The Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium manages several botanic estates – the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Botanic Park, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Wittunga Botanic Garden and the Botanic Reserves under the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Act (1978).
Located in the heart of Adelaide, the Adelaide Botanic Garden showcases a diverse collection of plants from Australia and around the world. Adelaide Botanic Garden is one of the State’s most visited and loved institutions. Opened in 1857, the Garden has developed with the city, providing a rich array of leisure, tourism, cultural and scientific values and opportunities for the community and visitors.
The Living Collection of the Garden has over 300 plant Families represented. Key Collections include the Palm Collection, Mediterranean Garden, Cactus and Succulent Garden, International Rose Garden, Australian Mallee, Australian Forest, Economic Garden, Garden of Health and Kitchen Garden. Many collections are maintained in architectural glasshouses of note, including the heritage-listed Palm House, Bicentennial Conservatory and modern Amazon Waterlily Pavilion. The Museum of Economic Botany is a must visit.
The institution’s Science and Conservation team includes those working in the State Herbarium and the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, both of which are based in the Garden. Increasing knowledge and awareness of the state’s plants, fungi and algae, threatened species and post fire recovery of native flora are key areas of focus for these scientists.
Botanic Park is an arboretum of more than 1,500 specimens of native and exotic species, including plane trees, figs, oaks, olives, palms and. Since 2010, the Park has also become home to a camp of over 50,000 vulnerable listed Grey-Headed Flying-foxes.
The Garden and Park have many activities and events throughout the year, including WOMADelaide, art exhibitions and festivals, live plays and outdoor events, school education programs, teacher professional development sessions, botanic craft markets, rose shows, nature-based wellbeing sessions, guided walks and cultural tours and more. The Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium also have a vibrant Friends and Guides group. The Adelaide Botanic Gardens Foundation supports the work of the Gardens and accepts donations.
Visit our website for details, https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/visit/adelaide-botanic-garden.
