After travelling a lot to Victoria I've noticed that most of the towns there have a Botanic Garden. From the small cities (Geelong) to the larger towns like Hamilton, Daylesford (beautiful rhododendrons) and down to small towns like Koroit, there's a Botanic Garden of varying sizes. That got me thinking why did they plant these. Was it civic pride? Was it due to the town coming into money? Was the natural vegetation to alien so they needed plants they recognized? Most of the plants tend to be from North America, Asia and Europe. Cedars are popular. Of the Australian trees Moreton Bay Figs and Queensland gums can be found. Most of the trees would have been small when they were planted which we enjoy in their full adult glory, so some fore thought for future generations did occur. Having seen some photos from the 1800's the settlers did clear most of the natural vegetation so a Botanic Garden provided a shaded, green area for the community. My next thought was why did Victorian towns regularly plant these gardens compared to South Australia. Was the climate better for planting such a garden. Whatever the reason these Gardens provide a quiet and beautiful location for us all.
Top Garden in Koroit. Rhododendrons in Daylesford. Colac.
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