High Flying Palms Hit Black Mountain!

One of the largest transplanting operations undertaken by the Botanic Gardens in recent years will take place today when twelve large palms from Queensland will be lifted by crane into the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Gully.

The three metre tall palms were purchased by the Friends of the Gardens as part of a project developed by horticulturists Toby Golson and Stuart Donaldson to enhance the rainforest display.

Two species will be planted, Cabbage Palm, Livistona australis and Weeping Cabbage Palm, Livistona decipiens.

Cabbage Palm is Australia’s most southerly occurring palm – and the most cold hardy. Weeping Cabbage Palm occurs along the Queensland coast from Townsville to Maryborough. Although not as cold hardy as its southern cousin the dense canopy of the Rainforest Gully, established over the past 30 years, will provide protection from Canberra’s frosty nights.

"We have collected many species of palm to display in the Rainforest Gully during field trips – but mostly they are seeds or tiny seedlings which, in Canberra’s cool climate, will take years before reaching maturity. When the Friends provided the opportunity to purchase some larger palms we couldn’t resist the chance to help show the public what the rainforest environment is like" Mr Golson said.

The Friends of the Gardens have an on-going program to fund a variety of projects at the Gardens. These have included the development of a web-site on fungi, purchase of garden furniture, design of an extension to the Rock Garden and development of a masterplan for a public art program.

Time: 10 am - noon

Date: Thursday, 18 October 2001

Location: Rainforest Gully, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, ACT

For further information call:

Rodney Harvey, tel: 6250-9404 or (0407) 292 003

Anne Joyce, tel 6250-9538 or (0419) 622 550