Turf management
There is approximately 15 hectares of turf in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, providing a robust and pleasant passive recreation space. The landscape design of the Gardens is reliant upon having broad expanses of turf, which provide a visual contrast to the trees and shrubberies.
There is approximately 15 hectares of turf in the Gardens. This resilient surface provides a multi-purpose area for visitors to enjoy. The majority of lawns are composed primarily of Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) which is a hard-wearing grass that grows during the warmer months and requires less irrigation than cooler season grasses.
Unlike many gardens around the world, visitors are invited to enjoy the lawns for picnics or other social gatherings.
The landscape style of RBG Melbourne relies on an interesting relationship between mass (trees and shrubberies) and void (turf or lawns). The lawns allow the viewer’s eye to follow the vistas and views, and to explore the definition of space.
RBG Melbourne has developed a Turf Strategy Plan 2008 – 2011 (MS Word - 1.27 mb), which provides a framework for long term turf management.
Last updated 10 Oct 2011
