Botanic gardens are institutions holding documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, display and education.

A botanic garden is usually permanent; has an underlying scientific basis for, proper documentation of, and monitors its collections; has adequate labelling of its plants; is open to the public; and undertakes scientific or technical research on plants in its collections.

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne covers 363 hectares of untouched heathlands, wetlands, woodlands, Australian flora, landscapes, art and architecture.

The Botanical Gardens in Hobart hold historic plant collections, significant trees and convict built walls all dating from the 19th century, and the world’s only Subantarctic Plant House.

The Darwin Botanic Gardens has approximately 450 species of palms and all eight species of the Adansonia or Baobab tree.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah is set in the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains, on the summit of a basalt-capped peak, 1,000m above sea level. Its southern beeches from South America provide a spectacular autumnal colour display.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra maintains some 6,200 species, representing around a third of Australia’s native plants from all parts of the country.

Simon Griffiths is a leading photographer of gardens, food and interiors. His photography was also used for the first Botanic Gardens stamp issue in 2007.

Source: Australian Post

published May 12th, 2013