Winter 2012 botanic news Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Inc. Supporting the Gardens for 30 years.

Commemorating Guilfoyle Page 8 from the president

Consider Donating to via the Helen McLellan Research Grant. the Friends’ Trust Fund The Trust Fund is dedicated As June 30 approaches, the Friends to ‘conserving, protecting and invite you to make a tax deductible fostering the development of donation to the Friends’ Trust Fund. the RBG Melbourne and the Income from the Trust Fund Herbarium of Victoria’. Since our is used to support projects establishment in 1986, the Fund in the RBG Melbourne and distributed more than $1 million the National Herbarium of in grants to the RBG. Victoria. In recent years, these The Friends are a volunteer, projects have included Working not-for-profit organisation. Their Wetlands, Guilfoyle’s Volcano, members are passionate about the Herbarium Discovery the Gardens and are proud Walk and the irrigation of of the RBG’s achievements the Gardens’ nursery. In across a range of programs and Thank you to all members who some of the wonderful plants addition, the Friends foster projects. have renewed your membership for sale, all propagated by our professional development If you would care to donate this quarter. By being a member hard-working and committed for RBG staff through the please complete the form of the Friends you help us to Growing Friends’ group. Friends’ Scholarship Scheme enclosed with this edition of continue to support the RBG The Friends congratulate artist and support research projects Botanic News. Melbourne, and in this our member Pauline Dewar, who undertaken by RBG scientists thirtieth year it is especially was one of the winners of the important to continue to prestigious Margaret Flockton maintain our enthusiasm and Award for Excellence in Botanical support for the Gardens. It Illustration 2012. Pauline’s work, would be fantastic if every Asphodelus fistulosus was highly member could give just one commended. The Margaret gift membership or encourage Flockton Award is sponsored by one new person to join. Our the Friends of the Royal Botanic Winner of quarterly membership would really grow. Gardens, Sydney. Friends’Friends’ prize It was great to see so many We continue to reach out to Friends at our recent birthday the wider community, sending Membership Prize party held at Gardens House. our Botanic News magazine to a Congratulations to It is such a beautiful venue for large number of local libraries Individual Member a party and the surrounding as well as to all members. I Mrs Barbara Flint of gardens were in their full hope you are receiving and Wantirna, who has won autumnal glory. There were enjoying your monthly eNews the Friends’ Membership lovely reminiscences of the early as well. We advertise our events Prize offered for the first days and I was overwhelmed by and art classes in the local media, quarter of 2012. Barbara, the support and enthusiasm of and we have now set up a new a member for nine years, all who attended. Facebook page, which you can go has won a year’s free I congratulate our Growing to by following the link from our membership. Friends’ group who raised website. Have a look at it, ‘Like’ At the end of each over $29,000 at the plant sale the page and keep up with the quarter in 2012, all held in April. Once again there Friends in this exciting new format. who have paid their were hundreds of spectacular I am looking forward to seeing membership fee by the plants for the home gardener many of you in the Gardens due date are eligible to on offer and a great raffle as and at our Winter events in the Asphodelus fistulosus - Onion Weed, pen win this prize. and ink illustration by Pauline Dewar., well. I hope you managed to months to come. Enjoy! highly commended at the Margaret The next draw will be get along to it and purchase Cathy Trinca Flockton Awards. held at the end of June.

2 Botanic News | Winter 2012 from the gardens

The Australian Garden the Australian Garden. Instead, holds some 20,000 specimens Contents stock is being passed through designated as ‘type specimens’ The Weird and Wonderful our quarantine site for spraying (these are the ultimate reference Garden lies at the heart of the Members 4 and checking for signs of Myrtle points when botanists decide Australian Garden, and it is Rust before being accepted for if a plant is a new or a known Events 5 the last of the major landscape planting. The kikuyu turf in the species). The digital imaging of elements being constructed. Ian Potter Community Events type specimens at the National Commemorating Guilfoyle 8 The dramatic upended slabs Space has grown vigorously, and Herbarium is part of the pilot of Pyrenees slate provide Illustrators 10 the turf trial of the native grass project for the Australian and the setting for some unusual Hemarthria is also doing well. New Zealand component of an Scholarship Report 12 Australian plants, including a So, with construction due to finish international digitising project, 35-year-old Queensland Bottle in May and much of the planting the Global Plant Initiative, Growing Friends 13 Tree, Brachychiton rupestris, in hand, we are looking forward funded by the Andrew Mellon transplanted from Kialla in Living Collections 14 to opening Stage 2 in spring! Foundation in the United States. central Victoria. Over past Special high-resolution scanners Friends’ Calendar 16 months the work focus has Plant Science Activities and cameras are needed to been on installing the 120+ Bush Blitz produce the images, which vaulted stones (some weighing can be accessed and studied ‘Bush Blitz’ is a national Front cover image: The Temple of the 10 tonnes), laying the sweeping by botanists anywhere in the Winds commissioned by Guilfolye in conservation program funded steps and slate paving and world via the JSTOR Plant memory of Governor Charles La Trobe by the Federal Government, who chose the site which now forms the creating a small spring, which Science website (http://plants. BHP Billiton and Earthwatch Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. starts beside one of the giant jstor.org/search?t=946655). Since Photo: Lynsey Poore. to discover new plant and slabs, flows between the commencing the pilot project animal species and survey vaulted stones, and cascades in July 2011, RBG staff have national biodiversity reserves, across a rocky waterfall into delivered 3,825 images of type particularly new ones. Staff the new lake in Stage 2. specimens to JSTOR. The full- from the National Herbarium The moist, mild summer scale project will scan all type of Victoria recently took part helped considerably with plant specimens held in the eight major in a Bush Blitz survey of Ned’s growth in areas already handed State and Territory herbaria, Corner, a large and important over to our care, such as the as well as two of the major Trust for Nature reserve west Cultivar Garden, Arbour Garden New Zealand herbaria, and the of Mildura. A retired grazing and Howson Hill. RBG staff have approximately 40,000 types will property, Ned’s Corner has been planting out more gardens be made available online. during autumn, although some an extensive frontage to the work was delayed by the Myrtle Murray River and a diverse Naming Fungi Below: Ned’s Corner landscape where array of arid-zone habitats. The National Herbarium the Bush Blitz took place. Rust outbreak, which stopped Photo: Neville Walsh deliveries of stock directly to plant survey identified over 40 mycologists have been species that are classified as compiling and checking the rare or threatened, produced correct names of Australian several new plant records for fungi for inclusion in the Victoria, and discovered a national names lists for the new species of truffle (fungus). Atlas of Living Australia. Plants from far northwestern Why, you might ask? Fungi Victoria are not well are essential for the proper represented in the Herbarium, functioning of all ecosystems, so staff were able to acquire and others are important plant, many new specimens for the animal and human pathogens, State Botanical Collection. so it is vital to be able to Digital Imaging of Type identify and name the species Specimens correctly. As we gain better The State Botanical Collection knowledge of fungi, names

Winter 2012 | Botanic News 3 from the members gardens

and therefore identifications early-career plant systematists change. Currently our work with further training and is focusing on the names of a job, the Royal Botanic fungi of medical and veterinary Gardens Foundation importance, which includes Victoria and the School human pathogens such as of Botany Foundation are Candida and Cryptococcus, collaborating to raise funds and also miscellaneous to endow a Joint Fellowship ‘opportunistic’ fungi from in Plant Systematics. The genera such as Aspergillus and multi-year fellowship will Fusarium. Recently we reached enable the recipient to work the overall project target of at both the RBG and the 5,212 names harvested and Botany School on projects of checked across all the major botanical and environmental Association of Friends Eucalypts, European Explorers, groups of Australian fungi. significance. I believe this is Birds of the Region, Goyder’s In addition, around another a most important initiative, of Botanic Gardens Line, and Water Supply in thousand species have been and what’s more, Mueller Conference 18 – 19 August 2012 South Australia. identified as occurring in would be delighted by it! We Mangroves, Myalls and More Pre- and post-conference Australia, perhaps not a are making good fundraising Don’t miss this wonderful tours have been arranged to surprise, given that the last progress, but need more opportunity to visit the superb enable conference participants to compilation of Australian fungi support. If you would like Australian Arid Lands Botanic see, enjoy and learn more about names was prepared in 1940! to make a tax-deductible Garden, Port Augusta, SA and this region of South Australia. Joint Research Fellowship donation to the fellowship’s attend what promises to be an For further information endowment, please contact Each of the three projects interesting and exciting conference and registration forms see: me (03 9252 2357) or the described above rely on scien- hosted by the Friends of the AALBG. www.friendsbotanicgardens.org RBG’s Development Manager, tists having precise knowledge of Speakers, respected professionals or www.australian-aridlands- Nic Capp (03 9252 2312) to the identity and relationships of botanic-garden.org discuss your interest. and practitioners in their areas of the organisms they’re studying: expertise, will focus on the theme Association conferences bring this scientific discipline is called Retiring in November of Myalls (the Western Myall is the together members of Friends’ ‘taxonomy and systematics’. emblem of the AALBG and occurs groups from all over Australia Ferdinand Mueller is the I recently announced that in the Garden); Mangroves (Grey and are noted for their warm father of plant taxonomy and I will be retiring from my Mangroves grow along the shore and friendly atmosphere. Come systematics at the RBG, and we position in November of Spencer Gulf, the Garden’s to the Conference and join in have been carrying out these this year. I have been eastern boundary); and More, the fun with friends. types of studies continuously most fortunate to have which will include discussion on Janet Thomson, President since Mueller’s arrival in 1853. led the RBG during an Taryn Ellis, Digitising and Database Officer (GPI Project) delivering an image to But now the supply of young exciting period of growth, the database which can be accessed by the public at http://plants.jstor.org taxonomists and systematists is revitalisation, and new drying up – not just for plants, opportunities. The successes but for all organisms. There during my 20 years at the are fewer and fewer university Gardens would not have courses to train them, even been possible without the though Australia’s need for passion and expertise of the their skills continues unabated. staff, the generous support The University of Melbourne of many donors – including is one of the few universities of course the Friends – and Photo: Meg Miller in Australia still teaching plant the funding of governments. systematics, and we have been Thank you: together we closely collaborating with the have achieved so much! School of Botany there for more Philip Moors, than 20 years. In order to provide Director and Chief Executive.

4 Botanic News | Winter 2012 events

Botanical Gardens of In this pictorial tour of the at our Melbourne Gardens, Botanical Gardens of Australia then onto Adelaide, Sydney, Australia - Attila Kapitany will show us Brisbane (Mt. Coot-tha) and featuring highlights and interesting why botanic gardens are the Darwin. Included will be some surprises second most visited places excellent regional botanic ILLUSTRATED TALK BY in the country after cinemas. gardens, Cairns, Rockhampton, ATTILA KAPITANY Australia’s eight capital cities Wollongong, Mt. Annan and Tuesday 19 June at 10 for 10.30 am and 150 regional botanic Newcastle. Mueller Hall, National Herbarium gardens attract 13 million Attila Kapitany has a strong COST: $15 $25 Non-members visitors a year. Every state in interest in rare and unusual RSVP by Thursday 14 June on Australia has botanic gardens tropical plants, aside from his enclosed booking form or download often with very different plants professional work with cacti one from the Events page on our in very different settings. This and succulents. His books will website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org tour, with stunning pictures, be on sale. Morning Tea will be served beforehand. will begin with a brief look

Winter Feast of Film In the lovely surrounds of ‘Gardens of North California’s Melbourne Grammar, we are Wine Country’ an intimate tour The queen’s garden and once again able to enjoy two of nine outstanding winery Gardens of North 50 minute films featuring gardens – all quite different California’s Wine Country gardens of note. in character. Garden design, Wednesday 4 July at 9:30am The Queen’s Garden plantings and relationships The Lodge, Melbourne Grammar at Buckingham Palace is a to the wineries will also be School tranquil, natural oasis in the discussed. 355 St Kilda Road, Melbourne heart of London. Permission Free underground parking Note: free underground parking was obtained to spend a year can be accessed from St Kilda adjacent to The Lodge. filming life behind the palace Road beside the Lodge. COST: $15 $25 Non-members walls to create a unique visual RSVP by Thursday 28 June on record of the gardens. First film commences at 9:30 sharp enclosed booking form or download Morning tea will be served one from the Events page on our at the conclusion of the first website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org film and will be followed by

Winter Insiders’ Walk After morning tea and and Dr Milne will inspire you introductions at Gate Lodge with the stories and discoveries INSIDE THE NATIONAL we will walk to the Herbarium associated with this unique HERBARIUM OF VICTORIA to observe the intricate collection. Tuesday 10 July at 10 for 10.30am and detailed mounting of NOTE that this is a Meet at Gate Lodge specimens, work carried out by strictly limited-number entry. COST: $15 MEMBERS ONLY the dedicated volunteers. Please book early to visit this RSVP by Thursday 5 July on Dr Pina Milne will then important area of the Royal enclosed booking form or download one from the Events page on our discuss the work of the Botanic Gardens Melbourne. website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org scientists within and the If, having made a booking, importance of the Herbarium unavoidable circumstances arise specimen collection not only and you are unable to attend, to their work, but also to please inform the Friends’ office: historians and botanical artists. 03 9650 6398. A selection of Herbarium specimens will be on display

Winter 2012 | Botanic News 5 events

Guilfoyle’s Garden This year is the hundredth style (to look like an English anniversary of William R. landscape). He mastered the ILLUSTRATED TALK BY Guilfoyle’s death and the Royal art of design, creating intimacy as LYNSEY POORE Botanic Gardens Melbourne well as space and the element of Friday 13 July at 10 for 10.30 am are celebrating his great surprise. The Gardens today are a Mueller Hall, National Herbarium achievements. Lynsey Poore, a testament to his vision. COST: $15 $25 Non-members voluntary guide with the RBG Guilfoyle believed that ‘all RSVP by Monday 9 July on Melbourne, will explore the nature is a garden’ and that the enclosed booking form or download landscape created by Guilfoyle landscaper’s task is to ‘create one from the Events page on our during his 36 years as Director scenery that might be mistaken website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org of the Garden (1873-1909). for that of nature’. This Morning tea will be served before The RBG Melbourne is illustrated talk will include both the talk. of special interest because past and present landscapes, Guilfoyle created a garden in the historical images and quotations gardenesque style (one full of from his writings. plants) but also in the picturesque

Hellebores: Winter One of the joys for gardeners recently to England and on still winter days is the slow Japan to meet other Hellebore Garden Heroes emergence of the flowers of growers and catch up with the ILLUSTRATED TALK by that hero of the winter garden, latest developments. peter leigh the Hellebore. In this beautifully illustrated Wednesday 18 July at 10 for 10.30 am These tough evergreen presentation, Peter will provide Mueller Hall, National Herbarium perennials are shade tolerant us with a better understanding COST: $15 $25 Non-members and winter flowering. The of Hellebores, including the RSVP by Friday 13 July on growing interest in Hellebores different species and hybrids, enclosed booking form or download is a recognition of how well as well as several exciting one from the Events page on our suited they are to the climate of new varieties. He will also website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org south-eastern Australia. cover their growing needs, Refreshments will be served before Peter Leigh of Post Office maintenance requirements, the talk. Farm Nursery is a Hellebore pests and diseases and how to expert. He has travelled get the best out of the plants in www.postofficefarmnursery.com.au overseas regularly , most the garden.

A Journey to the Himalayan Sandwiched between the The extraordinary range of Chinese-held territory of Tibet microclimates that occur results Kingdom of Bhutan and Nepal, Bhutan, perhaps in a flora and avifauna that is ILLUSTRATED TALK BY the forgotten kingdom of the fascinating and diverse. JOHN PATRICK Himalayas, is famed as the land Bhutan is culturally rich, Tuesday 7 August at 6 for 6.30 pm of ‘Gross National Happiness’. with each valley’s human Mueller Hall, National Herbarium More pertinent for botanists is population developing their COST: $15 $25 Non-members the fact that Bhutan straddles own cultural traditions. This RSVP by Wednesday 1 August on an extraordinary range of evening John will tell the climatic zones from sub-tropical story of a fascinating country enclosed booking form or download along its southern border with caught between medieval and one from the Events page on our India, where Hornbills occupy contemporary time and gently website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org the forests, to alpine in the north embarking upon its journey into Wine and savouries will be served where mountaineers don’t venture the twenty-first century. before the talk. to the peaks out of respect for the local gods who inhabit them!

6 Botanic News | Winter 2012 events

Gardening Workshops 1. Preparation and soil and do a pH test. Please planting bring a small sealed container preparation and planning of your topsoil. pruning and maintenance with michEle adler Understanding your soil If you get the below-ground Saturday 18 August and planting are two of the parts of the garden right, then at 10 am - 12.30 pm key elements to successful the rest will often look after itself. Enjoy success. or 1.30 - 3.30 pm gardening. But soil is more than Morning tea will be served Domain House, Dallas Brooks Drive ‘just dirt’ and knowing where to plant is critical to success. at this session. COST: $60 for one session There are plenty of myths. $110 for two sessions with lunch. Learn what to look for when RSVP by Friday 10 August on enclosed booking form or download buying plants and how to deal one from the Events page on our with damaged or root-bound website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org container plants. Learn how to improve your

This session begins at 1.30 pm and 2. pruning and Michèle Adler has been a finishes at 3.30 pm. maintenance teacher of horticulture for nearly 30 years. She works at Please bring your own secateurs. After you have planted, then the University of Melbourne, comes the time for ongoing Burnley campus, and shares her observation and care. wealth of knowledge on radio When to prune? How much and television. to prune? Which tools for the Michèle’s passion for job? How much to water? seeing plants in their natural When to fertilise? What sort of environment has led her to many mulch? What to do next? wild places in the world, both for Learn how plants ‘talk to work and sheer pleasure. She has you’ and tell you what they designed gardens in Australia, need. England and the Galapagos Lunch will be provided for Islands and now leads tours with people attending both sessions. an environmental focus.

Spring Fit Friends Ramble Today Kyneton is a thriving We will travel by train to town with art galleries, craft, Kyneton station, a trip taking Train Trip to Kyneton books, clothes and superb food. about an hour. Once there, Thursday 6 September Yet in the Gold Rush era it was we will be guided through the We will meet punctually at 9 am a major supply town for the Botanic Gardens. To view the at the platform for the Bendigo train at diggings so we can see many banks of the Campaspe we will Southern Cross Station. All ramblers old bluestone buildings. amble along the riverside to the are asked to organise their own rail The Botanic Gardens were tickets to and from Kyneton. town centre. Lunch will be at a established in 1858 and are popular restaurant in Kyneton. COST: $40 $50 Non-Members. The cost includes guided tour of the among the finest in Victoria’s Then we will visit a garden Botanic Gardens, visit to a private goldfields towns. There are open for Spring Garden Week. garden and a light lunch. magnificent specimen trees En route to the station for our RSVP by Tuesday 28 August on including the Chilean Wine afternoon train back to Southern enclosed booking form or download Palm. Spring is a glorious time Cross we will see historical a form from the Events page on our to visit Kyneton as it is well- buildings and charming shops. website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org known for its daffodil displays.

Winter 2012 | Botanic News 7 commemorating

‘When nature has work to be done she creates a genius to do it – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

This June we commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the death of William Robert Guilfoyle, the genius who created our paradise, Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens. Guilfoyle became Director of the Gardens in 1873 and immediately set about extensively remodelling them. Giving his considerable horticultural and landscaping skills free rein, he successfully transplanted hundreds of conifers, introduced wide curving paths so that people could promenade comfortably and ‘a succession of verdant lawns, broken by Far left: W R Guilfoyle. At left: Catalogue of Plants under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, alphabetically arranged, W RGuilfoyle, 1883. There is a huge entry for Begonias.

Guilfoyle, his wife and son relaxing at the Director’s Residence. Rock Garden, near Conservatory, Botanical Gardens Melbourne.

Pagoda and small bridge at north-west end of the lake in Guilfoyle’s time. The Nymphaea Lily Lake, completed in 1907. This was Guilfoyle’s last major landscape project.

8 Botanic News | Winter 2012 w r guilfoyle 1840 - 1912

graceful groups of diversified foliage and effectively arranged floral blooms’. His aim was that ‘at every step the visitor finds some new view … something fresh, lively and striking’. Guilfoyle retired from the Gardens in 1909 and died on 25 June 1912. Today the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne are renowned world-wide for the beauty of their nineteenth-century landscape. How fortunate succeeding generations have been that such a genius was appointed to bring this about. Archival material for this article was sourced and reproduced with permission from the library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and postcards from Jenny Happell’s collection. The Friends thank Voluntary Guide, Lynsey Poore, for the use of her photos and text from the Voluntary Guides’ Guilfoyle presentation. The Guides will present a series of guided walks from Tuesday 19 June to Saturday 4 August. Phone 9252 2429 for further information. Guilfoyle’s Memorial, a sculpture by Michael Meszaros, commemorates the vision of Guilfoyle’s design. Behind it is part of his legacy – the Oak Lawn.

Watercolour by William Guilfoyle to illustrate his design for the Mounds on Ficus macrophylla – The Moreton Bay Fig from Queensland, planted by the Eastern Lawn which was a series of grassed valleys crowned with beds of Guilfoyle. It adds drama to the scene with wide curved paths to unknown colourful foliage plants on the ridges. vistas. Photo: Janet Thomson

Contrasting foliage and water were important landscape features for Display of drought-tolerant succulent plants. This is an example of the use Guilfoyle. of foliage contrast so beloved by Guilfoyle.

Winter 2012 | Botanic News 9 illustrators

all classes and Mastering Masking Fluid The Art of Botanical workshops will be held in the whirling and the ¼ NEEF Comb Illustration 2012 room studio, WITH JOHN PASTORIZA- The Friends of the RBGM observatory gate. PIÑOL will be holding the eleventh For bookings and further information, 9, 11, 12, 13 July 2012 biennial exhibition The Art please contact the Friends’ office on (note no workshop on 10 July) 9650 6398. of Botanical Illustration from 10am to 4pm 10 - 25 November 2012 at Cost: $280 $329 Non-members Domain House. All botanical Classes Learn the intricacies of achieving artists who are members of Term 3 will start in the week fine detail with water-colour the Friends of the RBGM are beginning Saturday 14 July. masking fluid and the NEEF ¼ invited to submit work for Classes will be held on Tuesday Comb, two invaluable tools for selection for the exhibition. and Wednesday evenings and contemporary botanical artists. Applications will close on 31 in the daytime on Mondays, As a result, your paintings August and selection will take Wednesdays and Saturdays will be brought to a new level place from 10 - 14 September. (two sessions each day - 2.5hr), of realism and detail. Over Submitted works will be Thursdays (one 2.5hr session) four days, John will assist Rosa ‘Pierre de Ronsard’ painted by assessed by a professional panel and Fridays (one 3hr session). each student with painting the Helen Burrows. for accurate representation of 2.5hr classes: $290 (incl GST) chosen class subject, advising Beginners’ Workshops the form and botany of the Friends: $240 (incl GST) on composition, painting subject, adequate representation with Helen Burrows 3hr classes: $335 (incl GST) techniques and colour theory. of the characteristics of the 30 June, 1 July and 7, 8 July He will demonstrate how species, correct identification Friends: $285 (incl GST) (Saturdays & Sundays) masking fluid can be used to and naming according to We recommend that students 10am to 4pm create very fine detail and how current botanical practices as without prior experience in and botanical illustration complete to use the NEEF ¼ Comb. well as for being artistically with Mali Moir a Beginners’ Workshop before Students should have skills in pleasing, balanced and a 2, 3, 4 and 5 July entering Term classes. drawing and watercolour at an considered work of art. Cost: $275 $322 Non-members intermediate to advanced level. More information about We strongly recommend that the exhibition, including the students who are new to artist information package and botanical illustration complete application form, is available a Beginners’ Workshop prior to on the website: entering Term Classes. These www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org intensive 4-day courses are an under botanic art exhibitions introduction to botanical art and from the Friends’ office. via pencil and watercolour. Students will begin to develop skills in outline drawing, foreshortening, tonal work and rendering of surfaces, basic colour work and paint application. The cost of the course includes equipment to be used during the workshop – drawing materials, paint, watercolour paper and brushes – and morning and afternoon tea.

Pomegranate painted by John At Right: Iris germanica ‘Pass the Pastoriza-Piñol. Wine’ painted by Terry Napier.

10 Botanic News | Winter 2012 illustrators

Botanical Illustrators Botanical Illustrators large population centres and the pest and the environment. have many visitors, making Education of those involved Quarterly Meeting March meeting them particularly vulnerable to in the production and trade Tuesday 10 July at 10 for 10.30 am Peter Symes, Curator of accidental introduction of pests of biological material is in Domain House, Dallas Brooks Drive. Environmental Horticulture, and diseases. fundamental, as is the education Cost: $5.50. Pay on the day. RBG Melbourne, gave a Present trends in the global- of the public. Biosecurity Norma Bathie, President fascinating and richly illustrated isation of commerce (eg buying depends upon international of the Floral Art Society of talk entitled ‘Biosecurity – biological material on the internet) co-operation. In Victoria, Victoria will give a talk on Whose responsibility?’ and the increase in overseas the Department of Primary Floral Design, with practical Although this topic was tourism have increased the Industry (DPI) has the leading demonstration. decided upon before the current threat level. It seems likely that role in setting standards and All Botanical Illustrators Myrtle Rust threat, the talk climate change will reduce the promulgating guidelines. The who are Friends of RBG are was given in an atmosphere of resistance of indigenous vegetation practice of high standards welcome to attend. heightened awareness of the issues. to disease and infestation. of hygiene is important, as Biosecurity is the erection Peter gave a series of is vigilance. In particular, a of barriers to protect living examples of the introduction member of the public who assets from threats Biosecurity depends upon suspects the presence Whirlybirds such as diseases and of an invasive pest The Whirlybirds is a group of pests (including weeds, international co-operation. or disease should Botanical Illustrators who meet animals and insects) leave it in place, of weed species. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in that are invasive and deleterious document it (place, time, Myrtle Rust, endemic to South the Whirling Room Studio. to existing flora and fauna. Living conditions, etc) photograph it in America, does not threaten most In April, during Eucalypt assets that are highly valued situ, and then contact the DPI. native Myrtaceae species there, Week, we exhibited a selection include areas of high biodiversity, It is not acceptable to move but a closely-related Guava Rust of the Eucalypt paintings we native landscapes, economic assets possibly infected material in is very damaging to Eucalyptus had completed last year. The such as orchards, crops, pastures order to have it identified. plantations on that continent. work was displayed in the and woodlots, and parks and Peter finished his talk by This is an economic concern for Gallery Space at the Australian home gardens. answering many questions about South America. Garden Visitors’ Centre, Royal Botanical gardens, being the history of various breaches How can biosecurity be Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne. high in plant diversity, and of biosecurity, and the practical achieved? If you would like more having many rare and valuable implications for visitors to Biosecurity demands information regarding these species and collections, are the RBG. The conversation understanding of the complex groups contact Sandra Sanger particularly valued. Most continued over a cuppa. relations between the host, on 9598 9532. botanical gardens are close to Roslyn Glow

At left: Helleborus; Black Death virus disease. Centre: Phoenix Palm removal and treatment for Palm fusarium wilt, in situ to prevent spread of the disease as the material is moved. At right: Arbutus menziesii showing Phytophthera disease. Photos: Peter Symes.

Winter 2012 | Botanic News 11 scholarship report

Plant Tissue Culture endangered plants from importantly, propagation of rare scarce material. and threatened plant material. Experience However, there are also I would like to express my In 2010 I was very pleased to limitations: gratitude to the Friends of the receive the Friends of the Royal • skill and technical Royal Botanic Gardens for Botanic Gardens, Melbourne expertise required giving me this opportunity to Scholarship which allowed me • it is labour-intensive as develop professionally and to enrol in the Plant Tissue plants are initially very engage in something that has Culture course at NMIT. The small a real potential to benefit the course was conducted over • cost of setting up the RBGM in the future. twenty weeks with a full and laboratory and running Chris Jenek comprehensive program aimed costs (i.e. lighting, air- Nursery Technician at teaching the theoretical and conditioning, consumables) practical aspects of this activity. is relatively high Tissue culture concerns • any unforeseen weak- An autoclave is used to sterilize instruments and growing media. growing plant tissue or plant nesses or hidden pathogens parts in sterile culture using are rapidly multiplied and artificial medium under aseptic spread very fast. conditions. It is sometimes seen During the whole length as the ‘high-tech’ end of plant of the course participants propagation, but has been worked on individual projects around in its current form for with plants of their choice. approximately 100 years. The explants were tested There are a few good on different media and reasons for considering tissue evaluated on the basis of their culture, such as: response to different hormone • facilitating import and concentrations or treatments. export of large numbers of The financial aspects of plants in sterile flasks, which setting up a small lab that are easy to quarantine. This could be run from home were allows for easier and more particularly well covered and convenient exchange/trade most useful. I was surprised A laminar flow cabinet. This is a clean working area. The air blowing down of plant material between to learn how much can be at the bench space is filtered and should be sterile. institutions achieved with minimum • using small pieces of plants resources. Also, there were two to produce large numbers excursions to tissue culture of plants in a small space labs and visits to commercial • allowing for rapid clonal enterprises. multiplication of new In conclusion, I found the selections which are free of Plant Tissue Culture course bacteria and viruses very useful and am hoping that • plants in-vitro require I can work towards establishing minimal attention between the small tissue culture facility subcultures at the RBG Nursery to broaden • micropropagated plants the range of plants that can be are usually more vigorous propagated here. This, I think, and superior to those could be especially important produced conventionally in light of current issues we are • in some cases the procedure dealing with, such as biosecurity, A rack of magenta flasks with growing medium. They are colour coded to can be successfully used limitations on the exchange of correspond with different hormone combinations. Clean explants are initially to produce rare and plant material and, perhaps most placed in these flasks to promote shoot or root growth.

12 Botanic News | Winter 2012 growing friends

NurControl PLANTS WE GROW Nursery Open Days Drimys winterii in Winter This evergreen tree can grow to 15 metres in its native Apology habitat – the southern rain Due to the Myrtle Rust Control forests of Chile, Argentina Protocal and parts of Brazil. It is a the Growing Friends’ Nursery particularly beautiful plant with will be closed for Friday Sales to glossy foliage and a profusion Members of fragrant pale cream flowers until further notice.. from spring to early summer. It needs a moist well drained soil Please check the eNews, or contact the in a cool or shaded position and Friends’ office, for any updates to this information. is drought tender. The bark is also attractive and has medicinal The Autumn Sale was a great properties. The discovery of this A large group of young plants crowded in a flask ready for deflasking after success and the rain held off is an interesting story. thorough washing away of the growing medium under running water. until after the Sale finished When Sir Francis Drake on Sunday afternoon. The made his journey to South raffle also made a significant America, and from there contribution to the Sale and the around the world, the ship lucky winners were: sailing with Drake’s Golden 1. Fiskars Garden Tools Hinde to round the Horn was John Cullen the Elizabeth captained by John Donated by Fiskars. Winter. However, the two ships 2. Paul Bangay’s Guide to were separated in a storm and Plants John Mannu Captain Winter, believing that Donated by Growing Friends. the Golden Hinde had been 3. Pot containing a Collection lost, turned back and, probably of Succulents Janet Moritz because of sickness on the Donated by Growing Friends. Elizabeth, put a boat ashore to Young plants taken out of the flask ready to be planted quickly and stored in look for medicinal herbs. He a protective, high-humidity environment. eventually returned to England with a supply of drimys bark, which for many years before the efficacy of citrus fruit was known, was used to prevent and treat scurvy. In fact an extract of it was carried by Captain James Cook on his journey to the South Pacific. There are a couple of specimens of Drimys winterii in the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Growing Friends regularly have it for sale. Michael Hare, Convener

One of the results of all the science - Phalaeonopsis multiflora. Drimys winterii

All photos for this article by Chris Jenek. Photo: Michael Hare

Winter 2012 | Botanic News 13 living plant collection

Collection Planning and nineteenth-century picturesque and gardenesque landscape Management styles. The Master Plan is our Thanks to our Senior Horti- principal planning document culture Staff we have recently and provides the direction completed a review of our for the future landscape living plant collections at the development of the site. Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) Climate change presents a Melbourne. Such a review has major challenge for the existing taken six months of weekly and future collections on this site. meetings, healthy debate and The development of this living numerous revisions. Now landscape will be based on the it’s time to put the plans into plant palette’s suitability for our action and deliver the results projected local climatic and soil across all thirty-one collections! conditions, rather than seeking to adjust the local growing Before going too much The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden – an ever popular Display further, it’s worth highlighting collection managed by Philip Bowyer-Smyth conditions significantly to suit our definition, and briefly the the plant. This will also reduce role, of living plant collections: non-sustainable horticultural A living collection is a group and management practices to of plants grown for a defined maintain plant health. As a purpose. Such a collection can result, a greater emphasis will be be displayed at one site, or placed on displays of flora from distributed across the whole climates that are comparable to garden. It serves one or more Melbourne. of the general goals of research, conservation, education or Collections Review ornamental display. The initial catalyst for the It is an essential feature living plant collections review of botanic gardens that they was time-based; five years had contain accurately identified, elapsed since the last major documented and labelled review. The intention was not collections of plants for the Fern Gully – a Display collection curated by Misha Davine, recently brought to rank the importance of to life by running water through the stream and rills. purposes of conservation, one collection over another, reference, interpretation, but to prioritise and target research, education or pleasure. specific requirements within This is one feature of botanic each collection to enhance gardens which distinguishes consistency of development them from other public gardens and presentation across all and parks, and highlights their collections. The review also role as a valuable scientific and aimed to provide additional cultural resource. support to the collection Curators; and to ensure the Collections of RBG plans were used as working Melbourne documents by the Curators – implementation in the gardens The living plant collections is paramount and how I and of RBG Melbourne are many others will judge the incorporated within the frame- success and worth of our six work of a garden which has Lower Yarra River Habitat – an Ecological collection displaying indigenous months of planning work. been skilfully designed in the flora, curated by Sandra Hodge.

14 Botanic News | Winter 2012 melbourne gardens

As mentioned, there are of plant identifications; our now thirty-one living plant Signs Officer with more collections at RBG Melbourne. plant label requirements; These collections are divided our Nursery team with an into collection themes. A theme ever-increasing number of indicates the major display and propagation requests and our interpretation role of a particular Public Programs staff reviewing collection. Five primary themes more interpretive text for the have been identified. These collections. are: Geographical, Ecological, With this intensified focus Taxonomic and Evolutionary, on living plant collections we Research and Conservation and are confident that the direction Display. of consistent development and The intention was not to rank the

importance of one collection over California (foreground) – a Geographical collection. The Curator, Tim Wall has been awarded a FRBGM scholarship to travel to California to study the another but to prioritise and target cultivation and habitat of these magnificent plants. specific requirements …

Considerable effort has improvement of all collections been expended by many will reap rewards across the Melbourne Gardens staff whilst site and enable even greater undertaking the review; an enjoyment and appreciation of increased focus and energy is these wonderful gardens and evident from all Horticultural plant groups. staff working with their Chris Cole, Director, collections, resulting in our RBG Melbourne Senior Horticultural Botanist being frequently challenged with an increasing number

Guilfoyle’s Volcano – a new Display collection curated by Malcolm Jackson. Photos: Chris Cole

Perennial Border – a vibrant Display collection curated by Donald Henderson Palms – a Taxonomic collection across the entire site, managed by Millie Wee.

Winter 2012 | Botanic News 15 calendar botanic news

June BOTANIC NEWS is produced quarterly for Friends

19 Talk - Botanical Gardens: Attila Kapitany of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Inc. 30 Beginner’s Illustration Workshop which was formed to stimulate further interest July in the Gardens and the National Herbarium and

1 Beginner’s Illustration Workshop continues to support and assist them whenever possible. 4 Film morning at Melbourne Grammar School Patron Conveners FRIENDS’ OFFICE 10 Insiders’ Walk - Herbarium with Pina Milne The Honourable Alex Events Virginia Henderson 13 Talk - Guilfoyles Garden: Lynsey Poore Chernov AC, QC, Judy Trenberth Marguerite Hancock 18 Talk - Hellebores: Peter Leigh Governor of Victoria Karlene Taylor Botanical Illustrators August President Edyta Hoxley Gate Lodge Cathy Trinca Growing Friends 100 Birdwood Avenue 7 Talk - Bhutan: John Patrick Vice-Presidents Michael Hare Melbourne Vic 3004 18 Gardening Workshops - Michelle Adler Susan Brookes Tel: (03) 9650 6398 Membership and Fax: (03) 9650 7723 Susan Chandler Marketing Email: September Secretary Lee Tregloan [email protected] Adnan Mansour 6 Fit Friends Ramble - Kyneton Publications Website: Treasurer Meg Miller www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org Maurice Castro Volunteers Print Post Approved Immediate Past John Goodwin The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, PP 345842/10025 President Inc. complies with the National Privacy Principles for the Friends’ Trust Fund A12827T Janet Thomson collection and use of personal information. Frank Phillips, Chairman ISSN 08170-650 Council Maurice Castro Printed on 50 per cent Peter Kelly © 2012 Botanic News FRBG Melbourne Peter Griffin Australian recycled paper Dr Richard Kirsner Janet Thomson Printer Dr Philip Moors Printgroup Holdings Aust Irwin Newman Marta Salamon Advertising Richard Smith Single DL and A4 inserts will be accepted in Botanic Editor News at a rate of $550 Meg Miller and $650 (including GST) Editor.Botnews@frbgmelb. respectively. org.au Editorial Advisory Committee Janet Thomson Susan Chandler Meg Miller

Photo: Jennifer Marshall 16 Botanic News | Winter 2012 calendar the friends

March The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Inc. is a group of passionate volunteers who support the Gardens, 2 Growing Friends’ Nursery open 9 am - 1 pm publicise its work, raise money for its health and work with others 9 Growing Friends’ Nursery open 9 am - 1 pm 16 Guided Nursery Visit to ensure the continuation of these resources for the enjoyment Growing Friends’ Nursery open 9 am - 1 pm and appreciation of present and future generations. 23 Growing Friends’ Nursery open 9 am - 1 pm Friends’ Office Gate Lodge, 100 Birdwood Avenue, 27 New Members Welcome 5.30 pm Virginia Henderson Melbourne Vic 3004 30 Growing Friends’ Nursery open 9 am - 1 pm Marguerite Hancock Tel: (03) 9650 6398 Fax: (03) 9650 7723 Karlene Taylor Email: [email protected] April Website: www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org 6-8 Easter Patron President Growing Friends 11 Day Trip - Duneira Mt Macedon The Honourable Alex Janet Thomson Michael Hare Chernov AC, QC, 14,15 Beginner’s Illustration Workshop Council Membership and Governor of Victoria 16-20 Workshop, painting in oils Peter Kelly Marketing 17 Talk - Women of Von Mueller: Dr Sara Maroske President Dr Richard Kirsner Lee Tregloan Cathy Trinca 21 Growing Friends’ Plant Sale 10 am to 4 pm Dr Philip Moors Publications Vice-Presidents 21,22 Beginner’s Illustration Workshop continues Irwin Newman Meg Miller 22 Growing Friends’ Plant Sale 10 am to 3 pm Susan Brookes Marta Salamon Volunteers 27 Talking Plants - Sasanqua Camellias Susan Chandler Richard Smith John Goodwin 28 Illustrator’s Classes Commence Secretary Committee Adnan Mansour convenors Friends’ Trust Fund May Events Frank Phillips, Treasurer Judy Trenberth Chairman Maurice Castro 2 Fit Friends Ramble - East Melbourne Botanical Illustrators Maurice Castro 3 Talk - Holly Kerr Forsyth Edyta Hoxley Peter Griffin 14 Insiders’ Walk - RBG Tropical Glasshouse Immediate Past Janet Thomson 18 Growing Friends’ Nursery open 9 am - 1 pm 25 Growing Friends’ Nursery open 9 am - 1 pm Botanic News is produced quarterly for the Friends as the 31 Talk - Brugmansia Dr Alistair Hay primary means of communicating with its Members. Editor Editorial Advisory Committee Note: The Friends’ Inclement Weather Policy states that Meg Miller: Janet Thomson outdoor events may be cancelled and the Nursery will not [email protected] Susan Chandler be open for sales if the temperature is predicted to be Meg Miller ISSN 08170-650 33ºC or above. Printer Printgroup Holdings Aust Printed on 50 per cent Australian recycled paper The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Print Post Approved PP 345842/10025 A12827T Inc. complies with the National Privacy Principles for the Advertising collection and use of personal information. Single DL and A4 inserts will be accepted in Botanic News at a rate of $550 and $650 (including GST) respectively. © 2012 Botanic News FRBG Melbourne

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17 Botanic News | Winter 2012