Stories from the Botanic Gardens

From what's blooming to the latest botanical science research, discover the stories that make the Botanic Gardens unforgettable places for science, horticulture and leisure.

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Autumn leaves scattered on the ground
Garden icon
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah

With a dense collection of cool climate trees nestled in amongst UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is one of the best places to marvel at nature’s spectacular show of autumn colour.

Horticulture
Looking up into a deciduous trees with autumn coloured leaves as the sun shines through
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Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah

March may mark the official start of autumn but horticulturalists across Botanic Garden of Sydney’s three sites have already seen leaves changing colour for some weeks now. 

Horticulture
Genetically diverse collection of River Red Gum seedlings

An Australian webtool designed to help practitioners consider genetic information and climate change when sourcing material for restoration has been showcased on the international stage. 

Science advancements
Brett Summerell sitting in a science lab

Prof. Brett Summerell has been recognised in the Australia Day 2024 Honours List. 

Science advancements
Bunya Pine cone

As the Bunya Pine dropping season begins, new research shows that Indigenous Australians increased the spread of Bunya Pine to preserve culture following European colonisation

Science advancements
A close up of a man planting herbs

The Community Greening program has helped establish hundreds of community gardens across New South Wales to positively impact people in cities and remote communities 

Horticulture
Chief Executive Denise Ora

Australia’s oldest scientific institution is soon to farewell Chief Executive, Denise Ora, after nearly a decade of service with the organisation. 

Brett Summerrell stands on a mountain range on Lord Howe Island

Chief Scientist Professor Brett Summerell shares his highlights and learnings from a field trip to the tiny island off Australia’s east coast

Science advancements
A team conducting field work on Eucalptus cryptica

To conserve populations of Eucalptyus cryptica, geneticists identified least related plants and designed a new population which maximised genetic diversity.

Science advancements
A group of Wollemi Pines in a canyon

Distributing genetically diverse Wollemi Pines around the world is setting a new benchmark for conservation

Science advancements
tea trees thumbnail

After years travelling across Australia sampling and sequencing numerous species in the genus Leptospermum, scientists have established four extra genera – renaming dozens of iconic tea tree species. 

Gardening tips
Tate animal trainers with two detective dogs

They may be cute, but experts have trained this pair of pups to sniff out a silent killer that’s decimating Australia’s vegetation

Horticulture