodiversity-focused garden and how proper planting can attract animals and insects, such as bandicoots, native bees, native birds, and other wildlife, resulting in lush, vibrant landscapes.
The signage within the gardens and linked digital information provides gardening tips for all ages and skill levels, inspiring everyone to grow Australian natives. Visitors will also discover traditional plant uses and bush foods thanks to information developed in consultation with Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Examples of plants featured include Eremophila alternifolia (Emu Bush), which has medicinal uses, Prosthanthera incisa (Native mint) used in teas, Euclayptus polybractea, which is particularly good for its oils, Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass), a grain used for bread making, Arthropodium strictum (Chocolate Lily) and Arthropodium milleflorum (Vanilla Lily), whose tubers are eaten by First Peoples and Tasmannia xerophila subsp Robusta (the Erinunderra Pepper), which was used as a pepper seasoning.
The redevelopment was made possible by funding from the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, former Gardens director Dr Philip Moors AO, who witnessed the initial development of the Australian garden 20 years ago, and his wife, Debbie Moors.
The ‘How to Garden’ can be found at the northern end of the Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne , near the Ian Potter Lakeside Precinct and beside the Lakeside Kiosk.
Images: Courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria