The Gardens Magazine - Spring 2023, Issue 138

FROM TOTEMS TO TEACUPS

ARTISANS

25

Tree waratah

Alloxylon flammeum

The tree waratah – also known as pink silky oak and Queensland waratah – from the Proteaceae family, is a large, evergreen flowering tree from northeastern Queensland rainforest areas and one of the most spectacular of all Australian native plants. Found on the Atherton Tablelands at altitudes of 700–820 m above sea level, the tree waratah grows to 25 m, although in cultivation 10 m is more likely. It has shiny green, elliptical leaves up to 18 cm long and showy orange-red inflorescences that appear from August to October, followed by rectangular woody seed pods that ripen in February and March. The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to birds, especially parrots, who see colour in the red and orange spectrum. In addition to A. flammeum, there are two other Australian species in the genus – A. wickhamii from North Queensland and A. pinnatum from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

A. flammeum is listed nationally as vulnerable under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and was put on the Red List of Threatened Plants by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1997. Most of the tree’s habitat has been cleared for agriculture and logging with under 2 per cent of its original extent remaining, and it is now thought there are more plants in cultivation than in the wild.

At Mount Annan, you can see this tree in Beds 3 and 16 in the Connections Garden – the tree in Bed 3, across from the Visitors Centre, can be appreciated in all its glory from the middle of spring. Recently, in May 2023, a new tree was planted at Mount Annan on the Lakeside Lawn as a token of 40 years’ collaboration between the Botanic Gardens and Foundation & Friends.

In 2002, volunteer Janet Snodgrass and former director Tim Entwisle planted a now-towering tree waratah outside the Brown Building at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Foundation & Friends volunteer movement. Carol Griesser, Growing Friends, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

Photo: Glenn Smith

CONTENTS

FEATURES

6 Denise Ora reports on the International Garden Expo held in Suncheon, South Korea

13 Lord Howe Island Protecting the island’s amazing native flora

18 Artisans in the Gardens See the exciting work of 46 artists at this year’s exhibition

29 Australian Watercolour Institute

The AWI holds their annual exhibition at the Gardens for the first time

GARDENS NEWS

4 Restoration and reconciliation

The Stolen Generations Memorial at Mount Annan is repaired by Uncle Badger Bates

12 John Siemon reports on the new Camellia Garden at Mount Tomah and other projects

28 Raoul de Ferranti reflects on 25 years of Growing Friends

IN EACH ISSUE

7 Books Reviews and the chance to win

8 Artefact The radical 17th-century botanist, herbalist, physician and astrologer Nicholas Culpeper

10 Travel Exciting new Friends’ tours

16 First Person Meet Jarryd Kelly, new Curator Manager Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Domain

25 Plants Tips on what to look out for this spring

30 What’s on Your guide to activities and events

Artisan Tracy Luff pictured with her totemic work The Different Ones

SPRING UPDATE

STOLEN GENERATIONS MEMORIAL RESTORATION

The Stolen Generations has long been a focal issue for Aboriginal reconciliation in Australia, with plans for a Stolen Generations Memorial instigated back in 2003. After a number of years of planning and community consultation, a vision for a unique memorial was envisaged to create a place of peace, harmony and reflection dedicated to all Children of the Stolen Generations. In partnership with Link-Up (NSW), the NSW Stolen Generations Advisory Committee and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, a commitment was made to construct a memorial at the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan.

A suitable site was selected in a pristine section of the critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland. The site enabled visitors to experience the memorial as a journey of healing and reflection in the form of a walk through the forest via a series of boardwalks, leading to a meeting place with water and a sculpture space.

In 2007, renowned Aboriginal sculptor Uncle Badger Bates carved the memorial from local sandstone. The sculptural centrepiece featured an Aboriginal family, highlighting the tragic consequences of the separation of Aboriginal children from their parents. A quiet and contemplative space in the woodland, the memorial incorporates the sound of water to convey a ‘river of tears’ for the lives touched by this era of Australia’s history.

Sadly, in February 2020, an act of vandalism saw the memorial sculpture defaced and the community shocked and saddened. After a great deal of community consultation and a pandemic delaying restoration efforts, Uncle Badger Bates and his wife, Aunty Sarah Martin, returned to the garden recently and spent time with Dharawal Elders and community to restore the sculpture.

Uncle Badger shared his experience with us recently where he said: ‘I feel really honoured to have been able to return to Mount Annan and repair the sculpture. I hold this sculpture very

dear and it is special to me because of what it represents and my own family story. I would like to thank the staff and the Stolen Generation Committee for their support. It is such a magic place to be, in the forest with the birds and trees. The sculpture had so much power, it carved itself, or showed me how to carve it. All I did was hold the hammer and chisel, the stone did the rest. The little boy is especially dear to me, and he gave me guidance – fix me, fix my sister, then my mother, then my father. I added a small rockpool on the rocks near the pool; it is an extra teardrop for the pain the sculpture suffered. I feel the sculpture will continue to bring people together in this beautiful place.’

It’s hard to comprehend how Uncle Badger was able to restore the sculptural centrepiece given the extent of the damage. Through his talents and fresh eyes, the sculpture is better than ever and has re-established the memorial as a place of reconciliation, reflection and healing.

John Siemon, Director of Horticulture & Living Collections

Photos: John Siemon, Meredith Kirton, Harrison Sarasola

Unveiling the restored Stolen Generations Memorial at National Sorry Day on 26 May

WELCOME IN 2024 AT OUR UNIQUE NEW YEAR’S EVE PICNIC AND SUPPORT YOUR BOTANIC GARDENS

Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens have been welcoming in the New Year in style since 1996. Overlooking Farm Cove on the picturesque Mare and Foal Lawn, the New Year’s Eve Picnic is a highlight for our members, donors, volunteers and others within our community. Importantly, it is Foundation & Friends’ biggest fundraising event of the year.

At our last picnic we introduced entertainment for the kids (and adults!) and bean bag hire for lucky early ticket buyers. Attendees were delighted to not have to decant their drinks into plastic bottles as in previous years. No other event allows you to picnic so close to the incredible fireworks.

The election of the current New South Wales Government means there will be some changes to the New Year’s Eve events. Once confirmed, tickets will be on sale for members and their guests. Prices are expected to start at just $170.

Members will be the first to be advised once tickets are available. For those without current membership, bundle packages will be available, combining either individual or household membership of Foundation & Friends with tickets to the picnic. Members can purchase up to a total of 10 adult tickets. The self-catered picnic, which runs from 5 pm – 12.15 am, is perfect for all ages, and is one of the few events where BYO food and alcohol is permitted. Happy New Year!

Meredith Kirton, Marketing and Communications Manager

CEO’S REPORT

The work of the Botanic Gardens is not cheap. While we can call on Government to, at a minimum, maintain core funding, there is always more to do. At Foundation & Friends, our members, volunteers and staff work extremely hard to raise funds for the Botanic Gardens. In doing this, we not only fund amazing research and help develop great new facilities, we build a community that supports and defends your Botanic Gardens.

In May and June there were numerous articles in the Sydney Morning Herald focusing on the wonderful Lightscape experience. The main theme of these pieces was to highlight the costs of tickets in a ‘park’ that generally would be free.

This series of articles, and the resulting contributions of political leaders that would normally be our friends, made it clear that there is a lot of work to do to build a clear understanding of the work of your Botanic Gardens. As our own community deeply appreciates, the Gardens are much more than a ‘park’. It plays a vital role in global plant conservation, tackles the impacts of climate change on threatened species and educates our future generations on the importance of biodiversity.

No doubt ‘commercialisation’ at times makes some of our members and donors uncomfortable, and the Gardens needs to get the balance right. We play an important advocacy role in ensuring everything that happens in each of the three Botanic Gardens is of longer-term benefit to their core mission. When the balance is right, not only are there more funds for research and horticulture, but entire new audiences get to enjoy these incredible places.

An example of an activity bringing in new people to the Gardens is our much-loved Growing Friends Plant Sales. Almost entirely run by volunteers and expanding every year, this program not only raises significant funds for Foundation & Friends, it allows people to take home a part of the Gardens.

This spring, our Growing Friends program turns 25. I would like to thank the many incredible volunteers, past and present, for the dedication, time and skill that you bring to this program. The program is not just a group of Friends and volunteers, it is a family of shared values and passion. And this family knows more than most that your amazing Botanic Gardens are worth fighting for.

Peter Thomas

GARDEN CONFERENCE, SOUTH KOREA

I was recently honoured to speak at the International Garden Expo Conference held in Suncheon, South Korea. The event brought together industry experts, government agencies and students from South Korea specialising in agriculture, horticulture, botanic science, forestry and much more, to discuss the history and changing trends of botanic gardens in our modern society and the important role they play in Nature Positive outcomes.

Throughout the conference, I had the opportunity to share insights on the history of botanic gardens, as well as a vision for their future in a time when sustainability and conservation are key priorities. I touched on how botanic gardens have evolved to become more eco-friendly, sustainable and accessible to a wider audience. I also highlighted how they have become global conservation powerhouses.

Aside from the conference, I also visited Busan and Ulsan to witness some of the most beautiful gardens in South Korea. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the conservation wetlands in Suncheon. It was a breathtaking

experience to see these wetlands and how they are conserved to protect the natural environment.

I was also extremely honoured to be joined by industry experts Clare Matterson CBE, Director General Royal Horticultural Society UK, and Dr Stephan Gale, Director Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden Hong Kong. I even participated in the ribboncutting ceremony opening the Suncheon International Garden Expo.

To top it all off, Clare, Stephan and I appeared on Korean TV. My sincere thanks to Dr Junkyu Bae, Garden Research Centre Director Korea National Arboretum, and Choi-Young-Tae, Director General Korea Forest Service, for this wonderful opportunity.

By building international connections, we can learn from each other, collaborate on research and, ultimately, work towards achieving greater success in the important mission of environmental stewardship.

I look forward to continuing these conversations and collaborations, and to sharing more of the valuable insights and knowledge that I have gained from my visit.

Denise Ora, Chief Executive

2023 SHIRLEY SHERWOOD AWARD FOR BOTANICAL ART

Australian artist Beverly Allen and writer, botanist and philanthropist Dr Shirley Sherwood met up recently in Italy for the presentation of this year’s Shirley Sherwood Award for Botanical Art.

Dr Shirley Sherwood presents an annual award of £10,000 to an artist who has made a significant and broad contribution to the field of contemporary botanical art.

This year’s winner, Beverly, is a spectacular artist with bold and confident compositions. Full of clarity, vivid colour and stunning detail, her paintings beautifully capture the splendour of the natural world and have earned her both the Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal and the inaugural Gold Medal for Botanical Art by the New York Botanical Garden.

Beverly co-founded the Florilegium Society at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. She is also an Honorary Member of the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society and The Botanical Art Society of Australia, as well as a Patron of the Hampton Court Palace Florilegium Society.

Many will remember Beverly made headlines with her stunning Strelitzia painting, acquired by Dr Sherwood at Botanica: The Art of the Plant in 2004, which was chosen for the cover of Dr Sherwood’s latest book, Modern Masterpieces of Botanical Art. This work, along with a recent Strelitzia nicolai, will grace the walls of the Shirley Sherwood Gallery over the coming year.

From the Shirley Sherwood Award Facebook page

Dr Shirley Sherwood (left) and Beverly Allen (right)

Visiting the beautiful Suncheon wetlands

Photos: Denise Ora, Shirley Sherwood Gallery

THE MEMORY OF TREES: THE FUTURE OF EUCALYPTS AND OUR HOME AMONG THEM

Viki Cramer

Thames & Hudson Australia

RRP $34.99

The Memory of Trees will make you look anew at the trees and environments that sustain us and show the many ways that, together, we can ensure their future. Most Australians see their world through eucalypts. From towering forests to straggly woodlands, in city parks, by the coast and in the bush, these are the trees that inhabit our familiar landscapes and national psyche. Yet the resilience of our eucalypt ecosystems is being tested by logging and land clearing, disease and drought, fire and climate change. In many places they are a faded remnant of those known by past generations. How important is the memory of these trees? In search of answers, Viki Cramer takes us on a journey through the richest botanical corner of the continent, exploring forests of rugged jarrah and majestic karri, woodlands of enduring salmon gum and burnished-bark gimlet. Spending time with the people caring for these precious places, she interrogates the decisions of the past, takes a measure of the present and glimpses hope for the landscapes of tomorrow.

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A BOOK

WHAT BIRDO IS THAT?: A FIELD GUIDE TO BIRD-PEOPLE

Libby Robin

Melbourne University Press

RRP $40

Not your average field guide! The idea that a bird is good news and needs all our support is probably the only thing amateur birdos, professional zoologists and ‘birdscapers’ (people who redesign their gardens to support birdlife) have in common. But together they form a community that cares about the future of birds and their habitats and is working to heal the damage wrought by those who don’t notice birds. The stories in What Birdo is That? come from wild places – at sea as well as on the land – from dusty archives, from restoration projects, gardens and urban wastelands. They are human stories, but the birds interject and interrupt any self-important anthropocentrism. They educate. They counter the imperialism of the ever-expanding economies of the new millennium. They turn up in unexpected places, giving surprise and joy. This field guide to Australia’s bird-people provides a basis for understanding the complex relationship between people and birds in a land of extremes at the forefront of changing climate and habitats.

Foundation & Friends has a few copies of What Birdo is That? and The Memory of Trees to give away. To be in the running, contact foundation. friends@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au or write to Letters, Foundation & Friends, Cottage 6, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 by 8 September. Be sure to include your contact details, current membership number and which book you would like to receive. Winners of the giveaway in our Winter 2023 edition are as follows: Anne Campbell, Colleen Chin, Maureen Fitzsimmons, Margaret Love, Judith Potter, Janelle Roache, Janelle Speight and Sue Threlfall.

EAT YOUR FLOWERS: A COOKBOOK

Loria Stern

HarperCollins

RRP $90

You have probably been told to ‘eat your greens’, but I wonder how many times you have been sent to forage flowers for your supper? In this endlessly creative book, Loria Stern invites you to take advantage of the edible bounty of flowers, providing both her own recipes and the knowledge on how to incorporate botanicals into any dish. Loria shares how to get brilliantly colourful results from all-natural ingredients, such as a gorgeous amethyst spread made from wilted purple cabbage blended with nuts, which turns bright pink with the squeeze of a lemon. She incorporates natural plant dusts, pressed and fresh blooms, and vibrant herbs and veggies into her cooking for whimsical, gorgeous and nourishing meals. Loria has been celebrated in Vogue, the New York Times and Harper’s Bazaar. All courses are covered, so you can cook with floral ingredients for every meal and let your creativity blossom!

BOOKWORM BARGAINS

Love a good read? We’re offering 30% off all Thames & Hudson (and distributed partner titles sitewide) until 30 September 2023. Enter code

FOUNDATIONANDFRIENDS30 at checkout to apply. T&Cs: Discount code valid until 30.9.23. Discount code available to Australian and New Zealand addresses only, excluding PO boxes. Free shipping for all orders over $50.

THE PEOPLE’S HERBALIST

THE DANIEL SOLANDER LIBRARY HOLDS MANY WORKS ON MEDICINAL BOTANY, INCLUDING WORKS BY

NICHOLAS CULPEPER,

THE RADICAL 17TH-CENTURY ENGLISH HERBALIST,

PHYSICIAN

AND ASTROLOGER. MIGUEL GARCIA REPORTS.

Culpeper was born in 1616 to a country clergyman but his father soon died and he was raisied by his mother and maternal grandfather, another clergyman. He was taught Latin and Greek, the languages of the Church and learned men in general. Culpeper had access to his grandfather’s well-stocked library, indulging in his interest in medicine and astrology, which was indelibly tied to the practice of medicine at the time. From his grandmother he learned about medicinal plants and herbs. He would go on, throughout his life, spending time in the countryside cataloguing medicinal plants. At 16 he went to Cambridge to further his studies and thereafter was apprenticed to an apothecary.

During this time, Culpeper was influenced by the radical preacher John Goodwin, who said no authority was above question. Culpeper became a radical republican and opposed the secretive, elitist brand of medicine enforced by the powerful College of Physicians.

At the age of 24 Culpeper married into a wealthy family, which allowed him to establish a pharmacy just outside London, obtaining his herbal supplies from the nearby countryside, cataloguing hundreds of outdoor medicinal herbs at a time when medical facilities in London were at breaking point. Culpeper believed that ‘no man

deserved to starve to pay an insulting, insolent physician’ and provided his services free of charge to poor and struggling families and individuals. His willingness to examine patients in person rather than simply examining their urine – as was the practice at the time – kept him very busy, sometimes seeing as many as 40 patients in a single morning. He used a combination of his botanical knowledge, experience and astrology, devoting himself to using plants to treat his patients.

It was at this time that Culpeper’s strong dislike for authority blossomed.

Nicholas Culpeper, line engraving, 1817

He wrote pamphlets against King Charles I, the clergy, lawyers and, most importantly, the College of Physicians.

He scolded his peers for some of the methods they used in herbal medicine: ‘This not being pleasing, and less profitable to me, I consulted with my two brothers, Dr. Reason and Dr. Experience, and took a voyage to visit my mother Nature, by whose advice, together with the help of Dr. Diligence, I at last obtained my desire; and, being warned by Mr. Honesty, a stranger in our days, to publish it to the world, I have done it.’

During the upheaval of the English Civil War, the College of Physicians was unable to enforce its ban on the publication of medical texts, and Culpeper chose to publish his translations of the learned medical texts of the time in vernacular English as self-help medical guides for use by the poor, who could not afford to consult physicians. He followed this with a manual on childbirth and with his main work, The English Physician, which was deliberately sold cheaply and became a staple of the New England Puritan household. It also became available in colonial America and has been continuously in print since the 17th century.

Culpeper saw medicine as an asset to the world at large, rather than a professional or commercial secret. He vehemently disapproved of the exorbitant prices physicians charged

Photos: Biodiversity Heritage Library/Wikimedia Commons

‘Culpeper's English Physician provided a handy index of ailments and ingredients, making it easy to find the correct plant for a cure.’

when there was cheap, universal medicine provided by nature in every field, wood, riverbank, or readily cultivated in gardens. He felt that the use of Latin, together with high fees charged by doctors, lawyers and priests, worked to disempower the public.

In his book The English Physician (later called Culpeper’s Complete Herbal), published in 1652, Culpeper challenged the principle that medical knowledge was proprietorial and belonged solely to the medical profession. As Culpeper himself wrote: ‘... having published in print such a treatise of Herbs and Plants as my Country men may readily make use of, for their own preservation of health or cure of diseases […] that so by the help of my book they may cure themselves, and never beholding to such Physitians [sic] as the inquiry of these times affords.’

Culpeper made medical treatments more accessible to laypersons, educating them about maintaining their health. His drive was to reform medicine by questioning tradition and exploring

new solutions for ill health. Culpeper’s systematic popularisation of the use of herbals was a key development in the evolution of modern pharmaceuticals, which even today some 70 per cent derive their origins from.

In his works, Culpeper described many plants and their medical uses, such as foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), the botanical precursor to the drug digitalis used to treat heart conditions. Another example was dittany (Dictamnus albus), which could be used as an abortifacient to induce labour, as a treatment for poisoned weapons, and to draw out splinters and broken bones. He also describes the use of ‘fleabane’ (Conyza bonariensis), for bites from ‘venomous beasts’, and its smoke for killing gnats and fleas, but notes its danger to pregnant women. Also mentioned is hellebore (Helleborus orientalis), which causes sneezing if ground and inhaled and is used for killing rodents if mixed with food. Today hellebore is known to contain poisonous alkaloids – cardiac glycosides in the roots and ranunculin and protoanemonin, especially in the leaves and sap.

Culpeper emphasised reason rather than tradition, though we must remember he lived in a post-Renaissance world whose respect for the ancient works of Greece and Rome struggled with the beginnings of modern scientific methodology. Though it sounds odd today, Culpeper used astrological herbalism. Pairing plants and diseases with planetary influences, countering illnesses with nostrums that were paired with an opposing planetary influence, his work was considered to be ‘cutting-edge’.

Culpeper’s English Physician provided a handy index of ailments and ingredients, making it easy to find the correct plant for a cure. The work’s success and popularity was also partly due to its style – funny, rude, and full of polemics against the established order.

It is no wonder that Culpeper’s radicalism attracted reprisals and, in the early months of the English Civil War, he was accused of witchcraft and the Society of Apothecaries tried to rein in his practice.

He enlisted with the Parliamentary army in 1643 and was wounded badly but partially recovered, finally dying from tuberculosis in 1654.

Illustrations from Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, 1814

TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS

EXCITING ITINERARIES AND FULLY GUIDED TOURS THAT WILL TAKE YOU TO FASCINATING BOTANICAL PLACES AROUND THE WORLD – ALL WHILE SUPPORTING YOUR BOTANIC GARDENS.

For more information or to book please contact us at foundation.friends@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au

NEW CALEDONIA

4–16 November 2023

Grade: Introductory*

SAVE * $1000**

Accommodation: 12 nights (with three-night optional extension available for additional cost) French influences, a novel overlap of cultures, and a wonderful chance to explore the island’s rare and unique plants, make this trip a must. The geology and isolation have created endemic landscapes like none other. Taste an array of French and tropical flavours in the cuisine or trek to an isolated beach far from the tourist trail. We also visit the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, a monumental interpretation of the island’s traditional architecture, and there is an optional extension available to the Isle of Pines.

Price: from $8890pp

twin share, land content only

Escort: Botanist Dr Peter Weston was named one of Traveller’s ‘Heroes of Travel’ and is a former Senior Principal Research Scientist at the National Herbarium of New South Wales.

*These adventures are not suitable for people with limited mobility. They are designed for participants with a reasonable level of fitness and competent swimming ability. Some days may be quite active and involve steep walks. Prepare with regular moderate exercise. **Discounted price varies on group size.

Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre

Xeronema moorei overlooking the Pacific Ocean

View from Kanua Tera Ecolodge, Port Boise

SINGAPORE

Early August 2024

Expressions of Interest

Timed to coincide with the Singapore Garden Festival, this trip explores more than Gardens by the Bay and orchids. Known as the Garden City, policy like LUSH (Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises) means all new development removing greenery must replace it, leading to incredible rooftop gardens and vertical walls. Food security concerns have also led to creative solutions like market gardens on rooftops and the world’s tallest kitchen garden. Join us as we explore biophilic design at its best and groundbreaking horticulture.

CERAMICS & TEA CULTURE OF JAPAN

May 2024 with Relle Mott

Member price: from $9900pp twin share, land content

NAMIBIA AND SOUTH AFRICA

Spring 2024

Expressions of Interest

This tour will feature the starkly beautiful desert landscapes and fascinating arid-adapted flora of the Namib Desert, mass flowerings of intensely coloured Namaqualand daisies and the mind-boggling botanical diversity of the Cape Floristic Region. Starting at the Namibian capital, Windhoek, we will travel south to visit the Swartkops River valley, home of the ‘miraculous’ Welwitschia mirabilis, the giant sand dunes of Sossusvlei, and the vast

Fish River Canyon. Crossing into South Africa, we will travel through the flowering deserts of Namaqualand and Nieuwoudtville to the Cape Fold Belt and its spectacular fynbos shrublands, as far as the Cape of Good Hope, having explored the national parks and botanic gardens of Cape Town’s ruggedly scenic hinterland. An optional extension will take us on a flight to Limpopo province in north-eastern South Africa to view the spectacular wildlife of the Greater Kruger National Park and the scenic wonders of the northern Drakensberg mountains. Escort: Dr Peter Weston

BHUTAN’S RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL & MORE

April 2025

Expressions of Interest

Grade: Moderate*

Accommodation: 12 nights

The itinerary is still being finalised for this 13-day tour − led by the highly experienced Relle Mott –but it is sure to include a range of interesting botanical experiences in local villages and have a strong focus on local history. As well as experiencing pristine Himalayan scenery, guests will also visit Bhutan’s annual Rhododendron Festival. This tour is likely to fill quickly so please register your interest now.

Photos: imageBROKER/Michael Runkel, Peter Cuneo, Meredith Kirton, Peter Weston, World Expeditions

Oasia Hotel, Singapore

Namaqua National Park, Nambia

Tiger’s Nest Monastry, Bhutan

Japan is home to around 30,000 Inari shrines

ONE SPOT LEFT

CAMELLIA GARDEN AND OTHER PROJECTS

JOHN SIEMON, DIRECTOR

OF HORTICULTURE & LIVING COLLECTIONS, UPDATES US ON NEW ADDITIONS TO THE GARDENS AND A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AWARD.

Winter is often a time where our horticulture teams regroup, with the favourable La Niña weather pattern stretching teams over the last few years. This year our teams have been busy designing and developing a range of new or refurbished areas across each of the Garden estates, which we very much look forward to revealing over the next few months.

At the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, we have been designing some enhancements to the area surrounding the De Ferranti Pavilion. While we finalise this project, the Horticulture team have started on the construction of a dedicated Camellia Garden, made possible through a generous bequest from Stephen Jupp. A major refurbishment of the Formal Garden has also begun, with the assistance of perennial garden designer Ralph Bristow.

At the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, we are putting the finishing touches to the wonderful new Amphitheatre adjacent to the Herb Garden. The horticulturists are refurbishing the three entry beds at the Conservatorium Gate. Designs are under development for

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

Bed 80 in the Rose Garden, to display heritage and species roses. Also a design for Bed 60 in the Middle Garden, will expand our significant collection of Theaceae species, which will include the tea and flowering forms of camellias.

At the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, a major refurbishment of the area adjacent to the P3 Carpark and amenities has been completed.

I’m also thrilled to announce that the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney recently won an Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) 2023 Landscape

Refurbishment of

Architecture Award for the National Herbarium of New South Wales construction under the ‘Health and Education Landscape’ category. I’d like to commend Sitthichat (Sitty) Bamrung for his exceptional work designing the construction and collaborating with the builders and architects to produce such a refined design. My sincere appreciation to the entire Horticulture and Living Collections and Asset Management, Planning and Projects teams for their incredible efforts translating Sitty’s vision into reality.

LEAVE A GIFT TO THE BOTANIC GARDENS OF SYDNEY IN YOUR WILL.

IT WILL BE YOUR GIFT FOR THE FUTURE.

A bequest is the most personal gift you can give. It is an extraordinary act of generosity and a way to make a significant difference beyond your lifetime. Your legacy will help to preserve and sustain the Gardens as places for education, scientific research and outstanding horticultural beauty for tomorrow’s generations.

For a confidential conversation, scan the QR code or contact 02 9231 8182 to find out more.

the area next to P3 Carpark, Mount Annan

LORD HOWE ISLAND

In early June I was lucky enough to spend five days on Lord Howe Island to conduct some fieldwork and survey for the presence of invasive pathogens. This island – only about 16 km2 in size – is an absolutely amazing place, filled with unique flora and fauna that are found nowhere else in the world, in a stunning landscape that does bring to mind scenes from Jurassic Park. This uniqueness is reflected by the island’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of global natural significance.

The island is home to a surprisingly large number of plant species from such a small area – with more than 100 species and subspecies that are endemic to the island. Some are well known, such as the two species of kentia palms (Howea forsteriana and H. belmoreana), which are grown around the world, and the Lord Howe Island banyan (Ficus macrophylla f. columnaris), a magnificent fig that

covers huge areas, which you may know from a couple of great specimens in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

PROTECTING NATIVE FAUNA

Sadly, for much of recent history there have been numerous extinctions of endemic animals – especially birds –from Lord Howe Island. Most of these species have been predated upon by introduced feral animals, such as pigs, goats, cats, rats and mice. While these feral animals had a negative impact on the flora of the island, fortunately it was not to the extent seen in the fauna.

Efforts to eradicate feral animals have been a focus on management of the island’s biodiversity for decades. Included in this has been one of the largest efforts worldwide to eradicate an exotic pest that has taken place over the past 10 years with the Rodent Eradication Project, which has seen the eradication of rats and mice from the island. This has had a major positive

impact on both the flora and fauna, with several species bouncing back in numbers – the most obvious of which has been the Lord Howe Island woodhen, which is now relatively common and something of a constant companion while doing any fieldwork.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE

Consequently, biosecurity is a critical concern to the Lord Howe Island Board. After landing, as soon as you alight from the plane from Sydney you are met with delightful biosecurity dogs to check that you are not carrying any plant or animal products, followed by a requirement to use foot baths and alcohol sprays to ensure that any exotic diseases are not brought onto the island. Certainly everywhere you go there are constant reminders about the importance of preventing the entry of pests and diseases, and every walking track starts with a foot bath and biosecurity station

BRETT SUMMERELL REPORTS ON THE STATE OF NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA ON LORD HOWE ISLAND AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOSECURITY. THE TEAM FROM PLANTCLINIC HAVE CONDUCTED A SURVEY TO SEARCH FOR ANY NEW INFESTATIONS OF PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT.

Photos: John Siemon, Glenn Smith, Joel Cohen

The stunning Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea is abundant with flora and fauna

‘A major operation was put into place following detection of myrtle rust in some ornamental plants.’

and a requirement to disinfect shoes, packs and clothing etc. to minimise the likelihood of pests, diseases and weeds entering the natural areas.

MYRTLE RUST DISEASE

Earlier this year saw the detection of myrtle rust disease. This was the second time myrtle rust had been detected on Lord Howe Island, with a previous incursion eradicated in 2016. A major operation was put into place following detection of myrtle rust in some ornamental plants that are susceptible to the disease, and access to the walks throughout the island was prohibited. There are five species of plants in the

susceptible Myrtaceae family on Lord Howe Island – two species of mountain rose (Metrosideros nervulosa and M. sclerocarpa), a paperbark (Melaleuca howeana), a tea tree (Leptospermum polygalifolium subsp. howense) and scalybark (Syzygium fullagarii), a large lilypilly. All would be under threat from myrtle rust should it become established on the island. Fortunately it looks as though the fungus has been eradicated and efforts to remove and destroy exotic Myrtaceae in the settlement area will dramatically reduce the likelihood of the pathogen establishing a foothold. Of course, Lord Howe Island is only 600 km west of Port Macquarie – a relatively

There are more than 100 species and subspecies of plants endemic to Lord Howe Island, including the kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)

Disinfecting foot baths are on all walking tracks

The Rodent Eradication Project has seen an increase in numbers of the Lord Howe Island Woodhen

small distance for a rust spore to blow, so constant surveillance is critical.

PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT

The other plant disease that is of critical concern is Phytophthora root rot. This disease can affect numerous species of plants, either slowing their growth, stopping them reproducing or killing them outright. The spores (and other structures) can easily be spread in soil adhering to shoes, walking sticks, vehicle tyres and in fact anything that comes into contact with soil.

We detected Phytophthora cinnamomi in a fruit tree on Lord Howe Island many years ago in an area that is now

a quarantine exclusion zone. Unfortunately it is not possible to eradicate Phytophthora from soil, so ensuring that it does not spread from the infested location is the only option. On this latest trip, the team from PlantClinic conducted an extensive survey across the island to determine if any new sites of infestation had occurred. This involved collecting small soil samples along walking tracks, around foot bath stations, in nurseries and intensively around the original detection point to determine if the pathogen had moved.

The soil samples are now in the process of being analysed at the

‘Such a unique and wonderful place deserves the highest protection from these invasive intruders.’

PlantClinic. This involves flooding the soil with water to promote the growth of Phytophthora – if it is in fact there –so that it can be extracted from the soil. We then use a variety of DNA-based tests – using equipment provided by funds from Foundation & Friends – to determine if Phytophthora is present and, if so, what species it might be.

While it is too early to predict the outcome of the tests, we are obviously hoping for a large number of negative tests. The results – positive or negative –will guide the approach to management of the issue on the island. Such a unique and wonderful place deserves the highest protection from these invasive intruders. If you do go to Lord Howe Island, please make sure to go with clean equipment, shoes and clothes and follow the instructions there. In fact, any time you might head into the bush please make the effort to spray your shoes with 70% methylated spirits so you won’t be transporting any nasties into our bush.

Photos: Brett Summerell, Joel Cohen

JARRYD

TIM JACKSON SPOKE TO OUR NEW CURATOR MANAGER

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, SYDNEY AND DOMAIN

KELLY

On 1 May 2023, Jarryd Kelly joined the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney as Curator Manager. He is both green keeper and greenie, known for his exceptional turf-management skills and he is also extremely passionate about conservation and the natural world. Jarryd was instrumental in delivering the National Herbarium of New South Wales landscape and played an important role in the curation and growth of the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, including construction of parts of the Connections Garden, African Olive removal, Greening our City plantings, revegetation of the critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland, Western Sydney Dry Rainforest and grassland restoration projects.

How long have you worked in the Botanic Gardens?

I have been with the Gardens for 14 years. Until recently, that time was spent at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, which to me is a special place. There’s enormous potential out there, with the Master Plan being developed. The people who spend time in the Garden at Mount Annan are passionate about the place. There are many regulars I would say I have formed good relationships with, and during COVID it was clear how valued the Garden is.

What has been your horticultural journey? Were you passionate about plants as a child?

My family used to go to Mount Annan for family gatherings. At a young age my interest was probably more for spending time with family and exploring rather than the plants. Being in that space, it must rub off on you and you can’t help but absorb it. Apparently, as a little kid I said I would work there one day! I grew up in Ruse so we would go into the bush a lot, down to the Georges River and the caves. My grandparents are avid gardeners and that influence was there. I was good with computers in high school and started university studying IT. I remember my first tutorial. I was sitting there looking out of the window thinking how nice it would be to work outside. I quit university when I heard of an apprenticeship in Horticulture at Ryde TAFE. After completing my

‘We have a real job to do, in not only conserving plants but giving them back through our collection.’

apprenticeship I was fortunate to secure a role at Mount Annan, which ultimately led to my current position.

What was your very first job?

I was employed by Campbelltown City Council as a gymnastics coach. I was on a trajectory for the Olympics but an injury changed that. I also worked as a life guard and a receptionist – all casual roles within the council.

Who was the greatest influence once you started in the horticulture industry? During my apprenticeship my icon was my boss, Robert Alderson. I looked at Rob with admiration. He had a way of guiding the apprentices that maintained our interest. More than just interest, it has grown into something far bigger than I had imagined. Rob would be proud that two of his pupils are now at the helm of our estates. Since I have been at the Gardens many people have helped and mentored me. John Siemon and Jordan Scott have been very influential people in my career.

Do you have a favourite plant?

It’s the hardest question to answer. The native plants probably. Proteaceae as a family are super interesting. We go through phases of plant loves. My favourite plant used to be Backhousia citridora. Not for its look, or its smell but the connection I have with that species. From a very young age, we always had one in the backyard. I have one in my backyard now – not the most suitable plant for where it is for the size of the block. As a child I used to do my jobs and one was to mow the lawn and the smell of the leaves just brings back memories. That’s one of the things I love most about plants – everyone connects differently but plants have a profound impact on us all.

What is the future of the Botanic Gardens? Some people might say ‘why have a collection of trapped plants?’ For me the future is in conservation horticulture. That term gets thrown around, but we need to secure plants that are threatened in the wild and protect them from extinction. They are vulnerable and if we don’t do this we will lose more diversity. We know the benefits of plants and nature but it goes far beyond that. Humans benefit greatly through the science and research leading to modern medicines, many of which are derived from plants. If we lose diversity, we decrease the potential for such findings. The natural world is all connected. We are part of that ecosystem. We have a real job to do, in not only conserving plants but giving them back through our collection; we can share with other Botanic Gardens and help restore natural environments. Our collections are like an insurance policy. We have the opportunity to grow different species in different areas to see how they adapt to climate change. We will have to learn how to adapt. The one positive I can see is that children are learning more about nature and plants and have a different respect and understanding for them. The world will change back into a more positive place. I hope. It has to. Education is an important part of the Gardens’ role.

Do you have a favourite spot in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney?

This is dangerous. The Native Rockery is hard to go by. I really like that space. I spent some time in the Rose Garden recently – it has been designed well and is a formal-style garden. That space is really special for people. From a collection perspective, the Palm Grove is amazing.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I’m about to turn 37. I’m getting older and I’m sporty. I used to play soccer and rugby union and I still play rugby union and I coach the kids. I love the game. I play Oztag as well – national and state championships. I probably need to stop from an injury perspective. It will be hard when it comes to an end. My family is obviously very important to me and we do everything together.

Photo: Meredith Kirton

Photos: Brian Rapsey, Alexandra Hirst

Curator Libby Wright and artist Tracy Luff in the studio

FROM TOTEMS TO TEA CUPS, GRAND GARDEN STATEMENT PIECES TO DELICATE EARRINGS, ARTISANS IN THE GARDENS PROMISES A BOUNTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, WHIMSICAL, WONDERFUL WORLD OF ART. SUE WANNAN REPORTS.

This year there will be about 46 artists exhibiting. ‘There has been a real keenness for artists to get out of COVID and get back on track,’ says curator Libby Wright. ‘People who haven’t created things for a while were keen to show – and show a lot!’

After last year’s anniversary exhibition, when the curators deliberately searched out favourites of the past 21 years, this year Artisans reverts to its principle of having more new exhibitors than popular artists of past exhibitions. ‘People expect to see new things,’ says Wright.

The trick to a successful Artisans is ‘a good mix’: a wide variety of media, style and prices, while maintaining the high artistic integrity that Artisans has become known for.

‘Garden pieces, especially water features, do well,’ says Wright. ‘So do jewellery, ceramics and sculpture. We also like glass, textiles, wood, paper.’

NEW EXHIBITORS AT ARTISANS THIS YEAR

Tracy Luff (new to Artisans, but a well-established name in the art world). Tracy is known for her two- and threedimensional artworks created from fluted cardboard and recycled pallet wood. ‘Her work [says her website] is grounded in her Chinese-Malaysian heritage and her life in regional Australia … she is like an exotic species transplanted from tropical Malaysia to the cold,

arid climate of Goulburn – the different one – constantly existing in parenthesis.’ Her work allows her to explore ‘her own sense of displacement through the metaphor of recycled cardboard, her chosen material’.

Alexandra Hirst is a glass artist and designer based in Adelaide whose work often displays quirky, botanical themes.

Jo Norton (Thrown by Jo) will show some ‘really gorgeous totems. There seems to be a bit of totem theme happening this year,’ says Wright. Norton works in stoneware and porcelain. Her creations, she says,

‘are distinguished by her understanding of form, proportion and space’.

Ann Lemon makes stylish but practical ‘project bags’ from recycled tapestries.

Ian Clare, whose website charmingly describes him as ‘master potter, almost’ is the son of hobby potters living in north-west Tasmania, and learnt to throw pots by the age of 10 and was selling his own work by 14. His backstory is almost as intriguing as his work.

‘In the early ’70s my father was president of the NW branch of the Tasmanian Potters Association and the branch would employ professional potters to give workshops. One such potter was a Japanese master potter Shigeo Shiga, who came to give a workshop in 1974. My father was reluctant to attend as he was a prisoner of war to the Japanese on the Thai–Burma Railway. He did attend and, as soon as he saw the skills on display by Shiga, he immediately invited him to our house for a meal. Both men sat in our garden and talked for hours.

‘This year Artisans reverts to its principle of having more new exhibitors.’

Botany Vases, Alexandra Hirst

The family couldn’t understand what they were saying as they were speaking Japanese. We never knew our father could speak Japanese.

Ian has been potting professionally now for 46 years. ‘I have a strong Japanese aesthetic in my work. I work in stoneware, mid fire and Raku and make and design my own glazes, very much in the Japanese style.’

Another new and eye-catching body of work is the collaboration between Nurit Ophir, a fibre artist, and Sue Rintoul Lalor, a ceramicist. The handbuilt ceramic bases, built by Lalor, are simple robust forms with a layered textural surface that gives weight and density. From this, Ophir’s fibre weavings ‘grow and respond’. Ophir uses a range of basketry and weaving techniques that allow the form to be dictated by the materials at hand and by the materiality and shape of the ceramic base.

Clive Calder (Australian Bronze) embraces the notion of leaf litter with bronze sculptures of eucalypt leaves.

Nikki Main’s glass leaves are also loosely based on eucalypt leaves found near her home. The leaves vary in size and colour, and can be displayed as single forms or in small groups of two or three.

Lee Clark A first-time exhibitor at Artisans, Lee works with a range of media, including wire and clay. Inspired by the wildlife around our national parks, Lee has created a collection of goannas for Artisans, constructed from reused wire netting. These works take many weeks, requiring amazing skill to manipulate and form the fine details of the goannas. They can be displayed either on the wall, on a tree trunk, or lie flat on the ground.

Julia Parker Also new to Artisans this year, Julia has a deep connection with the Botanic Gardens and a long love of Australian grevilleas. Originally from the

United States, Julia was blown away by the unique and stoic flower when she arrived. Julia creates the grevillea using fabric and stuffing by mainly upcycled materials. The flower’s perianths and styles are machine-sewn and then filled with stuffing and wire. The petals and leaves are hand-stitched to the canvas. Her artwork is unique and colourful.

RETURNING ARTISTS

Big statement pieces this year will come from sculptors like Al Phemister, whose previous work at Artisans has demonstrated his ability to take hard, rusted steel forms and imbue them with a sense of gentleness and movement. Industrial building materials, discarded horseshoes, unwanted farm machinery (and, recently, recycled concrete mixers) become something new and wonderful in his hands.

Sarah Lamond is a paper maker and artist. Her artworks use traditional

Photos: The artists, Brian Rapsey

Totems, Jo Norton Paper Sculptures, Sarah Lamond

Organic Sculptural Vessels, Nurit Ophir and Sue Rintoul Lalor

Nurit Ophir

Goanna, Lee Clark

Grevillea Sundance, Julia Parker

SHOP ONLINE

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

CHRISTMAS GREETING CARDS

Browse Foundations & Friends’ selection of greetings cards, inspired by the Botanic Gardens and exhibitions past and present. Scan the QR code to shop online today and order your card packs ready for Christmas. botanicgardensgallery.com.au

181 ELIZABETH STREET, SYDNEY 2000

Photos: The artists, Brian Rapsey

Left to right: Cillamorph, Cellaspore, Morphelia, Alyson Hayes

Red Flowering Gum, Beverly Allen

Jo Norton

skills and nostalgic tools in new and exciting ways. Her collection for Artisans will be a series of found antique books that have a connection with the Australian flora and fauna, into which Lee Clark has carved images of Australian bird species. The books will be transformed and reimagined, paying homage to the source of the paper of these amazing vintage books and to exhibit them in a botanical way.

Michael Ferris is another artist to use found objects, in this case large timber bases and river stones, to create something big but beautiful and tactile. His preferred way of working is to get to know the people who buy his sculptures. ‘It’s important to me where and with whom my sculptures find a home. With every purchase, the buyer also receives a piece of my creative spirit. That’s why I like getting to know you, learning your story, and telling you mine.’

Returning artist Barbara Heath brings back to the Artisans exhibition an amazing collection of handmade gem-set jewellery created using highcarat golds. Barbara has been creating beautiful jewellery since the 1970s and has a reputation for distinctive and innovative pieces, placing her at the forefront of Australian jewellers.

Barbara loves textures and architectural designs, bringing an excitement of different shapes and surfaces to her pieces. Her work is in collections all over Australia, including Queensland Art Gallery, The Powerhouse Museum Sydney, and the State Library of Queensland.

Themes abound in Artisans. Often it’s the pleasure in creation from found or recycled objects, the reflection on the natural world, and general botanic motifs. This year it’s also totems, and there seem to be a lot of leaves going on. Artisans in the Gardens will be held at Lion Gate Lodge, from Saturday 21 October until Sunday 29 October, 10 am – 4 pm every day. Entry is free. A cafe, offering tea, coffee, cakes and light lunches, will be open every day from 10 am – 3 pm. Plants from Growing Friends will also be on display and for sale.

Brooches, Barbara Heath

A Good Crop, Tracy Luff

Sandstone vessel, One Stone

ARTISANS WORKSHOPS

Several workshops will be part of Artisans in the Gardens, including:

Jane du Rand, a renowned Queensland ceramic and mosaic artist, who will be exhibiting in Artisans. Her large-scale commercial and residential work is held in many countries, including South Africa, France, Ireland, America, New Zealand and Australia.

Nina Field, who specialises in utterly charming ceramic bells, which draw ecstatic comments from customers: ‘They sound amazing … Tinkling! … Soothing …They bring me joy.’

For more information, see this issue’s Diary, page 32.

21 – 29 OCTOBER, 10 AM – 4 PM

Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Entry is free, and all works will be for sale.

OPENING NIGHT, FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER, 6 PM – 8 PM

Enjoy a drink and canapés in historic Lion Gate Lodge, and take the opportunity to view and purchase works before the exhibition opens. Tickets cost $75 for members and $85 for non-members. To purchase tickets visit botanicgardens.org.au/Whats-On

Photos: Jane du Rand, Nina Field, Brian Rapsey, Glenn Smith

Bells, Nina Field

Bells, Nina Field

Jane du Rand

PLANTS IN THE

GARDENS

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE WONDERFUL PLANTS TO LOOK OUT FOR NEXT TIME YOU VISIT THE GARDENS.

Lasiandra / Blue tongue

Melastoma malabathricum

Family Melastomataceae

There are a large number of plants in the Melastomataceae family, most occurring naturally in the tropics, especially parts of South America, which has by far the greatest number of species. However, this lovely garden shrub is native to Australia where it occurs in several states. The name Melastoma, from the Greek words meaning ‘black mouth’, as well as its common name blue tongue, are related to the staining qualities of the sweet, edible fruit when consumed. However, many people still tend to refer to this as lasiandra, to which it is closely related.

Lasiandras are most likely to be found in older established suburban gardens. They form a rounded shrub about 2 m

high and wide with prominently veined leaves that are slightly rough and hairy. The lovely flowers, a mauve-purple colour, appear mainly in summer but may appear sporadically at other times. It is generally an easy-care shrub that may need only the very occasional light pruning. Best grown in full sun with

‘The name Melastoma comes from the Greek words meaning ‘“black mouth”, because of the staining qualities of the sweet, edible fruit when consumed.’

protection from strong winds, it is ideally suited to warm, sheltered parts of the garden with morning sun and afternoon shade. It thrives in well-drained, wellcomposted soil. It will not tolerate frost or ‘wet feet’. The shrub rarely needs pruning but, if this is necessary, then a light trim in early spring would be the best time. You can also tip-prune spent flowers, but its natural shape is pleasing. It is a good idea to mulch the root zone of the plant, being careful not to let the mulch pack up around the stems.

There is a very fine example of this shrub beside the path in the garden bed close to the entrance to The Calyx. Growing Friends’ Plant Sales often has this desirable species for sale.

Margaret Hanks, Growing Friends, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Melastoma malabathricum

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY

Spring is without a doubt my favourite time to be in the garden. The winter blues become a distant memory and the plants begin to put on a show. Every year they remind us of their magnificence and beauty.

This spring, be sure to meander through the garden enjoying all it has to offer. Starting from the Spring Walk in the Middle Garden you will be spoilt by colour. After enjoying all it has to offer, head towards the Pioneer Garden. On the way, stop at the Native Rainforest where you will enjoy the diversity of our native flora and a peaceful hideaway in the heart of the city. Continuing to the Pioneer Garden you will be treated with a beautiful tulip and hyacinth display. Backtrack down the steps and head towards the lotus ponds. Continue

‘You can utilise Garden Explorer on our website to find the location for the plants you are looking for.’

to the Choragic Monument display, which will feature violas, pansies and Ranunculus. Enjoy the Lower Garden Star, Huntsman and Dogs, and Boy Extracting Thorn beds. Now head towards the Native Rockery where you will be spoilt for choice with a large variety of flowering perennials to adore. I’m a native plant lover, so I have included a few of my favourites, which include Macadamia tetraphylla, Dendrobium speciosum, Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea and Alloxylon flammeum. All are spectacular in their own right.

A couple of hero plants this spring are both from the Proteaceae family. Macadamias are a fascinating native. Of the four species, two have made it onto the international stage and compete well in the nut-production industry. However, this is not why I love them. It’s for their interesting inflorescence – the colours are simply spectacular and the natural architecture is intriguing.

Alloxylon flammeum is another beautiful rainforest species, which oozes with nectar. Growing too large for most backyards is the only thing stopping this species from being seen across temperate areas in New South Wales, but if you have the space it is a spectacular addition.

Jarryd Kelly, Curator Manager

AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN

Spring at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan (ABG) is synonymous with the spectacular paper-daisy display located primarily between the Lake Side Lawn and the Connections Garden. You will also see other paper daisies along the Mount Annan Drive and Narellan Road entrances. As in previous years, the dedicated and skilled Horticulturists at ABG have been busily planning and preparing for these displays for over 14 months. This year is shaping up to be a showstopper, with the seed material already germinating and putting on some beautiful growth. Be sure to catch this display from around the Father’s Day weekend on the first Sunday of September, and throughout spring.

The newly renovated landscape between the Visitor Centre and the central car park will be settled in, and many specimens will be putting on flushes of new growth and potentially a flower or two. I can’t wait to see the unfurling of the new fronds of the vast tree fern forest we have installed.

Once you have visited these, I would head down to the Wattle Garden to see the impressive collection of wattles in bloom. With so many species from across Australia on display, there is great diversity in species shape and form. And don’t forget to celebrate Wattle Day on 1 September! Some of my favourite wattles, which I’m looking forward to seeing in full bloom again, are Acacia macradenia (zig-zag wattle), A. myrtifolia (myrtle wattle), A. ulicifolia (juniper wattle), A. longifolia (Sydney golden wattle) and, because I grew up in Western Sydney, A. parramattensis (Parramatta wattle). Michael Elgey, Curator Manager

Acacia macradenia

Macadamia tetraphylla

BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANIC GARDEN

There is a feeling of optimism throughout the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden as blossoms fill the air with sweet scents, while the new Tomah Café warms hearts and hands with its quality coffee and wholesome food.

On the ground, the implementation of two new major projects is also heating things up! With the support of Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens, benefactors, designers, horticulturists, arborists and stone masons, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is excited to announce the installation of the Camellia Garden and the redesign of the Formal Garden.

The new Camellia Garden will showcase one of the rarest and diverse Theaceae collections in the country. Over the past decade passionate and highly skilled staff have painstakingly sought camellia specimens from around

the world. In honour of the horticultural significance of this living collection, and to maintain it for future generations, the Gardens have dedicated 4500 m2 to its display. Multi-level stone walls, winding footpaths, secluded vantage points and decorative sculptures will all be features transforming this landscape. Though the works are extensive, they will blend seamlessly with the existing gardens by utilising natural contours and established trees.

Crowning the summit of Mount Tomah with parterre hedges and bluestone walls is the Formal Garden. Though it is excellently landscaped, time has taken its toll and it is no longer the regal display it once was. Ralph Bristow, renowned perennial garden designer and artist, has been commissioned to design a landscape for this space. The key concept is to create a garden that intuitively unfolds throughout the year, reflecting the ever-changing seasons of the mountain. This will be achieved by creating complex layers that provide a contrasting yet harmonious relationship, where perennials, natives, grasses, trees and hardscape elements are all showcased harmoniously. Once complete, the Formal Garden will greet each guest, setting a high measure of visitor expectation and experience.

With new displays, significant collections, contemporary dining and unspoilt views of the Blue Mountains, every season is now the perfect season to enjoy the beauty of the Botanic Gardens. Ashley Filipovski, Curator Manager

GROWING FRIENDS PLANT SALES

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Monday – Friday, 11 am – 2 pm

Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 2 pm

Australian Botanic Garden

Mount Annan

Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 4 pm

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

Mount Tomah

Monday – Sunday, 9.30 am – 4.30 pm

GROWING FRIENDS

The arrival of spring in the Royal Botanic Garden is filled with anticipation. This year, the Gardens are looking spectacular with the help of the rain, due to La Niña, and the hard work of staff and volunteers.

The Spring Walk is famous for its collections of wisteria, rhododendrons, spirea, ornamental fruit trees, colourful perennials and spring flowering bulbs. As you approach Lion Gate Lodge at the eastern end of the Spring Walk, don’t miss the glorious Chionanthus retusus (Chinese fringe tree).

As spring changes to summer, the Meadow Garden becomes a riot of colour and demonstrates how lawn and open spaces can be transformed into a field attracting pollinators, including bees, butterflies and birds. There is an extensive collection of clivias in the Palm Garden, ranging from cream to apricot and deep orange, and even some with variegated foliage. These are wonderful plants for dry shade with a long flowering period and spot flowers throughout the year.

Remember to visit the Growing Friends Plant Sales, which is a treasure trove of rare and unusual plants. Members of Foundation & Friends receive a 20 per cent discount. You will find Australian natives (we stock a few wattles), including trees and shrubs, as well as indoor plants, herbs and edible plants, succulents, cottage garden plants, groundcovers and some unusual epiphytic plants. Keep an eye out for Alloxylon flammeum (tree waratah), Beaumontia grandiflora (herald’s trumpet vine), Spirea cantoniensis (May bush) and Hippeastrum papilio (butterfly amaryllis). Our volunteers are happy to provide information and advice.

Belinda Moon

Photos: Glenn Smith, Greg Bourke, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust

Dendrobium speciosum

Camellia japonica ‘Virginia Franco Rosea’

Colourful clivias located in the Palm Garden

GROWING FRIENDS GROWING STRONG

RAOUL DE FERRANTI, GENERAL COORDINATOR GROWING FRIENDS, REFLECTS ON THE LAST 25 YEARS.

It seems only a little while ago at our Growing Friends 20th anniversary celebration lunch that I explained how we had lived up to our name. And, despite the disruptions and ups and downs of drought, bushfires, floods and the COVID pandemic over the past five years, we have continued to grow. We are propagating more plants in greater variety, selling more plants for boosted revenue and the number of Growing Friends has increased to nearly 130 members as we have added extra days of propagation at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and have recently commenced Sunday sales at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Sadly, we have had to say farewell to several of our founding members from the two teams that commenced at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in 2018, but we are looking forward to catching up with many of our past members at a celebratory event in September.

Our growth at both the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan has been greatly supported by Gardens staff, particularly through expansion and improvement of our facilities. We have moved into new shade houses and now have a dedicated stock garden at Mount Annan. Both glasshouse and shade house space available for Sydney Growing Friends have continued to grow and we recently had a major plumbing upgrade in the Sydney Growing Friends’ Plant Sales.

We are also now appreciating support from new Foundation & Friends staff appointments, particularly the new Volunteer Manager, Csilla Swain. We see excellent prospects for continued growth of our propagation and sales through the years ahead and look forward to the challenge of reviving a Growing Friends program at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah.

UPGRADE TO THE DE FERRANTI SHELTER

An upgrade is planned to the De Ferranti Shelter at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. The shelter, made possible by a generous bequest and further donations by the De Ferranti family, is being augmented by landscape designer Sitthichat Bamrung.

‘Growing Friends has increased to nearly 130 members.’

GROWING FRIENDS PLANT SALES 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Come along to celebrate our Growing Friends Plant Sales anniversary and BUY 3, GET 1 FREE *

24 SEPTEMBER, 10 AM – 2 PM

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

*Conditions apply

Photos: Janine Smith, David van Nunen

Artist’s impression of the upgraded De Ferranti Shelter

Growing Friends Lyn Fryer and Raoul de Ferranti

THE BEST OF THE AWI

A GROUP OF THE FOREMOST WATERCOLOURISTS IN AUSTRALIA WILL HOLD THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION AT LION GATE LODGE IN THE SYDNEY BOTANIC GARDENS. SUE WANNAN REPORTS.

Founded in 1923, the Australian Watercolour Institute (AWI) is this country’s oldest and most prestigious watercolour society with a membership comprising some of the most eminent professional artists in Australia, England, Scotland, China and the United States.

Throughout its 100-year history, a number of Australia’s most important artists have been members of, or regularly exhibited with, the AWI, including Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, Hans Heysen, Rupert Bunny, Margaret Preston, Thea Proctor, Norman Lindsay, Lloyd Rees, John Coburn, Tim Storrier, John Olsen and Guy Warren. Moreover, many of the watercolours in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and other major Australian institutions were purchased from AWI annual exhibitions.

Membership is not easily gained. ‘It’s granted based on your profile as a professional artist within Australia or overseas,’ current AWI President David van Nunen OAM explains. ‘You are voted in by the members at their annual

meeting. The majority of Australia’s most prominent artists have been members of the AWI.’

‘A big part of my presidency since 2009 has been to elevate the profile of the AWI and to promote Australian artists overseas,’ says van Nunen. ‘I have been cultivating strong cultural exchanges internationally, particularly with mainland China and Taiwan, culminating in landmark exhibitions in England, Scotland, Taiwan, China, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Thailand and South Korea. The AWI continues to promote Australian watercolour, and Australian professional artists, to the world.’

‘Showing in the Botanic Gardens is a good fit for us,’ says van Nunen, ‘as a lot of the work will be about landscape and plants. I expect we’ll have more than 100 paintings on show. I’ll be there every day giving a talk, and some of our members will be demonstrating watercolour painting too.

‘Some of our members will be familiar to Botanic Gardens people. Colleen Werner and Deirdre Bean, for example, have exhibited overseas and both are

internationally acclaimed exponents of botanical art.’ Deirdre Bean won the inaugural prize for botanical watercolour painting at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and is a long-time favourite in the Gardens’ annual Botanica exhibition. Colleen Werner says of her work, ‘Rather than investigating broad panoramas, I prefer to engage in intimate studies of the natural world.’ (Check out her enchanting Penguin Parade on the AWI’s excellent website awi.com.au, where you’ll get a foretaste of the outstanding quality to expect from this coming exhibition.)

Another highlight in the exhibition is David van Nunen’s painting of a Wollemi pine, created after this amazing plant was discovered in 1994. ‘Carrick Chambers, who was director of the Gardens then, knew my work,’ explains van Nunen, ‘and asked me if I wanted to be the first artist to paint my impression of it. It’s a very large painting that was hanging outside his office until he retired, at which time it came back to me. Despite not being a watercolour (polymer on linen), Foundation & Friends have asked that it be exhibited to give its members a chance to see it.’

AWI 100TH ANNIVERSARY OPENING CEREMONY

31 AUGUST, 6 – 8 PM

For more information visit this issue’s Diary (page 30)

AWI 100TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION

1 – 7 SEPTEMBER

10 AM – 4 PM

Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Entry is free. All works for sale. botanicgardens.org.au/Whats-On

Hill, Rocks, Trees – Dusk, David van Nunen

WHAT’S ON

Here is just a taste of what is on offer across our three Gardens. For more information about events, and to book, visit botanicgardens.org.au/Whats-On or just point your mobile device’s camera at the QR code on this page, then tap the notification to open the link. Alternatively, phone us on (02) 9231 8182. All activities have been planned with your safety in mind, including social distancing and hygiene measures.

EXHIBITIONS

ARTISANS IN THE GARDENS OPENING NIGHT

Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden

Fri 20 October, 6 – 8 pm

Join us for the opening of the muchanticipated exhibition, Artisans in the Gardens. Since launching in 2000 with just four exhibitors, the exhibition has evolved into a showcase of more than 3000 works. Mingle with the artists and exhibition curator, enjoy canapés, and view the exquisite pieces before the general public. From $75

ARTISANS EXHIBITION TOUR

with the Curators

Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden

Wed 25 October, 10.30 – 11.30 am

Sit in the courtyard at Lion Gate Lodge and take in the atmosphere with a delightful morning tea followed by a tour of Artisans in the Gardens by one of the exhibition curators. Enjoy this exclusive small-group experience where you will be able to chat to the curator as they take you through the exhibition. From $30

ARTISANS IN THE GARDENS

Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden, Sat 21 – Sun 29 October, 10 am – 4 pm

Showcasing Australia’s best established and emerging artists and craftspeople with over 3000 artworks including sculpture, ceramics, hand-blown glass, jewellery and textiles. Free

BRUSHES WITH HISTORY: AWI CENTENARY EXHIBITION 1923–2023

Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden

Opening night:

Thu 31 August, 6 – 8 pm

Exhibition:

Fri 1 – Thu 7 September, 10 am – 4 pm

Throughout its history, a number of Australia’s most celebrated artists have been members of, or exhibited with, the Australian Watercolour Institute (AWI). The AWI works to ensure the future of watercolour painting as a vital medium. Free

Photos: The artists, Alice Bruyn, Meredith Kirton, Shutterstock, Bigga Haataja

Wollemi Pine, David van Nunen

Botany Vases, Alexandra Hirst

Botany Vases

CELEBRATIONS

CELEBRATE OUR GROWING FRIENDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Snag a bargain!

Royal Botanic Garden

Sun 24 September, 10 am – 2 pm

Come along on Sunday to celebrate our Growing Friends Plant Sales at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney as it marks 25 years young. Our plant sales are now open Sundays and there will be a BBQ from 11 am – 2 pm. We will also have a ‘buy 3, get 1 free’ deal all day, so spring to it!

GROWING FRIENDS HIGH TEA

Celebrate our quarter century!

Palm House, Royal Botanic Garden

Thur 21 September, 2.30 – 4.30 pm

Come along for a high tea as we thank our Growing Friends Plant Sales team at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney as it marks 25 years young. Tickets are limited for Growing Friends Volunteers and Alumni: $15

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

INTRODUCTION TO BOTANICAL ART

with Shipra Shah Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Thur 14 – Fri 15 September

9.30 am – 4 pm

Botanical art is a specialised genre that portrays an object with precision and detail. In this workshop, participants will learn the techniques of first sketching in pencil, then using watercolours to create depth with light and tone. Ideal for beginners and students who have some experience in watercolour. Refreshments and lunch provided.

From $280

by Jane Guthleben

CAMELLIA ART CLASS

with Beverly Allen Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Tue 29 August – Fri 1 September

9.30 am – 4 pm

This class will build your skills, from initial washes to dry-brush detail and finishing. The emphasis will be on close observation, accurate drawing, subtleties of colour and use of light. Ideal for intermediate to advanced students, or those with drawing skills and experience in other media. Refreshments and lunches are included. From $530

FROM FIELD NOTES TO THE STUDIO with Jane Guthleben

Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Mon 18 September, 11 am – 4 pm

Take notes in the field and develop them into paintings using the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden as your inspiration You will be guided how to observe and record beautiful flora, using a take-nothing-from-nature approach and how to use your detailed field notes to compose a painting back in the studio in the afternoon. All levels of experience welcome. Lunch will be provided.

From $100

PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP with Paula Broom Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Tue 19 September, 10.30 am – 12 noon

Unleash the potential of your phone camera as you learn how to capture incredible photographs. You will work in both colour and black and white, examine different perspectives, and look at the patterns, textures, light and shade of the natural environment around us. A creative way to look at the world through the lens of your phone and capture the beauty of the Botanic Gardens. From $80

Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

AMAZING BUTTERFLIES

with Anna Voytsekhovich

Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Wed 11 – Fri 13 October, 9.30 am – 4 pm

Scientific illustrator and botanical artist Anna Voytsekhovich will teach you different painting techniques as well as new and interesting facts about butterflies. Learn how to capture the iridescence of a butterfly’s wings in order to produce a beautiful, scientifically accurate illustration in watercolour or watercolour and ink.

From $400

EN PLEIN AIR with Cilla Campbell

Moore Room, Royal Botanic Garden

Fri 10 November, 10 am – 4 pm

This workshop is for anyone wishing to draw in a stunning environment with an en plein air artist and teacher. Suitable for absolute beginners and more experienced artists seeking fresh ideas. Beginners will learn essential principles including an overview of perspective. More advanced artists will be offered various techniques to add to their existing art practice. All materials, lunch and refreshments are provided. From $30

CERAMIC BIRD WORKSHOP

with Jane du Rand

Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Tue 24 October, 10 am – 2 pm

In this introductory workshop ceramic and mosaic artists Jane du Rand and Susan Trimble will show you how to create a mosaic bird to hang in your home or garden. The workshop begins with an introduction to mosaics. Then learn how to cut tiles to achieve different effects and attach them to your ceramic piece, as well as how to grout the finished mosaic.

From $180

ART KINTSUGI WORKSHOP

with Yoko Kawada

Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Tue 21 or Wed 22 November, 10 am – 3 pm

Join Yoko Kawada in the Garden for this unique hands-on workshop. Kintsugi is a centuries-old Japanese craftwork, where broken ceramic objects are pieced back together using lacquer and gold dust, finding beauty in imperfection. This process transforms rescued objects in a sustainable way to create a new piece of art. You will produce your own Kintsugi art to take home. Lunch is provided.

From $170

CERAMIC BELLS with Nina Field

Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Thur 26 October, 10 am – 12 noon

Ceramic artist Nina Field will teach you how to create simple and beautiful forms in stoneware clay using just your hands. You will make your own small ceramic bell by learning how to hand-craft two small pinch pot vessels and also discover a variety of techniques in order to shape, finesse and texturise the surfaces of your vessels. All experience levels are welcome. From $250

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

with Glenn Smith

Australian PlantBank

Australian Botanic Garden

From $120

• Flower photography

Sun 10 September, 8.15 am – 1 pm

• Fungi photography

Sun 8 October, 8.15 am – 1 pm

• Bird photography

Sun 12 November, 8.15 am – 1 pm

Photos: The artists, Glenn Smith, Tara Devine, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust

WALKS & TALKS

MOTHER EARTH BOOK TALK

with Libby Hathorn

Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden

Tue 5 September, 2 – 3 pm

Join Libby Hathorn, award-winning Australian author and poet for an exclusive talk on her new book, Mother Nature, a beautifully illustrated collection of original poems celebrating the wonder and complexity of nature and the environment. The talk will focus on the inspiration of nature for poetry and art and all that can follow. Afternoon tea provided.

From $40

SPRING WALK HIGH TEA with the

Country Women’s Association

Spring Walk, Royal Botanic Garden

Sun 10 September, 2 – 3.30 pm

The Spring Walk is an iconic blooming paradise with vibrant colours and divinely perfumed flowers. Immerse yourself among the blossoms with high tea catered for by the CWA Manly Branch to align with their Centenary celebrations. The menu consists of finger sandwiches, sweets and classic scones with jam and cream, combined with tea and coffee and a cheeky glass of sparkling wine! From $80

BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS

Foundation & Friends’ Terrace, Royal Botanic Garden

Thur 9 November, 7.30 – 10 am

The Royal Botanic Garden is home to many beautiful bird species and this is your opportunity to explore the birds that inhabit our garden with experienced Volunteer Guides. The species include tawny frogmouths, white-necked herons and chestnut teals. The tour will conclude with breakfast on the Foundation & Friends’ Terrace. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! From $45

ASTRONOMY AT THE CALYX

The Calyx, Royal Botanic Garden

Tue 24 October, 7 – 9.30 pm

Join us for a night of astronomy and stargazing in the heart of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Over a glass of wine, understand the cultural significance of the night sky with First Nations astronomer Drew Roberts from Shared Knowledge, then travel through space to visit mysterious planets far from Earth with renowned astronomer Dr Angel Lopez-Sanchez.

Suitable for 12+. From $37

ARTIST’S EYE WALK

Foundation & Friends Terrace, Royal Botanic Garden

Sat 25 November, 10.30 am – 12 noon

Join our Volunteer Guides on a walk that explores plants, flowers and shrubs through the creative eyes of artists. When we borrow The Artist’s Eye an entirely new way of seeing is open to us and gives us a broader understanding of plants, different from how a botanist or horticulturist may view the world. You won’t look at the Garden in the same way again!

From $40

Ferdinand Bauer

WALKS & TALKS

FIG WALK

Foundation & Friends’ Terrace

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Sat 2 December, 10.30 am – 12 noon

The Royal Botanic Garden of Sydney has a wonderful collection of fig species from across the globe; from groundcovers and vines to giant trees and stranglers. Join the Volunteer Guides for a presentation in the Maiden Theatre followed by a walk in the Garden to see and learn about the amazing pollination system and cultural importance of these fascinating plants.

From $40

ABORIGINAL HARBOUR

HERITAGE TOUR

with First Nations Guides

Visitor Centre, Royal Botanic Garden

Every Thu, Fri, Sat (excl. public holidays), 11 am – 12 noon

Our First Nations guides will immerse you in the rich Aboriginal culture of the traditional custodians of the Sydney city area, the Gadigal. Stroll along the Sydney Harbour foreshore and listen to stories of Gadigal lifestyle, traditions, history and connection to country and community.

From $27

GHOSTLY GARDEN

Woolloomooloo Gate

Royal Botanic Garden

Fri 8 & 22 September, Fri 20 & Tues 31 October, Fri 3 & 17 November at sunset

Take a twilight adventure through the Royal Botanic Garden in this spinetingling event. Hear spooky stories and strange happenings from the Garden’s past, as flying foxes flit above your head and night creatures stare from the treetops. Suitable for 12+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult. From $40

ABORIGINAL BUSH TUCKER

with First Nations Guides

Visitor Centre, Royal Botanic Garden

Every Thu, Fri, Sat (excl. public holidays), 1 – 2 pm

Walk with a First Nations guide to learn more about Indigenous bush foods and how they were used traditionally and adapted to the modern plate and palate. You’ll also take in the Cadi Jam Ora garden to learn about some of the hottest bush foods on the market, all while tasting some goodies for yourself.

From $27

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN

From $16

• Ghostly Garden For Kids!

Fri 6 October, 7 – 8.30 pm

• Sunset Spotlight

Wed 27 September, Wed 4 October, 6.30 – 8 pm

• First Nations Eco Dyeing

Tue 26 September, Wed

27 September, Thur 28 September, 12.30 – 2 pm

• Frog Friendzy

Tue 26 September, Wed

27 September, Thur 28 September, 10.30 am – 12 noon

• Seedlings Nature School

Every Tue & Thur, 17 October –7 December, 10 am – 12 noon

BLUE MOUNTAINS

BOTANIC GARDEN

From $18

• Frog Friendzy

Wed 4 October, Thur 5 October, 10 – 11.30 am

• Wild Wollemi Garden

Wed 4 October & Thur 5 October, 12.30 – 2 pm

• Jellyfish Succulent Hanging Basket

Sat 18 November, 10.30 – 12.30 pm

• Seedlings Nature School Dates vary (see website) 10 – 12 noon

AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN

From $16

• Wild Detectives

Thur 5 October, Fri 6 October, 10 – 11.30 am

• First Nations Eco Dyeing

Thur 5 October, Fri 6 October, 12.30 – 2.30 pm

• SUNSET SPOTLIGHT

Last Fri of the month (times vary)

• Seedlings Nature School

Every Wed, 18 October – 6 December, 9.30 – 11.30 am

END OF FINANCIAL YEAR APPEAL

As the curtains draw on yet another remarkable financial year, we are thrilled to share the success of our end-of-year appeal. Thanks to the unwavering support of our generous donors, we have raised over $150,000 to propel us towards a future brimming with scientific advancement and ecological resilience.

This monumental achievement will help to fund projects like the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience (ReCER), a cutting-edge facility poised to revolutionise our understanding of nature’s ability to withstand mounting challenges. With a focus on exploring species’ capacity to endure habitat loss, invasive species, and the farreaching impacts of climate change,

AGM INVITATION

Members are warmly invited to attend Foundation & Friends’ 41st Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 21 November. The AGM will commence at 5.30 pm in The Calyx. The agenda will include elections for vacant Board positions and an update on achievements. All members are welcome to attend. Further details and RSVP opportunities will be circulated to all members during October 2023.

ReCER is set to become the epicentre of transformative ecological research.

This is a great example of the type of work that Foundation & Friends does – fuelling urgent research into the fields of conservation biology and genetics for threatened species to restore resilient and climate-ready vegetation.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the donors who have contributed to this remarkable milestone. Your continued commitment to our cause will not only fuel groundbreaking research in the immediate future, but also ensure sustained support for plant conservation for years to come. Together, we are forging a brighter, greener tomorrow.

Louise Claridge, Head of Fundraising

Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd, Cottage 6, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 2000

Phone: (02) 9231 8182

Chief Executive Officer: Peter Thomas foundation.friends@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au botanicgardens.org.au/foundation-and-friends

Office hours: Mon – Thu, 9 am – 3 pm facebook.com/FoundationandFriends instagram.com/FoundationandFriends

EDITORIAL

Acting editor: Meredith Kirton

Designer: Lauren Sutherland

Acting subeditor: Ariana Klepac

Staff proofreader: Csilla Swain

Feature writers: Prof. Brett Summerell (Botanical Science), John Siemon (Horticulture), Sue Wannan (Arts), Miguel Garcia (History), Tim Jackson and Belinda Moon (Volunteers),

Scientific adviser: Dr Russell Barrett

Regular contributors: Michael Elgey, Raoul de Ferranti, Ashley Filipovski, Margaret Hanks, Jarryd Kelly, Paul Nicholson, Antony Rivers, Marion Whitehead

Text and design © Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens

Printer: Bright Print Group

Print Post approved: PP 100004091

ISSN 1324-8219

Printed in Australia on paper made from FSC-certified and other controlled materials.

FSC® helps take care of the forests, and the people and wildlife that call them home.

BECOME A MEMBER

Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens supports the important work and programs across your Botanic Gardens – the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. Our mission is to grow a strong, supportive community to advocate and raise funds for our Botanic Gardens and their vital horticultural, scientific, education and conservation work.

Join our vibrant community of members today by phoning (02) 9231 8182 or visiting botanicgardens.org.au/membership

Membership fees: Standard $70, Concession/student $60, Household $95, Household concession $80

Photos: Joe Bidwell, Meredith Kirton, John Rollings, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust

The Calyx

So much of the vital work of our Gardens relies on the support of our members and donors. Please consider a tax time gift today. You can donate by scanning the QR code, or online at botanicgardens.org.au/donate. Thank you for your continued support.