George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
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The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens are located in Palmerston in the Northern Territory of Australia. The gardens cover 42 hectares and are noted for their collections of north Australian and other tropical species.
[edit] History
The gardens were established on their present site in 1866; this was the third attempt by European settlers of Darwin to establish a site where plants of economic importance could be tested for their suitability in the tropics.[1] Initially the collection of the gardens was focussed on economic gardening and the ornamental plantings. The gardens were severely damaged during Cyclone Tracy in 1974, 89% of all plants were lost.[2] Restoration after the cyclone was led by George Brown, Brown had worked at the gardens since 1969 and served as curator from 1971 to 1990, becoming Mayor of Darwin in 1992. The gardens were renamed to recognised George Brown's contribution and 32 years service to the development of the gardens.[2]
In 2000 Darwin's historic former Wesleyan methodist church was moved from Knuckey Street and reconstructed at the Gardens. It is the oldest surviving building in Darwin.
[edit] Collection
The gardens contain a major collection of Northern Australian monsoon flora; these include communities like mangroves, monsoon vine thicket, Tiwi Island wet forest and those found on the Arnhem Land escarpment. The gardens also has a large collection of native and introduced tropical plants including cycads, palms, Adansonia, gingers and heliconias.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. Darwin Botanic Gardens - About Us
- ^ a b NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. Darwin Botanic Gardens - George Brown
- ^ NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. Darwin Botanic Gardens - The Collection
