green thumbs up

By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE’S own Australia Garden was widely applauded as thousands of visitors sprawled through the 11 hectares at the opening day on Sunday.
The $14.5 million garden, featuring more than 100,000 Australian plants and trees, is the first garden of its scale to open in Victoria in 150 years.
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne divisional director Chris Russell said the opening day had gone without a hitch, with performances by local kids and indigenous artists Richard Cooke and Ian Cuming, a concert by Vika and Linda, children’s activities and Volunteer Master Garden demonstrations making the day.
“We were thrilled with the response from the public both in terms of the number of people who came and the feedback we got on the day was overwhelmingly positive,” Mr Russell said.
He said it was great to see people embracing Australian flora.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford was astounded at the crowds.
“It will definitely be a major tourist attraction and will also have offshoots of economic benefits to Cranbourne business at the same time,” Cr Bradford said.
Speaking at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne at the opening, Premier Steve Bracks said the garden was a tribute to the Australian landscape.
“The Royal Botanic Gardens’ vision for an area that showcases Australian landscapes and highlights the beauty and diversity of Australian flora has been realised with the creation of this magnificent garden,” Mr Bracks said.
“It offers great potential for enjoyment and relaxation, and is based on serious science and conservation, helping to make environmental issues both understandable and thought provoking.”
Environment Minister John Thwaites said the new garden was a living lesson in water conservation.
“Knowledge developed at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne for conserving water has been applied to the care of the plants growing in the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne,” Mr Thwaites said.
“One of the key ideas underpinning the design of the Australian Garden is that it takes into account the scarcity of water in various Australian landscapes.
“I am also delighted that several of the exhibition gardens will give home gardeners ideas to use in their own gardens, such as choosing low-water use plants, garden design and generally basing a garden on plants suitable for the environment.”
Features of the Australian Garden include a red sand garden, dry river bed, five exhibition gardens demonstrating how people can use Australian plants in their own homes, a eucalypt walk, escarpment wall, ephemeral lake sculpture and visitor centre.
The Australian Garden is now open to the public from 9am to 5pm daily. Admission prices are $9 for adults, $6.75 concession and children get in for free.
The gardens are located on Ballarto Road off the South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne. For information or bookings call 5990 2245.