Herb Garden A unique collection of plants useful to people: for flavouring food, as medicines, for fragrance, dyeing fabric, fibre plants, spiritual uses, or pest repellants. A diverse collection ranging from well known leafy annuals such as Basil and Coriander, to majestic mature trees such as the Camphor Laurels Cinnamomum camphora and Cassia Bark Tree Cinnamomum burmannii. The large trees are remnants from the original 1890's Medicinal Garden. Plants displayed are from all over the world including Australia, and several are rare or have been collected from the wild. The Herb Garden has many plants with highly fragrant flowers or leaves, which make it a sweetly scented place to visit at any time of the year. The collection and its produce are used by the RBGM Education programs. Key Plants
Curator Notes
History
Key Plants
| Artemisia dracunculus subsp. dracunculus
| Delicately aniseed flavored herb, used with eggs, fish and chicken dishes. | | Crithmum maritimum
| Unusual and very ornamental edible plant from coastal north west Europe. | | Cinnamomum camphora
| Evergreen tree valued for its timber, and the source of camphor oil. | | Lavandula spp. | A number of different species and varieties. | | Laurus nobilis | Leaves are used for flavoring food, and medicinally. | | Melaleuca leucadendra | One of the many Melaleucas from which Tea Tree oil can be extracted. | | Pelargonium spp. | Several species and forms. Scents vary from rose, lemon, mint, used for flavoring and perfume. | | Persicaria odorata | Pungent herb used in many south east Asian dishes. | | Salvia spp. | Many species used in cooking and as medecines. | | Thymus spp. | Several species of these culinary and medicinal plants represented, including lemon, caraway, and some unusual species. |
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Curator Notes - The Herb Garden is maintained using organic principles, no pesticides or herbicides.
- Annual leafy herbs such as Basil and Coriander respond well to fortnightly liquid feeding.
- Many perennial herbs are best pruned after flowering eg: Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Mint
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History
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1890's : a medicinal garden was originally established on this site by William Guilfoyle, Gardens Director. -
1982: Herb Society of Victoria approached the RBGM about re-establishing an Herb garden on the original Medicinal garden site. -
1985: planting and landscaping begins with donations from the Herb Society of Victoria, The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, and Robertson Stock Bricks. -
1986: Herb Garden opened by The Hon. Joan Kirner MLC, minister for conservation, forests and Lands. 1987: installation of Bronze armillary sphere sundial, designed by Studio Masse and funded by the Herb Society of Victoria.
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| Image 
Best Viewed |
All year interest, peak September to April
| Location |
Herb Garden, Guilfoyle Medicinal Bed, Nursery Camphor Laurel Bed, Trees on Oak Lawn Area immediately behind Herb Garden. Herb Garden
Birdwood Avenue near E gate
Visitor Map
| Grow | | | Lavender | A number of different species and varieties.
| Rosemary | | Oregano | | Thyme | Several species of these culinary and medicinal plants represented, including lemon, caraway, and some unusual species.
| Bay | Leaves are used for flavoring food, and medicinally. |
| | Plant Census |
Find out what plants grow at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
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