Lumen Waite 100 - Flipbook - Page 38
Gardens
of Note
The Waite Arboretum, Urrbrae House gardens
and the Waite Conservation Reserve are
made of many impressive parts.
WORDS › SIMON BEHENNA
| PICTURES › THOMAS MCCAMMON
Garden of Discovery
Waite Conservation Reserve
In 2009, in collaboration with the SA Branch of the
Mediterranean Garden Society, the Garden of Discovery
was planted with native plants suited to the soil and climate.
Designed with pathways, soundscapes, outdoor books and
interpretive signage, the Garden of Discovery highlights
some of the internationally significant achievements of
South Australian scientists in environmental and agricultural science at the Waite campus. The thematic garden
rooms evoke the history of Peter Waite and the scientific
achievements of the campus. Volunteers tend the garden
and plant the annual historic wheat display.
The Waite Conservation Reserve is noted as one of the
largest and best surviving examples of Grey Box Grassy
Woodland in South Australia. It is home to more than
200 species of native plants as well as kangaroos, koalas
and echidnas. The three marked trails within the Reserve
– the Loop Trail, the Sheoak Loop Trail and part of the
extensive Yurrebilla Trail – are popular with walkers, hikers
and ramblers, providing an invigorating nature experience
with (shh!) the best views in Adelaide, a mere six kilometres
from the CBD.
The Sensory Garden
One of a series of thematic gardens in the Urrbrae House
Historic Precinct Gardens, the Sensory Garden stimulates
different senses and is designed to incorporate plants with
captivating colours, textures, aromas and tastes. Within
this garden are exciting artworks and plantings which
provide a tranquil, informative, humorous and stimulating
recreational space for everyone, particularly those with
disabilities. It is a haven for birds and butterflies and offers
a kaleidoscope of colours, aromas and textures.
Palms and Cycads Collection
The Arboretum has two main palm collections. The
first collection was established in 1928 and features a
handsome Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis, several
jelly palms Butia capitata and many other species of
interest. The second collection was established along the
watercourse in 1994 with donations from the Palm and
Cycad Society (S.A.) and is interspersed with cycads. The
collection consists of more than 300 palm specimens from
33 genera, and over 70 cycad plants from seven genera
and 43 specimens. Visitors can take note of which varieties
could be grown in home gardens of South Australia under
harsh conditions.
Elm Avenue
A splendid avenue of 68 English elms, dating back to
1928, frames the estate, guiding the view westwards to the
distant Gulf St Vincent. The picturesque avenue is equally
beautiful when viewed from the opposite end, where it
sweeps upwards from Fullarton Road to the Waite Main
Building. The trees put on a spectacular show during
autumn and display a flush of bright green leaves in spring.
One can easily imagine its location being prized for a postprandial amble on a Sunday afternoon.
The Bee, Butterfly and Bird Garden
The BB&B Garden is an organic corridor covering 300
square metres and is home to more than 700 plants of more
than 40 different local species. It has a selection of small
shrubs, herbaceous grasses and groundcovers flowering
and fruiting at different times of the year. The plants are
local species that naturally occur in the Mount Lofty area
with similar soil conditions and rainfall requirements. These
plants, trees and other structures are close to a watercourse
and attract a range of birds, butterflies, bees, reptiles, frogs,
possums, ants, beetles and other insects. As well as boosting
biodiversity and providing a resource for student research
projects, the BB&B Garden aims to inspire the community
to copy the initiative.
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