On its north-western side there is a large, attractive water feature complete with waterfall. Above the water feature there is an extensive native garden maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers from the local Australian Plant Society with some help from the Council.

Within the garden there is an interesting range of native plants surviving and thriving in a fairly harsh environment.

The following are descriptions of some of the varieties of grevillea in the Arboretum native garden.

Firstly we should mention a species that is native to the Arboretum. Exocarpos cupressiformis is known as Cherry Ballarat or Native Cherry.

This tall, graceful shrub has fine, yellowish green foliage and produces red, edible fruits. The Native Cherry is common throughout our area. This is a difficult species to cultivate as it is what is known as a hemi- parasite and derives some nutrients from the roots of nearby plants.

Grevilleas figure prominently in the Arboretum native garden. Two species are of particular interest. Grevillea willisii is a native of Victoria and develops into a medium, spreading shrub with stiff, leathery, divided leaves.

The toothbrush-shaped flowers may be up to eight centimetres long, cream in colour and appear in large numbers from spring to summer. This handsome grevillea would be an eye-catching feature in the larger suburban garden or rural property.

Grevillea semperflorens reaches a height of two metres with pendulous branches. The leaves are divided into segments about five centimetres long. Flowers are orange-yellow and red, carried at the ends of the branches and present for many months.

This is a hybrid grevillea that first appeared in a garden in southern England in the early 1920’s.

Armidale Arboretum native garden is a restful place surrounded by an interesting array of native flora.