Australian Garden

The Australian Garden was originally designed in the 1980s, adding to the Eucalyptus trees that were already present. Our Australian Garden contains some of our oldest plants in the Preserve.   We’ve continued to add trees, new pathways, and unusual specimens to this garden section.

Two areas of Australia have Mediterranean climate conditions: Southwestern Western Australia and South Australia around Adelaide. Plant materials in these two regions of Australia are dominated by the Mallee scrub.  This garden’s palette is derived mostly from this scrub, which is defined by pungent, evergreen shrubs of the genus Eucalyptus, close relatives of Australian forest species.  The prevailing grey-green color of the Eucalyptus leaves makes this vegetation appear uniform in composition, but actually, dozens of plant families are represented.

In our Australian Garden, you’ll find Grevillea, Banksia, Brachychiton, Melaleuca, Acacia, Hakea, and Callistemon plants, along with many rare species endemic to the Mediterranean areas of the Australian continent.   All of our Australian Garden sits on a hillside and along our service road.  There are two distinct sections within the area: the Australian Forest and the more sunny upslope that features more of our flowering specimens.   Brachychiton rupestris, commonly known as the narrow-leaved bottle tree, is one of our largest Brachychitons and can be found along Banksia Walkabout.  Another plant not to miss is Acacia cognate, or Acacia “Cousin Itt”, which can be found along lower Wollemi Walk.