Adelaide Botanic Gardens celebrate 150 years - Keith Conlon relates the story. In the Adelaide City region of South Australia
Of all the attractions on North Terrace the Adelaide Botanic Gardens is the most popular - attracting more than one million visitors a year. The gardens are so popular it’s where Postcards began. I stood outside the Palm House and welcomed viewers to the first show ten years ago. So I returned to the same spot recently to introduce the Garden’s 150th Birthday celebrations.
For a century and a half, the gardens have been the perfect place for a relaxing stroll, a picnic, a jog or a lunchtime interlude. On our visit we even saw a bride and groom posing for their wedding photos.
But the beauty of this botanically fascinating retreat has been a long time in the making. After three different suggested locations came and went, in 1855, after a public appeal to the Governor 41 acres were pegged out on the current site off North Terrace.
The newly formed Board appointed ex-Londoner, George Francis to the grand position of Superintendent and Director. In a way, he had the toughest job - transforming a rough paddock into a beautiful corner of colonial Adelaide.
There are still signs of his work today - the ancient River Redgums along First Creek survived at his insistence, and an obelisk near the main gates marks his achievements. He died in 1865 after a decade in office
Francis’s successor was Dr Richard Schomburgk. He was botanically trained and ‘think big’ might have been his motto. We have him to thank for the tall avenue of pines up the hill from another of his legacies - the Museum of Economic Botany. It’s an imposing classic Greek style building that’s changed little over the years. Inside, the ornate stencilling on the ceiling is stunning and the original wooden display cases contain some impressive collections - some of which were complied by Schomburgk himself.
He also imported the much-loved Palm House from his native Germany in 1875. It’s since been refurbished and now houses a stunning display of Madagascan plants.
Way back in 1866 he planted rows of young trees that have grown into the magnificent Morton Bay Figtree walk.
Some of the garden’s features are much more recent - the Bi-Centennial Conservatory came in 1988 and since then, the tarmac and tin of the old Hackney Tram and Bus depot has been replaced by 5,000 plants in the National Rose Garden.
So, after 150 years - what’s next? The Garden’s current Director, Stephen Forbes says there are big plans.
“Gardens always change,” he told us. “ I guess that’s a key message for 150 years - these gardens have changed.”
And the changes will continue. In winter, work begins on what will be known as the Schomburgk Pavilion and Mediterranean Garden at the back of the Museum.
Stephen hopes it will become the “beating heart” of the gardens. A place where guides will reveal its secrets, where you can have a cuppa or buy a book - all in an ultra-modern airy design.
And running off the new pavilion will be a new Mediterranean Garden to replace the current Italianate model. “The wisteria arbour will stay,” Stephen pointed out. “They’ll provide the boundary to the new garden.”
It will become a growing lesson on sustainable low water use gardening more suited to our climate.
Perhaps the most spectacular makeover will take place at the higgledy-piggledy collection of glasshouses over and around the lily pond that remains almost unchanged since Schomburgk’s time.
It houses a spectacular flower from deep in the Amazon jungle - the Victoria Amazonica or Giant Amazon Water Lily. The size of a cabbage, the flower opens twice - first creamy white then pink. Richard Schomburgk and his brother discovered it and brought it back from an expedition to Guyana.
When it flowered in this very pond in 1868 it caused such a sensation that more than half the population of Adelaide came to see it. As a 150th milestone, it’s to be enclosed by a new ultra-light transparent pavilion.
“We’re going to build an elegant, jewel-like building,” said Stephen. “It will complement our historic cast iron glass house and our modern aluminium glazed Bi-Centennial Conservatory. It will be a perfect jewel in this original setting.”
It is all part of a beautiful birthday present for the gardens and next weekend we’re all invited to help launch the 150th anniversary celebrations.
Saturday afternoon will see plenty of rock and roll on the lawns outside the Museum and on Saturday night, the world renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre will stage their first ever local performance of “Bush”. On Sunday afternoon I’m looking forward to hosting Dennis Sheridon and his 10-piece big band.
It should be a great weekend and it’s all free.
Adelaide Botanic Gardens - celebrating 150 years
Rock & Roll in the Gardens
Saturday 12 March, 1pm - 4pm
‘Bush’ by Bangarra Dance Theatre
Saturday 7pm - 9.30pmSwing in the Gardens
Sunday 13 March, 1pm - 4pmDetails: (08) telephone 8222 9311
www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au
