Embrace springtime at the GardensNovember has arrived, and as we enter "Sprummer", my favourite way to describe the breezy, sunny days of late spring and early summer, I can't recommend a visit to the Gardens enough. Bees are buzzing around beautiful blooms like electric Purple torch flowers (Bartlettina sordida) – something of a late spring icon at Melbourne Gardens (and often appearing in my Instagram landscape photographs). Over at Cranbourne Gardens there's also a bounty of colourful blooms, including this incredible native Beard Orchid (Calochilus). I'm delighted to announce the new Arid Garden at Melbourne Gardens will be opening later this month, and a remarkable world of cacti and succulents awaits you! The collection will feature more than 3000 arid plants, with many sourced from the Fields collection created by Ralph and Robert Fields in Tennyson, which was brought to Australia in the 1930s. The team at Melbourne Gardens has worked tirelessly and overcame many obstacles to prepare the Arid Garden for visitors, and I couldn't be prouder of their incredible work, or more excited for you to see the completed project in all its prickly perfection. If you're unable to visit the Gardens and are looking for ways to connect with nature from the comfort of your own home, make sure to stop by our Virtual Garden for wonderful wellbeing experiences, slow walks and activities to entertain your little ones. It's been a joy to see visitors returning to Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens, lounging on lawns and strolling serenely past garden beds bursting with spring blooms. I look forward to more lovely afternoons at the Gardens ahead and to welcoming visitors for further afield as the restrictions ease. As always, I hope you are keeping safe and well. Tim Entwisle Director and Chief Executive Latest News Meet Our Resident Wildlife Photographer, Ricardo Simao Keep Your Cut Flowers in Tip-Top Shape Visit the Virtual Garden Escape to the Gardens from the comfort of your home with the Virtual Garden. Meet the Sky Watcher Take a Dreamy Virtual Stroll Through the Red Sand Garden Feast with Friends Picnic Perfection at Melbourne Gardens In Bloom Melbourne Gardens Cranbourne Gardens Your SnapshotsShare your special moments from the Gardens on Instagram with @royalbotanicgardensvic and #royalbotanicgardensvic. Cranbourne Gardens We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and learn and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. |