Australian Garden Tour - Howson Hill & Research Plots

Join senior staff members for an Australian Garden tour that focuses on horticultural research at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. We will explore some ‘cutting edge’ developments that are being harnessed in the Research Plots, the Cultivar Garden and Howson Hill. The tour will be led by Indra Kurzeme (Manager, Public Programs), Megan Hirst (Seed Bank Officer and PhD researcher) and Jill Burness (Landscape Planner).

You will hear about the design process and the plants that are located in these three distinct and complementary spaces, including a lovely story about the ‘unique Nuytsia floribunda (Western Australian Christmas Tree) on Howson Hill.

As a special treat, you will hear about the research projects undertaken by Indra Kurzeme and Megan Hirst. Indra has been responsible for research into the propagation of the native grass, Hemarthria uncinata. This grass species is indigenous to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and is being cultivated as a native lawn at the Ian Potter Lakeside Precinct. We hope that it will be a suitable replacement for kikuyu, in the near future. Indra’s work has been pivotal to the establishment of this ground-breaking initiative.

Meg Hirst has collected daisies from all over Australia: from the alpine areas to the deserts and to the coast. She is testing the impact of climate change by controlling the temperature of the growing medium. This is a complex and detailed study, but you will find Meg has an amusing and engaging personality, as she explains the progress of her PhD work.

After the tour, you may wish to enjoy some lunch at the Boon Wurrung Café, or take a stroll through the bushland. Bring the family, and have a day at the Gardens.

When:
Monday, 29 April
10.00am–12.00pm

Where:
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
Meet at the Visitor Centre Reception

Cost:
$15 members $20 non-members

Bookings/enquiries:
Bookings open Monday 4 March.