The Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra has opened one of the largest gardens in the country dedicated to a national symbol of biodiversity — the native banksia wildflower.
The new garden helps to mark the National Botanic Gardens’ 50th anniversary.
Using cutting edge grafting technology, staff established a 2,500-square-metre garden that required the construction of thermal walls to shield plants from Canberra’s chill and to absorb and radiate heat from the winter sun.
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said banksia was one Australia’s most iconic plant species.
“The banksia is closely linked with Australia’s biodiversity, culture and history,” Ms Ley said.
“Helping people understand and celebrate the importance of plants like the banksia in supporting native wildlife is an important part of protecting our environment, and I congratulate garden staff.”
She said banksias were ideally adapted to the Australian landscape, their fruits opening after fire. Native birds enjoyed their nectar, and many parts of the plant had been eaten and used by Indigenous people for tens of thousands of years.
“The new garden, which includes many threatened, unique and rarely cultivated species, underlines the important role the Australian National Botanic Gardens plays in researching, protecting and propagating native plant species,” Ms Ley said.
She said the Gardens showcased more than 6,300 species, representing one-third of Australia’s known native plants with more than 78,000 plants growing on site.
“It is the only place in the world where you can see this level of diversity of Australian native plants in one location and each year around 500,000 visitors come to learn, relax and recharge,” Ms Ley added.
“The fact that it was dairy farm prior to its establishment half a century ago is a reminder of the how the passion and dedication of individuals can regenerate our native environment,” she said.
