Australian Botanic Gardens

Australia Post has issued the stamp  features five of Australia's major botanic gardens on September 12th, 2007. The stamps celebrate the beauty of plants through differing seasons and the diversity of specific garden types.

Botanic gardens can be traced back to the medicinal teaching collections of the 16th century in Europe and flourished with exploration and colonial empire-building. Seeds and plants were sent back to the gardens from all over the world and early Australian governors and settlers viewed the establishment of botanic gardens as a part of civilised living and colonial advancement. It is no surprise then that land was designated for botanic gardens in many regional towns as well as the cities.

 

Botanic Gardens of Adelaide

The 1837 plan of Adelaide showed an area set aside for a botanic garden which was finally opened in 1857. Many of the trees were planted in the 19th century including those in the Moreton Bay Fig Avenue (1866), Araucaria Avenue (1868), and Plane Tree Ring (1883). The Garden specialises in scientific and educational displays of ornamental plants, both exotic and native.

 

Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt. Coot-tha

These subtropical Gardens cover 52 hectares and are located only seven kilometres from the city centre. They were opened in 1976 and are home to over 20,000 plants. Specialty gardens include the Japanese Garden, the Australian Plant Communities Garden with its lake and totems, and the Tropical Display Dome.
 

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

The gardens were established in 1846 but it wasn't until 1857 that the first full time Director, Ferdinand von Mueller was appointed. Mueller was to become one of the most acclaimed botanists of the 19th century. He established the Garden's scientific centre, the National Herbarium of Victoria, and amassed an extraordinary range of plants from every corner of the world.

Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain, Sydney

A 64 hectare oasis sits in the heart of the city and occupies one of Sydney's most spectacular positions on the harbour The Garden was established in 181 Band is the oldest scientific institution in Australia home to an outstanding collection of plants, which include endangered species such as the ancient Wollemi Pine rediscovered in 1994. Only 100 of these adult trees grow in the wild of the Blue Mountains in NSW.

 

Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth

Right on the edge of Perth's city centre, the Garden and Park cover 400 hectares and is notable for its remarkable collection of wildflowers. Nearly two-thirds of the area is natural bushland and has a balance of superb cultivated gardens and open recreational areas. The park was gazetted as a public park in 1872 and renamed Kings Park in 19W in honour of King Edward VII, after a visit to Perth by his son, the Duke of York (later King George V).

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