PROFILE: FLEMING’S NURSERIES
Australia’s evolving plant palettes Leanne Gillies, Fleming’s Nurseries
Selecting future climate ready plants for Australian cities and gardens is a hot topic at present with various views and debates surrounding what should and should not be planted. While environmental awareness is relatively new, plant selection options have always been in a constant state of evolution. Looking back to one of Fleming’s Nurseries early catalogues from 1968, the ornamental tree offering was limited to just Acer palmatum, Fraxinus, Betula, Ulmus, Liquidambar, flowering Prunus and Syringa.
superior options are superseding older varieties. Most long-term production nurseries will be able to offer similar reflections of the change that has occurred in their product range.
By 1992, with a new generation at the helm and an increase in relationships with international breeding programs, the Fleming’s range dramatically increased to the point where the publication of a book was warranted. Just over 220 deciduous ornamental trees were described.
The key point is that reviewing trees that suit the current and future market, is a constant – it is always happening. The conversation may not always be as urgent and passionate, but the work is invariably happening behind the scenes. Breeders and growers lead a constant effort to improve on the current market standard.
Leap forward 30 years, and the number of cultivars now being produced by Fleming’s has doubled, despite just 30% of the trees in the first book still being in production. Highlighting that
Advances that are seen as desirable include unique and urban appropriate habits, pest and disease resistance, tolerance to urban conditions such as pollution, compacted soils, heat and
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GROUNDSWELL APRIL 2022
