California Collection Sharing a similar climate with Victoria the California collection demonstrates the diverse flora of California and the potential for growing Californian native plants in Victorian gardens. California and Victoria share a similar landscape and climate. Like Victoria the climate and geography of California varies enormously. Across the state there are hot dry deserts, temperate coastal areas, shrubby heathlands and cold windswept mountains tops. Due to these similarities many Californian plants can be grown in Victorian gardens. Californian flora is rich and diverse both in the total number of species and in the number that are endemic that is, that grow only in California. Adaptable and water wise the Californian collection has a lot to offer and admire. Key Plants
Curator Notes
History
Key Plants
| Arctostaphylos pungens | Shrub, Burgundy trunk , pink flowers | | Dudleya species
| Rosette clump, pink flowers, succulent | | Ceanothus species | Shrub, blue-white flowers, dark green foliage | | Encelia californica | Shrub, grey foliage, yellow daisy flower | | Agave parryi | Large cacti, dark spikes, grey foliage | | Quercus dumosa | Shrub, rounded form, small foliage | | Cercocarpus betuloides | Tree, curly grey seed pods | | Fouquieria diguetii | Upright cacti, thorny canes, red flowers |
return to top
Curator Notes
- Dudleya species are considered endangered in the wild.
- The majority of Californian plants handle hot dry summers.
- Research, do as much as possible on any plant you grow not just Californian flora.
return to top
History
Developed 1992. return to top
| Image 
Best Viewed |
July - November
| Location |
Californian Garden
Anderson Street near C gate
Visitor Map
| Grow | | | Gambelia speciosa Showy Island Snapdragon | ground cover, red flower, light green foliage | Ceanothus species California lilac | Shrub, blue-white flowers, dark green foliage | Agave parryi Mescal | Large cacti, dark spikes, grey foliage | Garrya elliptic Silk Tassel | Glossy green leaves, Shrub/Tree, gray Catkins | Encelia californica | Shrub, grey foliage, yellow daisy flower | Salvia apian White Sage | Grey foliage, white flowers, shrub. |
| | Plant Census |
Find out what plants grow at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
|
| |
