Aussie natives are on the agenda at the Geelong Botanic Gardens.
Botanic Gardens staff and horticulture students from The Gordon TAFE have partnered to cultivate a new hakea garden.
Last year the combined team planted 40 plants in the new garden near the Botanic Gardens car park, many of them rare or threatened and around half grown from seed by the TAFE students.
The no-fuss natives belong to the Proteacaea family and include more than 150 individual species.
They are well-known for both their hardiness and drought tolerance as well as their distinctive pin-cushion or bottlebrush flowers, attracting and providing a habitat for birds, bees and butterflies.
The project gives students the opportunity to gain experience working alongside the Botanic Gardens team propagating and caring for the plants and planning future additions.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the project was an asset to the Gardens.
“This partnership with The Gordon is a great addition to our Botanic Gardens and has given the community a vibrant new native plant display,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing the collection of plants grow and I encourage everyone to visit and enjoy the new garden.”
Councillor Elise Wilkinson, chair of the City’s environment and circular economy portfolio, highlighted the project’s conservation value.
“This project gives horticulture students real‑world experience while helping us protect important native species,” she said.
“It’s a great example of working together to support biodiversity in our region.”
The Geelong Botanic Gardens is open every day of the year. Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/gbg for more information.
