Aussie garden is young and free

The hangovers have probably just about abated following the celebrations to mark the Australian Garden’s gold medal win at the Chelsea Flower Show (it was a few months ago, after all).

But any excuse to mention it again and we will. For anyone who missed it, there’s a blog looking at the creation of the garden (and its triumph) here.

Nationalistic, horticultural breast-beating aside, it’s worth noting that entry to the original Australian Garden, at Victoria’s Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, is now free.

Previously entry was $9.80 for adults, a saving that visitors can spend on buying their own native trees, inspired by the 100,000 plants in the nine-hectare display (pictured is Xerochrysum bracteatum ‘Dargan Hill Monarch’).  One of the key goals of the Australian Garden is to encourage the use of Australian plants in sustainable home gardens.

The second and final stage of the Australian Garden is due to open mid-2012, bringing the garden up to 18 hectares, illustrating the journey of water and the diversity of Aussie flora. There’s more info on that here.

In the meantime, did we mention how the garden got on at Chelsea?

PHOTO: JANUSZ MOLINSKI