Get growing
... and let nature reward you in the garden
ALL life depends on plants but with scientists estimating that one third of all flowering plant species are under threat of extinction, our earth is facing a crisis. This is where gardens play an essential role.
In the botanic garden
FOR centuries, botanic gardens have led research and generated knowledge about plants and how they grow (botany and horticulture).
Not only is a botanic garden a place where plants and landscapes can be enjoyed and where visitors can go for peace, relaxation, entertainment, recreation and education, they provide an opportunity into research, ecology and conservation. They are important sites because they maintain plants away from their natural habitat.
A botanic garden is an establishment that is open to the public, is permanent, provides displays, plays a significant role in education, documents and labels a large collection of plants, conducts scientific research and programs in plant taxonomy. It also provides knowledge and appreciation of plants.
When you visit a botanic garden you may see: a seed bank; a glasshouse/shade-house to accommodate the needs of all plants that require specific climatic conditions to survive; themed gardens which are a display or collection of plants grouped according to their botanical relationship, ecological or geographic area such as a Japanese garden; water features; a herbarium which is a collection of preserved plant specimens; special events like cultural days, music festivals, art/sculpture displays, guided tours; facilities such as restaurants/cafes, visitors’ centres, garden/gift shops, toilets, picnic areas with barbeques, walks and trails, children’s playgrounds and educational areas.
Is there a botanic garden near where you live?
What’s growing on – a pressing concern
WHEN explorers ventured out in the 16th century to discover parts unknown, they often returned with samples of new plants they'd come across along the way. On these long voyages it was difficult to keep living samples of them so botanists devised a solution by creating a collection of pressed plants.
The system they designed includes carefully pressing plants, mounting each specimen on a sheet of heavy paper with an accompanying information card with details of when and where the plant was found and by whom, its habitat and the common and scientific names (if known). These plant libraries, which scientists still use today, are called herbaria.