FEATURE WRITERS Professor Brett Summerell AM (Botanical Science), John Siemon (Horticulture), Miguel Garcia (History), Marion Whitehead (Research)
CONTRIBUTORS David Bidwell, Pete Thomas, Michael Elgey, Ashley Filipovski, Marion Whitehead, David Mabberley, Anne-Marie Bonner, Louise Claridge, Csilla Swain, Belinda Moon, Caitlin Bye, Lily Durland
We honour and respect all Elders and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the Botanic Gardens of Sydney and Foundation & Friends stand. We acknowledge the profound significance of the enduring connection between the First Custodians and this land, recognising their vital care and stewardship for their country and its meaning to all who cherish and share in it.
Cover: Grevillea ‘Moonlight’, a top pick for your summer garden
This page: Celebrating the Wollemi pine
Photos: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
Summer News
Celebrating our supporters
Over the past few months, we’ve hosted many wonderful events to engage with and thank our generous donors, members and supporters. Your contributions continue to make a real impact on the Gardens and our work. Here are some recent highlights:
Exclusive Preview of Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE
At The Calyx in August, our supporters explored this internationally renowned floral exhibition that blends art, culture and floristry. Featuring life-sized floral mannequins inspired by different global destinations, this vibrant display was a feast for the senses. The event offered a unique perspective on floristry while celebrating the beauty of flowers and diverse cultures.
Meet the Chief Executive
In October we introduced the new Chief Executive of Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Simon Duffy AM, at a special event, giving supporters the chance to connect and hear about the exciting future plans for the Gardens. Attendees learned about Simon’s history and background at Taronga Zoo and his vision for the Gardens’ continued growth and conservation efforts.
Opening night at Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE
Photo: Jessica Lindsay
Photo: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
The Foundation & Friends office closes from Monday 23 December, re-opening Friday 3 January. Plant Sales at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney closes from Friday 20 December, reopening Monday 6 January.
Photo: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
Photo: Isopogon anemonifolius (detail) by Mary Ann Mein
From the CEO
The warmer summer months bring a vibrant change for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, with people from across Sydney and beyond heading to the Gardens and Domain for an amazing lineup of summer events.
From opera, concerts and cinema through to outdoor theatre, visitors are not only enjoying diverse and unique entertainment but also connecting with the beauty and significance of these vital green spaces. This engagement helps build connection to the important work of the Gardens.
While summer is peak season for visitation at the Sydney gardens, Foundation & Friends has been busy throughout the year, connecting with members and donors through a busy schedule of activities. We were proud to be the key opening night partner of the spectacular Fleurs De Villes VOYAGE, which dazzled thousands of visitors during its week of stunning floral displays.
We also celebrated 30 years since the rediscovery and identification of the Wollemi pine, supporting two heart-filled events to mark this milestone. The auction of several rare Wollemi pines, generously supplied by the Gardens, raised $15,000 and garnered extensive media coverage, both nationally and internationally, shining a spotlight on the Gardens’ efforts to protect this unique species.
A personal highlight for me was speaking at the opening of the great Bonsai and Ikebana Exhibition at The Garden Gallery in September. The trees on
display, in particular by Megumi Bennett who was celebrating 50 years of her art in Australia, were spectacular. The new gallery space proved to be a wonderful venue to showcase this unique art form.
It was also a pleasure to host a ‘Meet the New Chief Executive’ event with Simon Duffy AM, where key supporters and volunteers gathered for a morning of insights, laughter and even a few challenging questions. The event underscored the passion and deep engagement of our Botanic Gardens community, and I know that those who attended are eager to see Simon’s vision and strategy for the future.
I’m pleased to welcome a new editorial team to The Gardens magazine: editor Nicola Conville and design agency Three Blocks Left. You’ll notice the magazine has a fresh look, and we look forward to seeing it evolve as we continue bringing you the latest news, events, features and impact stories from Foundation & Friends.
As we head into the summer, Foundation & Friends will continue to plan and deliver a wide range of ways that our wonderful members and donors can engage with this remarkable place. We look forward to seeing you!
PETE THOMAS, CEO FOUNDATION & FRIENDS
Artisans in the Garden
This year’s Artisans in the Gardens exhibition at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney raised over $300,000 through artworks, raffle tickets and café sales, with more than $25,000 going to support the Education Access program. This funding will help extend naturebased educational experiences to more school groups and communities across Sydney. Foundation & Friends are deeply grateful to the talented artists, Artisans Committee, and the more than 100 volunteers who contributed to the event’s success. Artisans in the Gardens is a testament to the power of community and the enduring beauty of nature – an inspiration for future events that continue to celebrate art, education and the gardens that belong to all of us.
Guests enjoying the opening night at Artisans in the Garden
Photo: Csilla Swain
Photo: Max Fontaine
Wollemi Pine Auction raises more than $15,000
A handful of rare Wollemi pine saplings, propagated from a secret population in the Blue Mountains, were auctioned off to mark 30 years since the species’ remarkable rediscovery.
This auction was the first time genetically distinct saplings were released to the public. According to fossil records, the critically endangered ‘dinosaur tree’ dates back more than 90 million years and was presumed extinct until a remnant grove was found in 1994.
The auction was a great success, raising just over $15,200 in support of the Rainforest Seed Conservation Program at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney. With 72 bids on six rare plants competition was fierce, starting at $150 and reaching $3,500. Wollemi pine 6 was the standout, with 16 bids.
The funds raised will support vital research to conserve the Wollemi pine and other rainforest species, including seed preservation techniques. This support plays a crucial role in ensuring the conservation of the Wollemi pine and other rainforest plants for generations to come.
Dr Cathy Offord (left), Head of Australian PlantBank Research at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney with Maureen Phelam.
James Drysdale, Pete Thomas and Ian Breedon celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Wollemi pine with a special tree planting at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah.
Photos: Deep Hill Media
Alchemy of a Rainforest: An Immersive Exhibition
Curated by the horticultural team at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the exhibition features over 20,000 plants, including 18,000 in one of the largest living green walls in the Southern Hemisphere. With 252 different plant species, this display offers a captivating look into the diversity of rainforest flora.
an upcycled installation that immerses visitors in the sounds and atmosphere of the rainforest.
Visitors are greeted by a shimmering canopy created from recycled materials by ERTH, setting the tone for the exhibition’s focus on sustainability. Garden sculptures by environmental artist Jane Gillings, crafted from repurposed plastic, add vibrant pops of colour, depicting seeds, flowers, fungi and butterflies. A highlight is the oversized Satin Bowerbird’s bower,
Running for the next two years, this exhibit offers an evolving experience as the green wall’s design will be refreshed in 2025. Alchemy of a Rainforest is a must-see, offering visitors a unique opportunity to connect with nature and learn about vital conservation efforts. The Calyx is open daily from 10am – 4pm.
*Check the website for daily events
A tribute to Dr Geoffrey Long
We are deeply saddened by the passing of generous supporter and longtime member of Foundation & Friends, Dr Geoffrey Long. Geoffrey and his wife Ann have been passionate supporters of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney for many years.
Geoffrey’s generosity and dedication to botanical research has left a lasting impact on the Gardens. His commitment to the Gardens was focused on an area he was very enthusiastic about – the conservation of rainforests. The Long’s donations over the years supported research on seed biology and seed banking – a crucial area of need for the Gardens.
Geoffrey was an anaesthetist and pioneered the availability of epidural anaesthesia in labour wards in the early 1970s. He was also an amateur botanist and guided tours of the Western Australian wildflowers several times. In his retirement he returned a section of the Illawarra Rainforest to health. He understood
the planet’s climate problems early and was alarmed by the scientific implications in the evidence from the Antarctic ice cores.
His commitment to supporting scientific research and conservation will be fondly remembered. Geoffrey’s legacy will continue to enhance the work of the Gardens for years to come. Foundation & Friends extends our deepest condolences to Ann and the Long family.
Alchemy of a Rainforest at The Calyx
Drs Ann and Geoffrey Long
Photo: Amanda Relf
Photo: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
Protecting Lord Howe Island
Professor Brett Summerell, Chief Scientist and Director Science, Education and Conservation, returns to Lord Howe Island and summits Mount Gower to survey for Phytophthora, a root pathogen that has impacted the precious natural ecosystem there.
A year ago I embarked on a field trip to Lord Howe Island to work on the potential impact of Phytophthora root rot pathogens on the vegetation of the island. At that time we were aware of an infestation at a farm on the outskirts of the settlement area in some fruit trees and our task then was to determine how far the pathogen had spread and whether it had impacted the extremely precious natural ecosystem there.
The vegetation of Lord Howe is, as you might expect, incredibly unique. Of the approximately 241 native
plant species found on the Island, 47 per cent are endemic and found nowhere else on the planet. Some of the plants on the island are iconic, from the kentia palms Howea fosteriana and Howea belmoreana, that many of you might grow in your garden or patio, and seem ubiquitous across the lower parts. Other icons include the large Hedyscepe canterburyana and small mountain palms Lepidorrhachis mooreana that are found at the tops of the two mountains, and the giant banyan fig Ficus macrophylla f. columnaris and the mountain rose Metrosideras nervulosa
“Phytophthora is a group of plant pathogenic fungal-like organisms that mainly cause root disease –they are microscopic and are easily spread by humans as soil adhering to boots and tyres and in water moving through the landscape.“
Mount Gower on Lord Howe Island
Photos: Professor Brett Summerell
BRETT SUMMERELL
These plants support a unique fauna, again mostly endemic to the island. Anything that is likely to negatively impact their survival or continued existence is of major concern. Fortunately following the eradication of rats on the island more than two years ago, the level of seed and subsequent seedling production has increased hugely and there is a lot more natural regeneration of different plant species.
The topography of the island creates numerous ecological communities, from coastal beach and shore communities, mid-altitude forest communities and at the very top of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird mist forest communities that are often shrouded in cloud. Most of these communities form the Permanent Park Preserve on the Island that is afforded the highest conservation status and forms the basis of Lord Howe Island’s World Heritage listing.
Combatting Phytophthora’s silent spread
Phytophthora is a group of plant pathogenic fungallike organisms that mainly cause root disease – they are microscopic and are easily spread by humans as soil adhering to boots and tyres and in water moving through the landscape.
While some species appear to be native to Australia the most problematic are exotic pathogens that have been introduced and have had, in some cases, devastating effects on our native plants, causing some species to become threatened and endangered. It is one of the concerns, for example, for the continued existence of the Wollemi pine at the location where the pine naturally grows.
Since that first trip we have been back twice to collect further soil samples from the more remote parts of the Island, as well as the more populated areas of the settlement, and to better map the extent of infestation by this very difficult-to-control plant pathogen.
The data now indicates that the pathogen is more widely spread and is associated with signs of dieback at a number of locations. This has resulted in a ramping up of hygiene strategies, increased foot bath stations and some engineering activities to reduce the potential for the pathogen to be spread.
Summiting Mount Gower for samples
The highlight on this latest trip in mid-September was finally being able to get to the top of Mount Gower and to sample across the full extent of the walking track and across the summit. This was an amazing, but challenging walk that involved ascending the full 875 metres of Mount Gower often at very dizzying heights, and taking samples of soil from locations where either plants were showing signs of dieback, where touring parties have rest stops or at drainage points where the pathogen might be expected to accumulate and be easier to detect.
Hiking the Mount Gower track is only permitted in guided touring groups because of the potential risks and the need to protect the sensitive environment. As a consequence it is relatively easy to communicate the problems associated with Phytophthora to the operators running the tours – and anxious to protect the environment – and ensure that everyone follows the hygiene protocols.
Future work will focus on completing as full as possible a survey of the presence of Phytophthora, and, funding permitted, to start to determine the actual susceptibility of the endemic plant species to Phytophthora.
Our PlantClinic team is currently developing a rapid batch testing device and procedure that will allow us to test multiple plants at the same time. This will reduce the cost of the testing and to ensure that any plants being brought onto the island, such as fruit trees and landscape plants in the settlement, are free of the pathogen.
It is highly likely that the pathogen is here to stay on the island. The future will involve managing it and the impact it causes by preventing the introduction of new species and strains of Phytophthora, particularly into the Permanent Park Preserve areas or further along the walking tracks.
It will also be critical to start a program of ex situ conservation of the endemic species and ensuring that there are genetically representative collections of these species in seed banks, cryopreservation and in our botanic gardens. It will be extremely important to have these back-up populations stored away to prevent these plant species from heading towards extinction.
The
views from the heights of Mount Gower are spectacular
A Race Against Time
New
technology, drones and a team of skilled experts are helping to save the critically endangered dwarf mountain pine, writes Marion Whitehead, Supervisor Ornamental Gardens and Nursery Mount Tomah.
The vastness of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area holds countless secrets; from its hidden gully of Wollemis to the recurrent reports of panthers concealed in its wilderness. And within its towering waterfalls lives one of the best kept secrets of mountain botany, the dwarf mountain pine Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii
This critically endangered weeping conifer can only be found in the crags and ledges of south-facing mountain waterfalls. But with only 755 individuals counted during the last survey, and a 24 per cent death rate in revisited individuals in the last two years, this hidden gem is in rapid decline.
The age of these pines is uncertain, with some individuals estimated to be hundreds of years old. We are only beginning to understand their reproductive
habits, and with only 10 known locations and shrinking populations due to flooding, poor water quality, invasive weeds, and fungal pathogens, time is running out.
Saving a species on the brink
Fortunately for Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii the tides are turning, as technological advancements are making it easier to find new plants and secure their populations.
Up until now, new individuals of Pherosphaera could only be found via rope access to waterfalls, observation from long distances and occasionally, helicopter surveys, but with the advent of drones the remote and inaccessible are in our grasp. And the perfect complement to this access is the ability to undertake genetic testing of the individuals we collect – determining the breadth of genetic diversity within the species.
Over four decades, experts from the National Parks and Wildlife Service have observed, monitored, and cared for Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii, but recently this rare conifer became the focus of a conservation genomics study under the NSW Government’s Saving our Species (SoS) program.
Conducted by the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience (ReCER) at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, which is funded by Foundations & Friends, the study examined all known populations of Pherosphaera and identified two distinct genetic groups, along with a diverse range of genetic individuals within them. Using this genomic data, an algorithm was developed to select 25 individual plants that would capture 95 per cent of the species’ genetic diversity in a single collection. Preserving this diversity is crucial, enhancing the species’ ability to adapt to future environmental changes. Over winter, a team from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Botanic Gardens of Sydney worked tirelessly to assemble this vital collection and safeguard Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii from extinction.
Collecting Pherosphaera samples
Photo: Marion Whitehead
“Collecting Pherosphaera has felt like a grand, Indiana Jones-style botanical adventure, made up of passionate Phaerosphera advocates all with very specialised skill sets.“
MARION WHITEHEAD
Reproduction of Pherosphaera is mostly done vegetatively, as it drops small leaf tips down the water course that bed into new cracks and crevices and put down roots, resulting in a clone of the parent plant. And it’s these small branch tips that our team of experts have been collecting to build the most comprehensive collection of Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii material ever held in one place.
These cuttings have since been propagated at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and will hopefully turn into rooted plants that can be grown around the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and other climatically appropriate gardens.
A grand adventure
Collecting Pherosphaera has felt like a grand, Indiana Jones-style botanical adventure, made up of passionate Pherosphaera advocates with specialised skill sets. This group is comprised of rope access experts, geneticists, seed bank representatives, propagation experts and naturalists who have worked with this plant since the 1980s.
The team has been scaling waterfalls and laying on damp cliff edges to collect small bags of cuttings to be propagated in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden nursery.
Some of these plants have only ever been touched by human hands twice; once when collecting material for the genetic study and a second time for propagation. Some of the more remotely accessible cuttings have been collected and rushed to hand over points in car parks to be brought away as quickly as possible to their place of propagation to give them the best chance of striking.
These tiny trees, clinging to life in the mist of waterfalls, are not just remnants of the past but living symbols of what can be achieved when science and passion come together. Now that the collection work has been done, the work of establishing these plants in their new collections and looking after them begins – a whole new adventure to embark on.
A passionate team of experts work together to collect propagation material
Photo: Ian Brown
Simon Duffy AM
Chief Executive, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
From The Jane Goodall Institute Australia to Taronga Zoo and the Botanic Gardens, Simon Duffy AM has had a rich and varied career, frequently with a lens on biodiversity and conservation. He shares some of the highlights and his vision for the future of the Gardens.
What is a typical day like for you?
Every day is different but I do start the day with a quick French language lesson on my phone. I started doing this because I used to volunteer at a Chimpanzee sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and French is one of the languages spoken there. My working day usually involves meetings with our leaders or project teams, meeting with our NSW Government colleagues to provide insights and gain support for the critical work that we do, and the services and experiences we provide to the community, and then usually a meeting with someone new to the Gardens where I am aiming to
generate support for our work or a relationship or partnership that will help us achieve our goals and vision. Most days also include a walk in our Gardens, I love this and the opportunity to say hello to our team.
What drew you to this role?
I was at Taronga Conservation Society Australia for 27 years and in that time, I was fortunate to have about seven different roles – the last one being Executive Director. Taronga has always worked with Botanic Gardens of Sydney so I knew some of the people and the work. I was impressed with the work, the purpose and the beautiful gardens.
Photo: Jessica Lindsay
What has been the highlight so far?
There have been many highlights but two stand out. The first was participating in the Cultural Burn at Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, which was the first in the Garden in over two hundred years. We were so fortunate to be involved and learned a lot from our First Nations practitioners and community about relationships, care and listening to Country.
The second was a conversation in the small nursery building at Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah – one of many inspiring conversations I have had with our staff and volunteers. We were talking about the many great horticulturalists who are getting older and what role the Gardens has in creating the next generation of horticulturists. There was a lot of passion, ideas and commitment in the conversation, which I loved.
What role do you see the Gardens playing when it comes to biodiversity conservation?
Botanic Gardens of Sydney is contributing to global biodiversity conservation in many ways. We are working to generate and promote solutions to critical environmental challenges facing all life on Earth, and to improve the quality of peoples’ lives through meaningful connections to the inspiring Botanic Gardens, The Domain, First Nations cultural history and the wider world of plants. There is a sense of urgency that has not been seen on this scale before, and the destabilisation of natural systems and processes will continue to challenge, direct and inform the work of Botanic Gardens of Sydney and the Australian Institute of Botanical Science. We have a team of expert scientists, educators, horticulturists, communicators and business support that are all committed to creating a better, brighter and more sustainable future.
What have been some of the projects you have been most proud of?
The ones I am most excited by combine conservation with education and community participation because they create the greatest impact now and in the future. Some of these include breeding and releasing an endangered frog after working with locals and school students to restore habitat, connection to Country with Traditional Owners, and providing learning on how we can change our behaviours to address the threatening process. We also did this with many other species including the Greater Bilby, Regent Honeyeater and Little Penguin.
What other programs are you excited about?
I am excited about the future of our three Gardens and The Domain. Planning the future of the Gardens and the organisation takes time and a lot of input, and
we will need everyone’s support to generate and implement these. I am also excited about how our Gardens will continue to tell stories and inspire visitors. I love seeing the diversity of our visitors and the many and varied reasons that they come to spend time in the Gardens and The Domain. I feel very fortunate to help shape how the Gardens will bring visitors and the community close to plants and nature, to spark a connection and inspire action for years to come.
What’s something most people don’t know about the Botanic Gardens?
We have a Community Greening program run by a dedicated, skilled team that build green spaces with communities to foster physical and mental health while strengthening the connections between people and their local environment.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I go running every morning, and on weekends I love to go for long walks around Sydney, on the coast or in the bush. I love to garden and spend time with my family. I’ve got two boys who are very keen soccer players so also spend a lot of time watching them play.
Describe your own garden at home.
Our home was previously owned by a woman who lived there for 40 years and loved to garden. She created a lovely, layered garden that has many beautiful elements. I am making some parts of the garden my own by planting natives. I enjoy seeing them grow, knowing they are supporting our wildlife.
Do you have a favourite plant?
I really love a beautiful old banksia tree that has so much character.
What’s the best way to spend a day out at the Botanic Gardens?
Spend time exploring. There is so much to see, smell, discover and experience and the best way to do this is to wander and really look. Don’t rush – you will miss something beautiful and inspiring.
A BOTANICAL VISIONARY
OF THE 17TH CENTURY
Abraham Munting was a Dutch botanist and botanical artist whose imaginative illustrations merged science with art. His unique depictions of plants continue to inspire and fascinate to this day, Miguel Garcia reports.
In the early 17th century the European trade with Asia was dominated by a private trading company, the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), or the Dutch East India Company.
Many of these trade goods were plants; valuable spices over which wars had been waged such as nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, tea and sugarcane. Others destined for the food markets of Europe; grain, rice, soyabeans. Many plants were rare, some aesthetically pleasing, some of curiosity value, others offered potential as medicines. These plants began to appear in medicinal or ‘physic’ gardens and in the new botanical gardens of Europe.
Under the auspices of the VOC, great botanical works such as Hendrik van Rheede’s Hortus Malabarius and Everhard Rumphius’ Herbarium Amboinense were published and inspired generations of physicians and botanists.
One of these, Abraham Munting (1626-1683), a Dutch botanist and botanical artist, studied at several of the great Dutch universities and travelled extensively, visiting England, Germany and Italy, and spending a considerable amount of time in France, where he became known as a scholar.
He subsequently became a lecturer in botany and chemistry at the University of Groningen where he taught for 24 years and founded one of the most extensive botanical gardens of the period, known as ‘The Paradise of Groningen’.
Munting’s many botanical contacts sent him seeds from the Dutch East and West Indies, Africa and the Americas. Even as he cultivated and studied these novel plants, a tragedy punctuated his life; the death of his young daughter, from eating the fruit of Atropa belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) growing in the garden. However, his loss sparked Munting’s growing interest in the medical properties of plants and led him to publish several works on the subject.
Where science and imagination meet
Munting’s first, modest work was Waare Oeffening der Planten (True Exercise of the Plants), published in 1672 with just 40 engraved plates. He continued to work on a much expanded edition for the rest of his life, the Naauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen (Curious and Precise Description of Plants). Published posthumously, it contained much more detailed information and an expanded repertoire of 245 engraved plates. A third edition, Phytographia Curiosa, was translated into Latin in 1702.
Acacia Cornigera Photo: Daniel Solander Library, Royal Botanic Gardens
Munting combines contemporary botanical science with the whimsy and artistry of his imagination.
What makes Munting’s works unique, and to some bizarre, are their departure from traditional botanical illustration. Munting combines contemporary botanical science with the whimsy and artistry of his imagination. Plants are depicted with a backdrop of pastoral landscapes with animals and figures seemingly unrelated to the plants’ natural habitat. Intriguingly, the plants are often depicted floating in midair with little regard for perspective and relative sizes. Illustrated are plants from both temperate and subtropical regions introduced to the Netherlands. One description of these illustrations reads:
“The plates are as curious as their subjects. They commonly present the plants far larger than life, oranges huge as pumpkins, cyclamens with heavy corms floating lightly in mid-air, gentle geraniums grown into giant trees. The effect is obtained through
sketching in classical or idyllic or mountainous little landscapes below.”
Some illustrations hint at the plants’ uses. The plant labelled Sidereon sive Serpentaria Mirabilis Montana has snakes adorning both the leaves and intertwined in the decorative, ribbon-like labels, possibly implying that the plant may be used as a cure for snakebite. Another illustration, labelled Acacia cornigera reflects its thorny nature in the horned skulls of cattle as well as the horns on a mask upheld by a cherub.
Whatever Munting’s aim in portraying plants in such novel ways, the effects are delightful as a retrospective of the art and science of the time. Munting has been immortalised in the name of the genus Muntingia (1753), named in his honour by Carl Linnaeus.
Sidereon sive Serpentaria Mirabilis Montana
Photo: Daniel Solander Library, Royal Botanic Gardens
PLANTS WITH PURPOSE THE LIVING COLLECTIONS
Damien Wrigley, Manager of Living Collections and Conservation, shares his insights, discussing its significance and the future plans for the strategy driving its continued success.
Spanning the three Gardens, The Domain Sydney and the Australian Plantbank and with over 11,900 plants species, the Living Collections feature wild-sourced, thriving plant families and ecosystems. These collections define the beauty of the Botanic Gardens while also serving as invaluable resources.
What are the Living Collections?
The Living Collections include anything that grows across the accessioned collections across the three Botanic Gardens, The Domain and the seed bank. Anything in our Royal Sydney Botanic Garden database is considered part of our Living Collections. This includes details like where the plants came from, their scientific names, and when they were collected. The goal is to manage the plants that are significant for conservation, science, education or cultural purposes.
Can you describe some of the collections?
We have key collections that hold significance, such as conifers, Wollemi pines and camellias. These are a mix of native and international species. How we group them depends on the Garden’s theme. For example, at Mount Annan, we group acacias in one garden, while at the Royal Botanic Garden, we’re developing a South African Garden with a range of species from different families.
Why is the conservation of the Living Collections so important?
To be a botanic garden, there needs to be a scientific basis behind it. That’s where accessioning comes in – documenting what we hold and creating a strategy to conserve species. Our focus is primarily on Australian and New South Wales native species, though we also work with
international species. Conservation often involves species that are threatened under state, national or international legislation, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Is there a project you’re particularly proud of?
The Wollemi pine global conservation initiative is a great example of collaboration across national and international networks. We’ve sent plants to Australian and European gardens and plan to expand to the USA, New Zealand and parts of Asia. Working with comparable institutions helps us push for collective conservation goals and respond to global strategies like the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation under the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity.
What are the future plans for the Living Collections?
We’re currently finalising the Living Collections Action Plan, which will outline funding streams, including operational, capital, philanthropic or grant funding. Once that’s approved, we’ll integrate it into our strategic priorities for the next 20 years.
What impact does funding have on the Living Collections?
Foundation & Friends donated $500,000 to upgrade the irrigation system, which has enabled us to enhance the long-term resilience of our Living Collections, particularly by improving water management, which is essential for their maintenance.
What would additional funding allow you to do?
We could advance conservation efforts for Australian native species, implement more of the Strategy and expand projects requiring investment in infrastructure and conservation. I am so grateful for the support we have received, and people who recognise the importance of plants.
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Photo:
Botanic Gardens of Sydney
SINGAPORE
A Green Oasis Amid Urbanisation
The tropical ‘Garden City’ of Singapore has a rich horticultural and agricultural heritage, as John Siemon, Director Horticulture and Living Collections, discovered on a recent visit to the Global Botanic Gardens Congress.
Singapore is more than just a green city; it is a lush oasis unlike any urban landscape I have experienced. Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first Prime Minister had a vision to transform Singapore into a tropical ‘Garden City’ – today, that vision is palpable.
Streets are lined with dense, manicured greenery and The Fort Canning Park precinct, the site of Singapore’s first botanic garden, is a living testament to the city’s horticultural and agricultural heritage. In 1974, Singapore had fewer than 160,000 trees. By 2030, the city plans to have over eight million. From a concrete jungle to a leader in urban greening, Singapore demonstrates how green infrastructure can drive tourism and create a sustainable economy.
Exploring Singapore’s green wonders
Given the global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, Singapore was a fitting host for the Eighth Global Botanic Gardens Congress in August 2024. Our delegation of eight, funded by the Lorna and Clive Backhouse Scholarship and Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens, packed in an exciting itinerary over two weeks.
Pre-conference we had a series of tours led by the Singapore National Parks Board (NParks) team. The Botanic Gardens of Sydney have had a memorandum of understanding with NParks for several years and we have been actively collaborating, particularly in the germplasm and seed banking disciplines.
Our tour began with the Southern Ridges Walk –10 kilometres of trails through three parklands, connected by bridges and elevated walkways. This led us to HortPark, a hub for gardening resources, research and education with a 10-hectare nursery.
A personal highlight was visiting Gardens by the Bay, built on reclaimed land and comprising three precincts – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central. The 18 iconic
Supertrees, towering up to 50 metres high, are especially breathtaking.
In addition to beautiful, landscaped parklands, the 54-hectare Bay South site displays an outstanding botanical collection and two engineering masterpieces. The Flower Dome is a cool-dry conservatory of plants from Mediterranean-type semi-arid regions of the world with 28,000 plants. The Cloud Forest is a cool-moist conservatory of plants from Tropical montane regions including bromeliads, orchids, pitcher plants, begonias and ferns. We enjoyed seeing Wollemi pines dotted throughout, many supplied from our Mount Annan nursery.
We also spent a day exploring the Singapore Botanic Garden Living Collection and facilities, including the National Orchid Collection and their new seedbank, which was inspired by our Australian PlantBank. Similar in scale to our 11,900 species at Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the 165-year-old Garden holds almost 10,000 species, including the largest orchid collection in the world.
Sharing experience and knowledge
Over the next four days we heard from speakers from across the globe at the Global Botanic Gardens Congress. More than 900 delegates from 73 countries participated, delivering engaging and inspirational talks. Some take-home themes included: collaboration is at the heart of it all; data sharing and data-driven decisions are key; stepping outside the botanic garden and engaging with local communities is critical; and success comes with creating a city with people and biodiversity at its heart.
During our lunch breaks we explored the Singapore Garden Festival – two hectares of indoor show gardens across two levels of the conference centre incorporating floral artistry competitions, communitydesigned gardens and a plant sale area.
With 160,000 documented threatened plants across the globe we have a lot of work to do to save these species from extinction. By sharing our experiences and knowledge, locally and abroad, we can help create a more biodiverse, healthier, and more beautiful world.
Photos: John Siemon
The iconic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay tower up to 50 metres high
Floral Fantasy, Gardens by the Bay
Professor Brett Summerell enjoys the orchid collection
Orchids on display at the Singapore Botanic Garden
Incredible green building architecture
Plants in the Gardens
Discover more about the wonderful plants to look out for next time you visit the gardens.
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY
As summer arrives in the city, the Royal Botanic Garden becomes a refuge from the heat and bustle but there are also many often unnoticed nuances of our trees that I like to take in while I feel the heat ebb away in the shade.
While the native Idiospermum australiense flowers in winter, producing blooms that change colour kaleidoscopically as they age from cream to rich red, in summer its bark is a standout feature of the tree. As the tree ages it creates winding, flattened sections of bark reminiscent of snakes slithering their way up the trunk, giving the tree its common name – ribbonwood. Gazing at the looming Idiospermum near the Morshead Fountain Gate also serves to transport you back in time, with the oldest known fossil of this ancient tree dating back 88 million years.
Wending your way through the Native Rainforest, the Atherton Fig Ficus leptoclada, demonstrates an unusual and beautiful habit of some figs known as cauliflory; where the fig flowers and fruits out of its trunk. Just in time for Christmas, the lovely dark bark of the Atherton fig is adorned with tiny green and red festive figs. These figs have a symbiotic relationship with wasps, in which the wasp relies on the fig for reproduction, and the fig depends on the wasp for pollination, creating a delicate balance that ensures the survival of both species.
Family’s Cousin Itt, with its reddish-brown woolly strings of bark covering its trunk making it appear more like some strange animal rather than a small native tree.
As you pass by the Maiden Theatre, the Royal Tree Chrysophyllum imperiale is hard to miss, with its large domed canopy and concertinaed leaves. The golden new leaves emerge from the centre clusters of mature leaves which may be where it gets its ‘imperial’ name from, however this specimen at the Garden has its own royal roots. One of the oldest accessions in the garden, it was planted in 1868 by His Royal Highness Prince Alfred. Endangered in its natural habitat in Brazil and very rare in cultivation, this Chrysophyllum imperiale is one of the most storied and spectacular trees to hide from the summer heat under.
This summer, take a moment to notice the smaller details of our tree collection and you’ll find that little bit more wonder in their shade.
MARION WHITEHEAD, ACTING CURATOR MANAGER, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, SYDNEY
The stunning Grevillea banksii x bipinnatifida in bloom at the Gardens
Photo: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANIC GARDEN
This summer, we are thrilled to introduce a unique addition to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden – the Forest Lookout. Nestled in on the eastern peak of Mt Tomah, with its unparalleled views to the east, stretching all the way to Sydney and beyond, it offers a perfect spot to appreciate the vastness of the Blue Mountains wilderness.
Winding through the tall Eucalyptus fastigata trees, the 90m boardwalk and lookout offer visitors a cool refuge from the summer heat, while the various ferns and Wollemi pines fill out the forest floor. The contrast of these trees framing the multiple hues of blue presented by the mountains overlapping one another into the horizon makes it a truly special spot. An exceptional feature of the Boardwalk is that it is fully wheelchair-accessible, meaning all our guests can experience the pristine wilderness firsthand.
While the new lookout is a remarkable addition, it is just one of our many projects. We have ventured into the wilderness, going the extra mile, quite literally, to develop the Wollemi Conservation Collection. This collection, which marks the 30-year anniversary of the Wollemi’s rediscovery, is a testament to our unwavering dedication to preserving the wilderness. To celebrate this milestone, we held a commemorative planting with those who have been an integral part of the journey, planting a total of 43 trees.
With this recent planting, we now have all the plant material required to provide the world with the most genetically diverse source of Wollemi seed. This collection will grow into the most comprehensive in-ground in-situ collection and represent all known wild specimens. It is my hope that one day, future generations will be kind enough to wheel me out on that Boardwalk as an old grey man. I’ll see that collection waving in the wind and give it a mighty fine lecture about the good old days.
AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN
Summer has arrived following an amazing spring growth season. As I mentioned in my column in the spring issue, the Horticulture & Living Collections team altered the density seed rate for our paper daisy display. Not only did this see a reduction in fungal issues, but a display that lasted several weeks longer than usual.
This season, the team have been busy with the new summer display. Many of the specimens you will see out in the Garden for our summer display have been grown in our conservation nursery facility for some time, which ensures we can install an impactful mass display as soon as the material is planted out.
This year, we have expanded the material selection for our display with some new cultivars and some old favourites. The new material in use is also being trialed for consideration into other displays across the garden. Some of our key specimens that will be the backbone of the display consists of magnificent cultivars such as: Brachyscome ‘Fresco Purple’ and ‘White Bliss’, Chrysocephalum ‘Cates Orange’, Scaevola ‘Fairy White’ and ‘Pink Perfection’, Ptilotus manglesii ‘Rosie’, Conostylis candicans ‘Silversunrise’, Anigozanthos ‘Bush Crystal’, ‘Bush Pearl’, and ‘Bush Elegance’, and Isotoma Fizz ‘n’ Pop.
Across the site, you may have seen the increase in plantings and presentation as the team continues to refine the collections and displays they curate. A particular display that some may see as they drive in but has continued to grow in diversity is the Mount Annan Drive entrance, with many small to medium shrubs and ground covers being planted of various species.
A planting in this display that should come into flower this year is the stunning Corymbia hybrid ‘Summer Beauty’ Flowering Gum. When in full bloom, these cultivars are a blast of colour, and I look forward to seeing them in the coming months. I encourage you to check out this display the next time you visit.
ASH FILIPOVSKI, CURATOR MANAGER, BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANIC GARDEN
MICHAEL ELGEY, CURATOR MANAGER, AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN MOUNT ANNAN
Brachyscome ‘Fresco Purple’ Photo: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
The Forest Lookout Boardwalk
Photo: John Nel
GROWING FRIENDS
Transform your garden this summer with five standout plants that will thrive in the warmer months.
From hardy groundcovers to shrubs and vibrant blooms, these plants are perfect for adding colour, texture and resilience to your outdoor space, helping your garden thrive all season long.
Ceratopetalum
gummiferum (NSW Christmas Bush)
A winner for summer, this attractive shrub or small tree can grow up to 5m and produces a massed display of red sepals, commonly mistaken for flowers. The glossy green foliage and colourful sepals have made Ceratopetalum popular in the cut flower industry. Small white flowers appear in spring and in summer, the calyx turns dark pink to red. For best results, plant in sun or semi-shade in a free-draining, moist soil with an application of mulch. A light prune after flowering will maintain bushy growth.
Grevillea spp.
There are over 250 species of Grevillea in Australia as well as many cultivars. They are one of Australia’s most popular and widely cultivated plants, ranging from trees to shrubs and ground covers with spectacular flowers in a wide range of colours. The colour palette includes red, orange, yellow, cream, pink and white. These diverse plants attract honey-eating birds which act as pollinators in the garden while providing flowers over a long period. Grevillea spp. will grow in a variety of soils, providing they are free draining. They are difficult to transplant successfully, so choose the location carefully.
Flowers are pollinated by bees and wasps and the fruit attracts birdlife. In the urban garden it grows up to 2.5m and is suitable for containers. Best grown in full sun but will tolerate part-shade and free draining soil with ample moisture.
Goodenia ovata (Gold Cover)
With its beautiful yellow flowers and glossy green foliage, Goodenia ovata provides a splash of colour in the summer garden. This hardy perennial groundcover flowers from spring through to early autumn. Goodenia can be grown in coastal areas in a wide range of free-draining soils and is drought tolerant. An application of slow-release fertiliser in spring and an occasional light prune will ensure optimum results. Pop one in a hanging basket or container – you won’t be disappointed.
Salvia
Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. This family includes edible plants such as sage, rosemary, mint and medicinal herbs. Salvias have varied forms and habits and include annuals, perennials, woody shrubs and groundcovers. There are more than 900 named species with flowers in many colours – blue, red, yellow, white, purple, pink, green, brown and multi-coloured. In the summer garden Salvias flower over a long period, attracting birds, butterflies and insects. Place in a sunny position with free draining soil.
1 2 3 5 4 1 2 4 5 3
This colourful Australian native shrub has pink-mauve fragrant flowers throughout the warmer months and decorative foliage.
BELINDA MOON, GROWING FRIENDS SYDNEY
Photos 1-4: Glenn Smith Photography. Photo 5: Csilla Swain
Ceratopetalum gummiferum (NSW Christmas Bush)
Travel with Friends
Explore hidden landscapes and unique experiences that solo travellers can’t reach. With expert tour guides leading the way, you’ll benefit from their knowledge and connections. Tap into the extensive network of the Botanic Gardens for once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
Discover the beauty of Bhutan with our exclusive small-group horticultural tours. Stay in handpicked luxury locations that blend with the natural surroundings while exploring Bhutan’s most enchanting gardens and botanical wonders. Guided by passionate volunteer horticultural experts and local guides, each day offers tailored and exclusive experiences, from private garden tours to meetings with local horticulturists.
Enjoy gourmet meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and relax with full support from dedicated guides. Bhutan, known for its biodiversity and pristine natural landscape, boasts 46 varieties of rhododendrons, orchids, and forests of cedar, birch, maple and bamboo. Tourists can only travel through Bhutan as part of an organised tour group, and our tour offerings are designed to allow our guests to experience Bhutan in the springtime and enjoy the beauty of all the blooms.
Rambles and Rhododendrons in Bhutan
11 - 22 April 2025 Itinerary available
GRADE – Moderate*
ACCOMMODATION – 12 days/11 nights in premium accommodation
OTHER INCLUSIONS – All meals
MEMBER PRICE – $17,450 twin share (land content only). Single supplement available.
MEMBER PRICE – $13,650 twin share (land content only). Single supplement available.
BOOKINGS CLOSING SOON
Namibia & South Africa
September 2025 - We are taking expressions of interest for a trip in 2025. Please contact us to register your interest.
GRADE – Moderate*
ACCOMMODATION – 21 nights
This tour features the starkly beautiful desert landscapes and fascinating arid-adapted flora of the Namib desert, mass flowerings of intensely coloured Namaqualand daisies, the botanical diversity of the Cape Floristic region, and the fantastic megafauna of Southern Africa.
ESCORT – Dr Peter Weston
TOUR OPERATOR – World Expeditions
For more information or to book please visit botanicgardens.org.au/whats-on or contact us at foundation.friends@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au
*Moderate: The walking is moderate but at altitudes above 2,000m. A good level of active fitness is required for this trip. **Moderate/Strenuous While distances are short (maximum 12km per day) this trek requires fitness and endurance for walking and camping at altitudes with daily ascents and descents of up to 1,000m at altitudes to 4,200m.
Rhododendrons in full bloom
Photos: World Expeditions
Year in review
This annual update celebrates the growth and impact achieved by our Foundation & Friends community. From vibrant events and meaningful initiatives to successful plant sales, our donors, members and volunteers are at the heart of all we have accomplished. Here’s to another year of bold and positive change.
From the Chair
As Chair of Foundation & Friends I am constantly inspired by the commitment, generosity and passion of our members, donors, volunteers and team. Our progress would not have been possible without our Botanic Gardens community.
This year, we achieved some important milestones: a record-breaking New Year’s Eve Picnic, a notable increase in donation income, and our highest recorded annual turnover for Growing Friends Plant Sales. These achievements have reinforced our financial position, providing confidence in our future.
Our deepest gratitude goes to our dedicated volunteers. In the past year more than 340 volunteers contributed an amazing 30,000 hours — their time, enthusiasm and skills are critical to our success.
I would like to extend my thanks to the Board members for their invaluable contributions. Special recognition is due to retiring Board members Jenny Lourey, Clive Austin and Matt Glascott who together have dedicated over 30 years of service and leadership. Recently,
we welcomed Kris Anderson to the Board bringing a unique skillset of strategic fundraising and non-profit leadership. At our recent AGM, we welcomed two new Directors, whose skills and dedication will further strengthen our organisation.
We are grateful for our close relationship with the Garden’s Trust leadership including new appointments Richard Nunn, Chair, and Simon Duffy, Chief Executive, both of whom have shown their active support for our organisation. Thank you to everyone at the Trust with whom we are actively planning new initiatives that will create exciting opportunities for the Gardens and our community.
It has been a privilege to have been Chair of this wonderful organisation, Foundation & Friends.
As I conclude my six-year term, I sincerely thank again wholeheartedly all the supporters and partners who make our Botanic Gardens community so vibrant and impactful.
IAN BREEDON, CHAIR
“It has been a privilege to have been Chair of this wonderful organisation, Foundation & Friends, over the past six years.“
IAN BREEDON
Photo: Bigga Haataja
“The strategic shift at Foundation & Friends is well underway and we are excited for our community to grow and create more impact at the Gardens.“
PETE THOMAS
From the CEO
One of the more significant achievements this past year was delivering over $580,000 worth of cutting-edge equipment for the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience (ReCER) laboratory. Thanks to the generous support of our donors and members, this important resource is elevating the critical scientific work of the Gardens to the next level –accelerating progress in addressing the impacts of climate change, saving our precious rainforests and ensuring the survival of our rich plant diversity.
We know that our members, donors and volunteers care deeply about the future of the Gardens and of our plant life. This is what drives our engaged and vibrant community.
As we look to the year ahead, we are intensifying our efforts to raise funds and highlight the scientific, horticultural and educational work of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney. The strategic shift at Foundation & Friends is well underway and we are excited for our community to grow and create more impact at the Gardens.
Working closely with the Gardens, we have identified several exciting projects poised to bring about transformational change, and I look forward to sharing these with you soon. It has been very heartwarming to
see so many more supporters, many of them long-term volunteers, choosing to make the special decision to leave a gift in their will. This is true future planning and will have incredible impact for generations to come.
With the year drawing to a close, many of us are preparing for the festive season. Our signature New Year’s Eve Picnic has been expanded and enhanced, promising to welcome a record number of members and their guests to our spectacular site for an unforgettable celebration.
In another key initiative driven by our strategy, the Board of Foundation & Friends has recently approved a comprehensive growth plan for our much-loved Growing Friends Plant Sales. This initiative will enhance the retail experience for both volunteers and the public and connect even more people with the Gardens.
Finally, a huge thank you to all those who have contributed over the past year. I look forward to our continued engagements in the year ahead – see you in the Gardens soon!
PETE THOMAS, CEO
Photo:
Csilla Swain
How Your Support Made a Difference
OUR PEOPLE
4,287 Supporters
Our growing community makes everything we do possible
344 Volunteers
Contributing to nine volunteer programs
29,211 Hours Of volunteer time given to the Gardens
SUPPORT
$1,507,267 of donations paid to the Gardens
KEY PROJECTS FUNDED
$586,346 ReCER Lab & DNA Robot
$122,183 Systematic Bryophytes
“Volunteers are at the heart of Growing Friends. We joined because we believe in the value of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.“
SHEILA VAN HOLST –GROWING FRIENDS VOLUNTEER
Supporting Global Connections
In October 2023, Foundation & Friends supported Dr Cathy Offord and John Siemon’s participation in the global launch of the Wollemi pine meta-collection at the Bedgebury National Pinetum in the UK. Cathy’s visit included meeting with key partners, including Dr Hannah Wilson of the International Conifer Conservation Programme, to strengthen international collaborations and gain insights into the conservation of Wollemi pines across global botanic gardens and arboreta. This visit was in advance of our 2024 October celebration of the Wollemi pine campaign.
Photo: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
Events and Experiences: Growing Together
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Philanthropy
Total raised: $820,000 in donations.
Exhibitions
Exhibition Sales: $203,106 raised in commission from art exhibitions.
Over the past 12 months, philanthropy has been a central focus at Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens. We have strengthened our processes to communicate the impact of our work, sharing stories of how donations support the Botanic Gardens and creating a calendar of events to engage with our community.
Our unique supporter experiences included tours of the Australian PlantBank, talks with our Botanic Gardens CE and Foundation & Friends CEO, sessions with the librarian of the Daniel Solander Library, and tours of the Australian Watercolour Institute and Botanica exhibitions. We also hosted supporters at Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE and welcomed our End Of Financial Year appeal donors at the opening of the Alchemy of a Rainforest exhibition.
Plants
Plant Sales: $274,285 in Growing Friends plant sales.
Supporters
Supporter Participation: Over 1,938 supporters engaged through workshops, classes, and special events.
This solid foundation in philanthropy has set the stage for exciting new projects and initiatives in the coming year. Thank you to all our donors and members – your support makes a huge difference to plant conservation and plant science. We couldn’t do it without you!
Our New Year’s Eve Picnic drew record attendance, generating $494,993 in ticket sales, while Artisans in the Gardens showcased over 40 artists, raising funds through natureinspired artworks. In addition to these flagship events, we hosted a range of workshops, tours, and member-only gatherings that brought together more than 1,900 supporters.
“The Botanic Gardens conduct world-class botanic science and provide wonderful spaces for the community. We’re inspired to donate by our parents’ love for the gardens, and their connection to Mount Tomah. We want to continue our support long into the future.“
RAOUL & SUSANNE DE FERRANTI – FOUNDATION & FRIENDS SUPPORTERS
Greg Lamont and Carol Griesser Photo: Deep Hill Media
CITRUS
A WORLD HISTORY
The story of citrus permeates human history, as recorded in the literature and art of civilisations from antiquity to present day. Citrus: A World History, by David Mabberley, delves into this superfood and its journey from the ancient world to the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney.
Still Life with Bowl of Citrons, Giovanna Garzoni
Photo: The J. Paul Getty Museum
This is an edited extract of Citrus: A World History by
David Mabberley
When Australia, home to native species of Citrus, was first settled by Europeans in 1788, the British ‘First Fleet’ arrived with oranges, limes and lemons picked up from Rio de Janeiro on the way, as instructed by Joseph Banks.
After over 250 days at sea, the settlers planted fruit trees with seeds from Rio and the Cape of Good Hope. The first to bear fruit were those grown by the Reverend Richard Johnson (1756–1827), the colony’s chaplain, in the two acres allotted to him in Bridge Street, Sydney.
In 1807 George Suttor (1774–1859) was selling oranges at 2/6 a dozen at a Sydney market and, by 1830, a grove at Kissing Point was producing 12,000 dozen oranges a year. By 1834, Suttor was selling ‘2,000 dozen oranges at 8 pence, and 1,000 dozen lemons at 6 pence’.
By World War I, the demand for lemon juice in Australia had not abated and a lemon industry developed on Norfolk Island. In 1917 alone, 901 casks of lemon juice and 1,121 of peel – products of about four million lemons – were exported and, by 1921, the industry accounted for 57 per cent of the island’s exports. But as the mainland Australian citrus industry revived in the 1920s, Norfolk Island’s lemon industry fizzled out.
As early as 1828, the botanic garden in Sydney was growing sixteen cultivars of sweet orange, including the ‘Bahia’ navel introduced from Brazil in 1824; four kinds of ‘mandarin’; three of pomelo and two of citron; besides lemons and limes. In the same year, the colony was exporting oranges and lemons to Tasmania.
From about 1839 to 1860, Richard Hill (1810–1895), a prosperous pastoralist and politician, owned a large plantation on the Lane Cove River, a branch of the Parramatta River flowing into Sydney Harbour. He exported oranges to the Victorian goldfields and at its peak made profits of £50 a day. In 1856, his 800 trees yielded 56,000 dozen oranges for the Sydney market; in 1858 his yield was some 60,000 dozen oranges. Unlike the Americas and Africa, Australia already had native Citrus species, some of which had long been used by Aboriginal people, but it was not until some years after European colonisation that they were scientifically described. Their documenting was at least in part a way of assessing what of the ‘natural productions’ would be of commercial significance in the economies of the colonies that were to make up the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.
These species are now of great interest because of their disease-resistance, yet are little known. They are here dealt with in some detail for the first
time. The Australian species are part of the easternmost subgrouping of the genus Citrus Although closely related to one another according to DNA analyses, between them they have much greater morphological diversity and ecological tolerance than the rest of the genus put together.
New Caledonia has two or three native species, Papua New Guinea three, but Australia has six, found in a wide range of habitats, from tropical rainforest to semi-arid grassland. The first known to Western science was Citrus australis, the dooja, which is restricted to the subtropical rainforests of south-east Queensland and can reach 18m (59 feet) tall, spreading by suckering roots. It produces round, rough-skinned green to yellow fruits up to 8cm (3in.) in diameter, but was not recognised as a species of Citrus until 1858.
Meanwhile, the desert lime, lime bush or desert kumquat (Citrus Glauca), had been known to science from the collections of Major Thomas Mitchell. He collected it in 1846 on his fourth expedition into what is now Queensland, but only in 1932 was it recognised as a true Citrus.
Citrus: A World History by David Mabberley ($69.99, Thames & Hudson).
What’s On
Festive activities
NEW YEAR’S EVE PICNIC
Welcome 2025 with Foundation & Friends
Mare and Foal Lawn, Royal Botanic Garden
Tue 31 December, 5pm - 12.15am
One of the highlights of the Gardens’ calendar is the New Year’s Eve Picnic, hosted by Foundation & Friends since 1996. We invite you, your friends and family to join us at the Mare and Foal Lawn, which offers one of the best harbourside vantage points with a stunning view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. This BYO event is perfect for groups of all ages, including families and children. Sydney’s New Year’s Eve is renowned as one of the most spectacular events globally, featuring a breathtaking firework display that captivates audiences worldwide. Our picnic area is fully enclosed and secure, providing a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy your favourite snacks and the beautiful surrounds. By celebrating the New Year with Foundation & Friends, you’re also helping to support the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
From $185 for adults, $45 for children
WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP
A touch of festive flair Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden Sun 1 December 10 - 11.30am
With the festive season just around the corner and longer, warmer days ahead, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your Christmas decorations. What better way to welcome the season than with a beautiful wreath on your front door? Join our talented florist, Caitlin Bye, for a wreath-making workshop, where you’ll create a unique wreath that blends fresh and dried flowers to reflect your personal style. It’s perfect for adding a festive touch to your home or gifting to someone special. Book your spot today and start the season with a little holiday cheer.
Cost: from $150
These are just some of the experiences you can enjoy across our three Gardens this summer. From engaging events and fascinating exhibitions to guided walks, tours, and interactive workshops, there’s something for everyone.
For more information about our events, and to book, visit botanicgardens.org.au/Whats-On scan the QR code or phone 02 9231 8182
SANTA’S STUDIO
Fun Christmas craft for families Moore Room, Royal Botanic Garden Thu 19 or Fri 20 December, 10.30am – 12pm and 1 - 2.30pm
Bring your little elves to the Botanic Gardens this December to create beautiful natural Christmas crafts. Join our educators to learn about the plants that make our holiday season special and take home some gorgeous hand-made presents for family and friends. Children will be introduced to a range of art mediums and natural materials. Dress-ups encouraged!
DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS
Outdoor theatre for everyone Araucaria Lawn, near Joseph Maiden Pavilion, Royal Botanic Garden Fri 20 December, 11am and 1pm
Enjoy a hilarious Christmas show in the Botanic Garden this December: Elfis and Elvin the Elves have been sent to Australia to make preparations for Santa’s visit, but things don’t go quite to plan. These two cheeky elves will have you laughing and singing as they battle the harsh Aussie environment to make sure Christmas happens.
Exhibitions & events
PLANTOLOGY
BOOK LAUNCH
The Garden Gallery Royal Botanic Garden Thurs 6 March, 5.30 - 7pm
Celebrate the launch of Plantology: The Essential Guide to Better Gardens with horticulturists Teena Crawford and Lisa Ellis. With over 60 years’ combined experience in horticulture and planting design, they’ll share insights from this essential guide. Join us for an exciting panel discussion on the topic ‘for the love of plants’, with leading Australian landscape architects, whose garden designs are featured in the book.
The panel will include Jane Stark (Stark Designs), Nicola Cameron (Pepo Botanic Design), Matthew Cantwell (Secret Gardens) and Myles Baldwin (Myles Baldwin Design).
From $16.50
From $16.50
From $55
Walks & talks
GHOSTLY GARDENS
Woolloomooloo Gate, Royal Botanic Garden
Fri 31 January and 28 February (times vary according to sunset)
Take a twilight adventure through the Royal Botanic Garden in this spine-tingling storytelling event. In a rare opportunity to come within the Garden Gates after hours, you’ll journey along shadowy tree-lined paths, creep past gloomy ponds and tiptoe through eerie grottos. You’ll hear spooky and kooky stories of the Garden’s past – tales of people long-since dead – as bats flit above your head and night creatures stare from the treetops on this unforgettable tour of the ‘ghostly garden’.
Suitable for 12+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult. From $40
SUNSET SPOTLIGHT
Experience the Garden at night
Woolloomooloo Gate, Royal Botanic Garden
Wed 15 and 22 January, 8 - 9.30pm
Experience the Garden and its fascinating nightlife on this adventure by torchlight. The Garden is an oasis waiting to be explored! We’ll wander the garden pathways and visit biodiversity ‘hotspots’ such as the ponds to look for nocturnal animals – some who fly in for the night, others who are long-term residents.
Suitable for 7+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult. From $36
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS TALK
Discover the heritage of the Garden Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden Wed 5 February, 10 - 11.30am
Explore the Garden’s deep and rich history and heritage at this talk with historian and horticulturist Paul Nicholson. Paul will share stories of this land from 1788 to present day, our historic living collection and the interesting people who helped shaped it. Listen to fascinating tales of plant exploration, zoos, fires, celebrations, hardship, layers of heritage, scientific discovery and today’s ongoing conservation.
From $40
QUEER PLANTS WALK
Experience diverse plant life at sunset Royal Botanic Garden Thurs 27 February, 5.30 - 7pm
Join Paul Nicholson, horticulturalist and historian, on a guided romp through the garden to learn how plants have been successfully embracing diversity for millions of years. We will reveal the sexy, scandalous and sweet secrets of our plants and why striving to understand them matters. The event starts at the Foundation & Friends terrace with a glass of wine.
From $40
Classes & workshops
NATURE JOURNALLING
Connect creatively with your environment
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
Sun 8 December (Ripples and Reflections), Sun 19 January (Nature’s Symphony) & Sun 16 February (Blue Mountains Rainforest), 10am - 12.30pm
Discover the benefits of nature journalling while deepening your connection with the environment around you. Each session is led by a Garden Educator – an inspired artist and nature enthusiast – who will guide you to various parts of the garden, from vibrant blooms to cascading waterfalls and lush rainforests. Along the way, you’ll receive guidance, instruction and creative prompts to help you start your nature journalling journey.
Suitable for adults. From $81
AMAZING BUTTERFLIES IN WATERCOLOUR & INK
Joseph Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden
Wed 12 – Fri 14 February, 9.30am - 4pm
Learn botanical art from Anna Voytsekhovich, scientist, scientific illustrator, botanical artist and wildlife illustrator. Workshop participants will learn interesting facts about butterflies and learn painting techniques including painting iridescence and wings with different colours and textures. Students will produce an initial drawing of an object, learn about scale and composition, then transfer it on paper and produce a beautiful scientifically accurate illustration in watercolour or watercolour and ink.
Book today
Kids activities
From $440 From
BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANIC GARDEN
WE’RE GOING ON A BUG HUNT
Waratah Room
Wed January 15 and 22 – 10.30am
AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN
WE’RE GOING ON A BUG HUNT
Bowden Centre
Wed January 15 – 10.30am I Wed Jan 22 – 1pm I
Wed January 29 – 10.30am
WILD WATER DREAMING (FIRST NATIONS GUIDES)
Bowden Centre
Wed January 15 and 29 – 1pm I Wed Jan 22 – 10am
SEEDLINGS NATURE SCHOOL
Wed 12 February to Wed 2 Apr – 9.30 - 11.30am
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN
WE’RE GOING ON A BUG HUNT
Rathborne Lodge
Mon January 13 – 1pm I Tue January 14, Wed 15, Tue 21, Wed 22 and Thurs 23 – 10.30am and 1pm
WILD WATER DREAMING (FIRST NATIONS GUIDES)
Rathborne Lodge
Every Tue & Wed I January 14 to 29 – 10.30am
SEEDLINGS NATURE SCHOOL
Tues 11 February – 1 Apr Thurs 13 Feb – 3 Apr - 10am – 12pm
FIVE MINUTES WITH
Michelle Isherwood, Office Volunteer
Inspired by her love of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Michelle joined Foundation & Friends just over a year ago and shares her thoughts on the volunteering experience so far.
What inspired you to become a volunteer?
I enjoyed coming here and became interested in getting involved. After a quick search on the [Gardens] website, I found information about the various volunteer programs, and I thought, well, plant propagation was maybe not for me, but administration, that I can do! That’s my background.
How did you first get involved with Foundation & Friends?
I came to an event, which I booked using a voucher from the new member pack. It was a great event. I got chatting to Linda, the Office Coordinator about volunteering, put my name down, and not too long after, I got a call.
What does your role involve?
I come in one day a week and volunteer in the office reception. I enjoy the range of administrative tasks, from talking to people over the phone and face-to-face, to processing memberships and event bookings. There is always something new to learn!
What do you enjoy about it?
I love interacting with a wide range of people in this role. Foundation & Friends has a positive organisational culture. To me, it is like being part of a close-knit family. Everyone here works collaboratively towards achieving the vision and goals of the Foundation.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering at Foundation & Friends?
I would say just give it a go! Think about what you enjoy doing, decide which volunteer program suits you best and give it a try.
Volunteer with the Gardens
CAN YOU HELP?
We currently have vacancies for the following roles:
Growing Friends, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney (Friday and Sunday)
– Propagate and sell rare and unusual plants from the Living Collections.
– Get exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the Living Collections.
– Share your passion and knowledge of plants and gardening with interested shoppers.
Growing Friends, Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan
– Propagate native plants ready for sale at the gift shop.
– Work with rare natives such as dendrobiums and Wollemi pines.
– Enjoy a unique location at Mount Annan surrounded by stunning Australian Natives.
Catering Team
– Prepare and serve cakes, slices, biscuits and light lunches at exhibitions, pop-up cafes, art classes and VIP events.
GET INVOLVED
Ignite your passion for nature and make a lasting impact. By volunteering with Foundation & Friends, you’ll play a crucial role in preserving our beautiful gardens and help raise vital funds to continue the important scientific and conservation work at its green heart. Connect with fellow plant enthusiasts and gain hands-on experience in horticulture and conservation. Your time and energy will help preserve vibrant spaces and inspire visitors of all ages. Feel the joy of watching your contributions bloom! Ready to make a difference? Join us and let’s grow a greener future together.
To get involved, contact our Volunteer Coordinator on (02) 9231 8182, or visit botanicgardens.org.au
Twin Eucalypts
There are two old trees occupying pride of place in Sydney, on the Bennelong Lawn overlooking Bennelong Point, the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, with magnificent harbour views to the north, east and west.
They are twin Eucalyptus tereticornis (forest red gum), and their origins have been a matter of considerable debate over recent decades. Various stories were told that they were remnant trees pre-dating European settlement or that they were planted by Bennelong himself.
What is certain is that the trees stand proudly on the Bennelong Lawn headland and have probably survived for a couple of centuries, despite undergoing many of the stresses of inner city living. The lawn beneath has for a long time been a popular location for functions and events. Such intensive activity inevitably involves the roots being subject to additional compaction damage from the extra visitation. The trees are also growing on a rock shelf with limited soil volume for root growth. They have also survived lightning strikes, the most recent in 2017.
To manage these challenges, the trees receive lots of extra care from Royal Botanic Garden arborists and horticulturists, and are protected during events by the
arborists and event managers. Consequently, the trees continue to push on, and although there are substantial hollows throughout, housing resident brush-tail possums, and seasonal nesting sulphur-crested cockatoos, they continue to thrive.
Several other trees across the Royal Botanic Garden are considered to pre-date European settlement. These include other forest red gum and a few Casuarina glauca (swamp sheoak). There are also a couple of probable remnant trees in the Woolloomooloo and Yurong precincts of the Domain. These are a forest red gum, an Angophora costata (Sydney red gum) and a couple of Eucalyptus pilularis (blackbutt).
David Bidwell, Consulting Arborist and proprietor of Rainbow Tree Consultancy. Former Senior Arborist Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain, 1993-2017.
The twin eucalypts at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
