Araucariaceae
To display a broad representation of the family Araucariaceae and to conserve rare and threatened Araucariaceae.
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Melbourne’s temperate climate and northerly aspect have allowed an immense range of plants to be brought together at Melbourne Gardens. Plants are displayed in major groupings or Collections. There are 31 plant collections on display, ranging from large trees to colourful perennials.
Botanic gardens hold collections of plants for scientific, educative, conservation and aesthetic purposes. They play a role in helping scientists and the public understand the history, present day uses and what the future may hold for plants in natural environments. Internationally, botanic gardens are living museums that hold individual specimens or collections of plants for scientific, educative, conservation and aesthetic purposes.
Our Living Plant Collections Plan provides the direction for the future development of our plant collections.
To display a broad representation of the family Araucariaceae and to conserve rare and threatened Araucariaceae.
A world of succulents awaits you at the new and improved Arid Garden.
The Australian Forest Walk focuses on displaying a range of Australian forest species from impressive forest giants to middle- and...
This is a Taxonomic and Evolutionary collection.
Melbourne Gardens' world-acclaimed Camellia Collection is at its breathtaking best in winter. These are evergreen plants, blooming...
Living fossils, ancient survivors from the age of dinosaurs, at home in a modern landscape.
Sharing a similar climate with Victoria, the California collection demonstrates the diverse flora of California and the potential for...
Corymbia and Eucalypts are closely related evergreen trees, many of which are native to Australia. Corymbia were previously categorized as...
The Fern Gully demonstrates a range of fern species typical of cool forests of Australasia that will grow well in Melbourne's climate.
A garden within a garden, the Garden House display garden is an enclosed area surrounding historic Gardens House.
An ornamental collection of silver, grey and blue leaved plants thriving in a site exposed to extremes of heat and wind.
Guilfoyle’s Volcano was built in 1876 and was used to store water for Melbourne Gardens. After lying idle for 60 years, it is now...
A unique collection of plants useful to people: for flavoring food, as medicines, for fragrance, dyeing fabric, fibre plants, spiritual...
This area includes the following locations: Nymphaea Lily, Central and Ornamental Lakes, Fern Gully Creek, reservoir in Guilfoyle’s...
An ecological collection to display and conserve Indigenous plants from five plant communities found locally in the lower Yarra region.
An historic collection of New Zealand native plants presented in a picturesque landscape.
Melbourne Gardens features a variety of oaks from around the world. With over 40 species on display and specimens over 130 years old, this...
There are many different species of Palm in the Arecaceae family. All are easily recognised as palms by their unique foliage. Foliage is...
The Perennial Border is an ornamental collection, which uses a variety of plant material for a display of colour and texture.
The Rare and Threatened Species Collection is a collection of rare and threatened Victorian native plants, displayed in regional groupings....
The Southern Africa Collection contains a sample of a variety of plants. Southern Africa has a climate not dissimilar to Victoria’s,...
Meander along the winding path to see the many wild collected some weird some wonderful rare and common plants from South China.
Lovers of the world's most popular flower, the rose, are delighted by Melbourne Gardens collection of 'species' and old fashioned roses. A...
This Collection is not available for public viewing. Plants in family Orchidaceae include some of the most beautiful and amazing plants on...
The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden aims to demonstrate the connections between plants and our daily lives.
The Tropical Glasshouse showcases plants from tropical regions around the globe, and displays some of the most important and spectacular...
This is an ornamental collection of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from the Northern Hemisphere, grown for their spring flowers and overall...
An attractive display of Australian and exotic plants with low water requirements for use in the home garden.
Victoria's flora and fungi are under increasing threat from climate change, environmental weeds, agriculture, forest clearance and urbanisation. Climate change will especially impact on plants restricted to the coldest environments on mountain summits, which are likely to lose their only suitable habitat. At Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, studies of taxonomy, distribution, population genetics, propagation, translocation and seed banking all contribute to the conservation of Victoria’s and Australia's plants and fungi.
We collect millions of high-quality seeds from native plant species within Victoria for long-term storage, research and restoration programs.
Our scientists work to maintain biological diversity, including genetic variation, essential for functional ecosystems and the long-term viability of species.
In Victoria, there are nearly 700 native species of threatened plants (among the approximately 3,200 species recorded from the state) along with many others that are rare. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria plays a leading role in programs to conserve these endangered species in order to stabilise or increase populations in their natural habitat. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is particularly involved in the conservation of native terrestrial orchids. Victoria is a 'hotspot' for orchid diversity, with 23 per cent of Australia's orchid species occurring in just 3 per cent of the land area. Most of the native orchid species found in Victoria are terrestrial, and at least a third occur nowhere else.
Botanic gardens throughout the world play a significant role in helping scientists and the public understand the evolution and history of plants, their present day uses as well as what the future may hold for plants in natural environments. Across our two locations at Melbourne and Cranbourne, our experienced horticulture teams manage 45 plant collections as well as a significant area of precious bushland at Cranbourne Gardens. All of our collections feature plant labels which show each plant's scientific name comprised of a genus and species.
Our horticultural and environmental research is focused on responding to future challenges such as water availability and changing climatic conditions and looking at how these may impact on plant and landscape conservation within the gardens.
At both Cranbourne and Melbourne our land management teams focus on irrigation management, finding alternate water sources, water quality and biodiversity of the lakes system; reducing weeds, protecting plants against pests and diseases and managing soils.
How we garden in botanic gardens, how you garden at home and how we all garden as a community has big impacts on the biodiversity and sustainability of urban Australia. The Australian Garden at Cranbourne is designed to showcase how native plants can make a spectacular and waterwise home garden. There is an Australian plant suitable for virtually any situation in your garden, from tall trees to ground covers, aquatic plants to those growing in low light or in full sun. Australian plants attract native birds and butterflies, and brighten up your garden with wonderful seasonal colour. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to find inspiration and great tips for using Australian native plants at home.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has a special place in the hearts and minds of all Victorians. The Gardens has played an important role in the cultural development of Melbourne and can continue to flourish with the help of passionate individuals. There are many ways to get involved with the Gardens and we value any level of support, whether you are a friend or a donor, a member of our Director’s Circle or one of our volunteers. There are also ways to honour those you love by dedicating a tree or a bench within the Garden of your choice.
The Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria at Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens play an active role in raising funds for the gardens through plant sales and programs.
It’s easy to help the Gardens. Any donation over $2 is tax deductible and every dollar helps contributes to the work of the Gardens.
Many people share the Gardens with those they love and some visitors choose to mark a significant occasion by dedicating a tree or a bench to someone special. In the Gardens you’ll notice each bench has a dedication plaque featuring a favourite quote or the recognition of an anniversary, achievement or occasion.