Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Displays tell story of Barossa's native flora
Old Gum Tree interpretive sign
Looking up at the Old Gum Tree
AMLR Regional NRM Liaison Officer Geoff Rogers and Barossa Bush Gardens Chair Tony Chapman, at Silver Banksia Garden
A native botanic garden in the picturesque Barossa Valley wine region of South Australia is increasing community awareness about the area's vulnerable native flora.
Established in 2001, the community-run Barossa Bushgardens grows local native plants on a seven-hectare site in Nuriootpa, the Barossa's commercial centre. The garden is a seed orchard and sanctuary for the Barossa's original native vegetation, most of which has been lost.
Each year thousands of visitors buy seedlings from the garden's 100 or so endemic varieties, supporting the restoration of native bush throughout the region.
Funding
In 2005 the Barossa Bushgardens received more than $24,000 from the Australian Government to install interpretive signs on the site and increase the diversity of native plants. The project received further Australian Government funding of more than $17,000 in 2006-07.
Activities
Barossa Bushgardens Coordinator Chris Hall said over 150 volunteers were involved in the project.
“We've put a lot of effort into nurturing our volunteer base through a successful ‘patch adoption’ scheme,” Chris said.
“Local people each adopt a small row, or display garden, as their own and care for it, and are acknowledged through signage bearing their name.”
Native seed is collected from the Barossa and propagated in the on-site nursery. Site preparation is important, with weeds such as salvation jane and couch removed prior to planting.
Barossa Bushgardens was established as a seed orchard to conserve the region's dwindling native vegetation. There are over 300 plant varieties native to the Barossa, some of which face extinction.
The project created and installed 13 interpretive signs to highlight a variety of themed areas.
“The ‘Inspiration Garden’ is attracting a lot of attention with four low water use demonstration gardens. The plants are specially selected and grouped so there's always something in flower,” Chris said.
The Old Gum Tree Enclosure highlights the plight of the Redgum under threat from dieback, stock grazing and disease. The enclosure allows understorey species to recover, with visitors able to see a new generation of Redgums emerging.
Achievements
Chris said the new signs and range of native plants had made the Bushgardens a highly presentable reference point for people of all ages to visit.
“We conduct tours for many of local school children,” Chris said.
“Bi-annual open days attract upwards of 500 visitors who are keen to buy natives such as the Silver Banksia to grow in their gardens or on their vineyards.”
More information
- Chris Hall, Barossa Bushgardens Coordinator: (08) 8524 5432 or chall@barossa.sa.gov.au
Barossa Bushgardens
See also
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