Australian Drylands
Australian Drylands is the Royal Botanic Gardens’ newest Living Collection, celebrating the remarkable plant diversity from arid regions across all Australian states.
This vibrant garden features three distinct zones: palms and cycads, dry rainforest species, and plants uniquely adapted to fire.
At its heart, the collection is a living experiment—trialling new species and horticultural techniques to explore how these plants can thrive in Melbourne’s warmer, drier future. It is a space for inspiration, encouraging gardeners to make climate-smart choices and helping shape resilient landscapes for generations to come.
Key Plants
Hypocalymma robustum
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Spyridium scortechinii
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Guichenotia macrantha
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Olearia iodochroa
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Grevillea petrophiloides
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Chorizema cordatum
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<em>Hypocalymma robustum </em>
With the common name Swan River Myrtle, you may deduce it is native to the southwest of Western Australia. It brings a spark of colour from late winter through to spring, and its flowers truly shine when viewed up close.
Notes from the Curator
The Australian Drylands celebrates the tough, beautiful plants that thrive in our country’s arid zones. Many of the species here were collected from the wild, making this a valuable space for conservation and experimentation.
We are trialling a wide range of lifeforms – from grasses and herbs to shrubs, vines, and epiphytes – to explore how they grow and inspire new ideas in gardening. We hope it sparks curiosity, encourages home gardeners to try something new, and helps shift the culture of horticulture toward more sustainable, climate-resilient choices.