The Gondwana Garden
Take a journey through time, trace the evolutionary steps of terrestrial plants, and learn about Australia's ancient rainforest origins in the Gondwana Garden.The Gondwana Garden completes the metaphorical journey of water throughout the Australian Garden and is a refuge for ferns, cycads, conifers and rainforest plants. Expect to see lush shiny foliage, spectrums of green and diversity in leaf shape and plant form.
Around 180 million years ago the super continent, Gondwana, connected Australia with Antarctica, Africa, South America, New Zealand, the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula. These regions share ancient plant origins.
Key Plants
Soft Tree Fern
Dicksonia antarctica
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Mount Spurgeon Black Pine
Prumnopitys ladei
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Wollemi Pine
Wollemia nobilis
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Bolwarra
Eupomatia laurina
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Myrtle Beech
Nothofagus cunninghamii
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Burrawang
Lepidozamia peroffskyana
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Soft Tree Fern
<em>Dicksonia antarctica</em>
A tall but slow growing tree fern from creeks, gullies and wet forests of eastern Australia. It prefers moist organic soil in a shaded position away from drying winds.
Notes from the Curator
Scott Levy
While rainforests are ancient wild places, lots of plants from these environments make for excellent garden plants. Although they generally have higher water requirements and benefit from shelter, often suitable environments can be found on the southern sides of buildings, low lying areas and near drainage lines. The Gondwana Garden has a focus on ancient plants, lush foliage, trunks and greenery that may in turn inspire your own secluded garden refuge.