NGIV Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria: Tour of the Australian Capital Territory

By Elliott Akintola

The recent Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria (TSG) tour to the ACT from 18 to 19 of April brought together a fantastic group of people. From growers to industry suppliers, everyone was excited to learn and explore. The itinerary promised something for everyone: informative stops, beautiful sights, and of course, delicious food and wine, ensuring a memorable couple of days for all attendees.

Day1:

Part 1 – Guided Tour of Government House

The day dawned with the excitement of a school field trip, as attendees were whisked away on a guided tour of the illustrious Government House, Canberra. But before the journey could commence, a crucial orientation session awaited our intrepid bus driver, Christopher, ensuring a smooth ride through the estate’s verdant grounds. Welcomed by the head of the gardening and grounds team, participants were regaled with tales of history and briefed on the rules of engagement – a necessity with over 2,000 scouts encamped nearby.

Then, our knowledgeable guide kicked off the tour sharing fascinating stories about the estate’s history and the incredible gardens as we ventured through the Governor-General’s residence. Attendees were transported back in time through the historic gardens and the deep heritage the location embodied. It was truly heartwarming to feel and touch trees that were over 100 years old, with the oldest being 400 years old and still thriving. Among the botanical wonder was the addition came in August 2014 with the planting of a hedge of Gallipoli Centenary Roses, chosen to honour the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign in 2015. The planting was gracefully conducted by Lady Cosgrove, spouse of Sir Peter Cosgrove, adding another layer of significance to this touching tribute. The Government House, or the Governor-General's residence, was a treasure trove of history, illustrating a profound appreciation for the industry's enduring impact across generations.

Deodar (Cedrus deodara) which was thought to have been shipped from the United Kingdom in 1873 and planted around 1840 by Terrence Murray absolutely standing tall and proud! It is worthy of note that each tree was tagged, indexed and included in an AborPlan database to ensure that they are meticulously documented and cared for. The group spotted the Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak) planted by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself in October 2011 thriving alongside one planted by The Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh – though the groundskeeper remains baffled by the Queen’s oak outshining its royal counterpart!

His Majesty the King, during his princely days, planted three trees, including a flourishing English Oak in 1966. Other dignitaries, like past presidents of the USA, Greece, and Ireland, also joined the green movement. Planting trees became a cherished wishlist among visiting dignitaries, leaving enduring legacies.

Amidst the lush gardens crafted by various Governor Generals’ spouses, like the Gowrie Garden and Hasluck Rhododendron Garden, the historic buildings stood as architectural gems.

Their exteriors meticulously preserved, with interiors repurposed into offices, including one rumoured to decide prestigious Australian honours — though, alas, not revealed to us! Notably, the former horse stables now house a rare Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, a majestic relic of 1970, commissioned for the Australian Government. The four-door beast built in Cheshire England remains in its original element and one of the 374 Phantom VIs ever made. Only His Majesty King Charles III boasts two in his fleet, making it a royal rarity indeed!

As a fitting finale, attendees were treated to an exploration of the Bravery Garden, envisioned by former Governor General Sir William Deane after his journey to Gallipoli in 1999. This sanctuary serves as a poignant venue for the Australian Bravery Association, honouring individuals who, in the face of danger, selflessly aided those in need. It stands not just as a place for reflection but also as a testament to human resilience and courage. The garden’s centrepiece comprises five plinths arranged in the shape of the Southern Cross. The plantings include a Rosemary bank, Ornamental Pears and a mixture of Australian and New Zealand plants. A particularly poignant PLANT SEARCH

Day1:

Part 2 – Exploring the National Botanic Gardens

Continuing our journey, we ventured to the renowned Australian National Botanic Gardens on the lower slopes of Black Mountain in Canberra. Here, participants immersed themselves in the splendour of native Australian flora, guided by knowledgeable experts. The Botanic Garden boasts the world’s most comprehensive display of living Australian native plants and is home to the Australian National Herbarium with over 1.2 million specimens.

Spanning 99 acres, the Botanic Gardens showcase more than 4,300 species, representing one-fifth of Australia’s native plants in one location. Our tour guide led us through various areas, starting with the Tropical Rainforest section. We marvelled at the misting technology maintaining optimal climatic conditions for the plants. The garden aims to authentically replicate the Australian landscape, with rainforests mirroring the fauna of eastern Australia.

Next, we explored the Rock Garden, featuring plants from desert to alpine areas of Australia. The group then moved on to the Red Centre Garden highlighting Central Australia flora inspired by ecosystems within 500km of Alice Springs. This encompasses the northern parts of South Australia, Western Queensland, and the southern parts of the Northern Territory. This area pays homage to the physical and spiritual heart of Indigenous Australia as illustrated by the centre piece artwork by Indigenous artist Teresa Purla Mckeeman that is replicated on a computer laser-cut lylen 6mm steel plates filled with epoxy grout. The stunning design signifies the dance tracks of a women-only Aboriginal dancing ceremony. Be sure to say hello to the Thorny devil Lizard sculpture at the site!

As plant growers and professionals, the group couldn’t ignore the stunning Proteaceae display, especially Banksias, Waratah, Grevilleas to mention a few, amongst the estimated 850 species native to Australia. Strolling past the Mallee plants, Myrtaceae family, and Acacia genus, we gained a deeper appreciation for the meticulous maintenance of the gardens, divided into over 360 sections. The Australian Botanic Garden was indeed a place for recreation, inspiration, science and learning.

Day 2:

Delving into Horticultural Heritage

By 8 am, participants were already enroute to Yarralumla Government Nursery. Established in 1914, with the first plant being produced in 1916, this nursery has played a critical role in Canberra’s landscape development. Originally spanning more than 70 acres, Yarralumla is a key supplier for ACT Government projects, offering employment opportunities to various groups, including apprentices and disadvantaged individuals. It is important to note that the nursery is an ACT-Government-owned business.

Producing about half a million plants each year, the nursery boasts a diverse collection of 1,100 species, approximately 50% being Australian natives and other 50% exotic beauties. They even pioneered a special technique for directly sowing Aussie trees (principally Eucalyptus) into specially designed tubes, ensuring a strong and healthy root system. This innovative approach has become an industry standard, and Yarralumla continues to push the boundaries of plant propagation.

The nursery also sells plant materials to local and interstate landscape contractors and undertakes contract growing for the nursery industry, Greening Australia, hobby farmers, rural landowners, district councils and government directorates. A key function of the nursery is to provide employment to apprentices, students, physically or mentally disadvantaged persons and ‘work for the dole scheme’ participants. Worthy of note is the nursery’s participation in the rehabilitation of convicts and helping them to transition back into the society with valuable nursery skillset.

Yarralumla Nursery has been operating a free plant issue scheme for almost 100 years. The scheme was designed to enable new landowners have access to plants in establishing a sustainable garden suited to the Canberra climate while improving the environmental advantages and aesthetics to their homes and surrounding. The nursery has been involved in several major projects including the ongoing propagation and production of several rare species of plants for the National Arboretum Canberra. Since its establishment, the nursery has propagated over 50 million plants to help beautify Canberra’s landscape. Yarralumla Nursery was awarded the ‘Best Government Nursery in ACT/NSW’ for two years in a row in 2010 and 2011 as part of the Nursery and Garden Industry Awards.

The nursery holds a treasure trove of over 15,000 handwritten index cards dating back to their very beginnings. And get this: they even have a seed bank containing seeds collected over 70 years ago that are still viable! We had a blast trying to find the oldest seed – maybe you’ll get your chance to play detective on your visit!

Following from the insightful visit to Yarralumla, our next stop was Heritage Park Nursery, offering a valuable insight into the retail landscape of Canberra. The quality of plants and the intricate display of items allowed the group to ruminate on innovative ideas and sparked discussion on sustainable practices for successful plant production.

The tour culminated with a visit to the iconic National Arboretum, where participants were treated to a captivating exploration of vast botanical landscapes and towering trees spanning over 250 hectares. As the world’s only monocultural arboretum of this scale, it’s dedicated to tree conservation, research, and education since its public opening in 2013. The Arboretum is home to the iconic Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, award-winning Village Centre POD playground and the renowned National Bonsai and Penjing Collection.

The group was first intrigued by the bonsai and penjing collection at the Arboretum. A collection that consists of over 70 trees on display, featuring a variety of traditional and modern styles whilst highlighting Australian native species including Banksia serrata and Eucalyptus camaldulensis’. The patience and skill involved in tree training left the group in a mesmerised awe.

The Arboretum adventure concluded atop Dairy Farmers Hill lookout, offering a panoramic view of the Arboretum, Canberra and beyond. Wrangling attendees for photos proved challenging but worth it for the unforgettable finale to our two-day journey.

The NGIV's Tree and Shrub Growers Tour of the Australian Capital Territory, from the verdant gardens of Government House to the towering trees of the arboretum was an opportunity for discovery and inspiration.

All members are invited and encouraged to join us at NGIV’s networking events, including our annual state tours. For more information, keep an eye on ngiv.com.au/events.