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A new fernery at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens demonstrates the engagement of a volunteer community
A new fernery at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens demonstrates the engagement of a volunteer community
Ken Page, Chairman, Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens was established in the 1980s by volunteers. It remains a garden built, managed and maintained by volunteers. In the early days, there were many enthusiastic volunteers who established various garden beds. It was decided back then to create a fern garden in a suitable place.
Ferneries have been a popular feature of botanic gardens since Victorian times. Visitors are drawn to the cool atmosphere, the sound of running water and the delicate green beauty of the foliage. A fernery is also an important inclusion in a botanic garden that features Australian plants, as ferns are a prominent feature of the understoreys of Australian moist forests all the way from the Daintree to Tasmania.
Ferns are ancient plants that have existed for over 360 million years. They were one of the major classes of plants present when the Hunter Valley coal deposits were being created.
Numerous donations of ferns by volunteers and others helped to start the fern garden. The Fern Gully was created in a south-facing area of mesic forest and was part of what became a larger Rainforest Garden. Plants grew well, but over time it became apparent that the site chosen, while perfect for some ferns, wasn’t ideal for most species and the location was remote from the main areas visited by the public. Over time, a decision was made to establish a collection in a place suited to a greater range of fern species. This proved to be a more difficult task than first envisaged. It was then suggested to apply for a grant to construct a purpose-built fernery. A grant was obtained in 2019 from Port Waratah Coal Services, a major business in the Hunter Region and a long-time supporter of the gardens, which met most of the cost.
The building was designed and constructed entirely by garden volunteers. It is a demonstration of what can be achieved by a volunteer group with a sufficiently broad skills base. The team included structural engineers, builders, irrigation specialists and experienced horticulturalists. Construction proved to be an extended process, principally because of the intervention of the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted both the supply and availability of materials, and the progress of work.
The resulting fernery is a hexagonal building constructed of concrete blocks with a polycarbonate roof covered with shade cloth. Large wall openings on the shaded sides of the building provide effective ventilation. The ferns are primarily grown in garden beds, with ample space for both hanging and potted specimens.
There is an automated watering system and misting system that deliver the optimum conditions for many species. There is also a small stream controlled by a timer that runs through the day and helps to maintain humidity, to some degree. A circular path provides visitor access. The fernery features a dramatic background mural by botanical artist Teresa Purnell.
The fernery is in a high-traffic area of the gardens close to the Visitor Centre and is readily accessed by visitors. It was named in honour of Kevin Stokes, the Curator of our Living Collection and the gardens’ longest-serving volunteer. Kevin has had a long interest in Australian ferns, along with other Australian plants, and the fernery is a project that he has conceived and developed over many years.
The Kevin Stokes Fernery was jointly opened on 15 November 2022 by Trudi Larnach, Manager Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Port Waratah Coal Services, and Kevin Stokes, in the presence of Meryl Swanson MP, Federal Member for Paterson. The Patron of the Gardens, Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts AM, and gardens’ board members and volunteers were also present.
Following the opening, the fernery has been progressively stocked with ferns, and growing conditions have been tested though the recent summer. The design has proved very successful and the gardens is able to move forward with confidence in developing the collection. A decision was made by the gardens’ Living Collection Committee to include ferns from Australasia only. It is hoped this will inform the public of the variety of ferns peculiar to Australia and New Zealand. Also included will be fern allies such as club mosses, Selaginella and Psilotum species.
While the main objective of the collection is to display fern species, there will also be an emphasis on educating interested visitors on the differences in reproduction found in ancient plants, such as ferns, that pre-date flowering plants in the history of life on earth by many millions of years.
It is envisaged that our fernery will be a learning space for school children and horticultural students as well as other visitors. It is already a popular attraction at the gardens.
