The centre of Sydney is dominated by skyscrapers, traffic and noise. But in all this activity, there are havens of peace and quiet plus plenty to interest the gardener.
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The Sydney Royal Botanic Garden (RBG), situated on the harbour, is one such place.
The RBG has an area of 30 hectares (74 acres), was opened in 1836 and is one of most important historic botanical institutions in the world.
An eye-catching feature is the historic, hand-hewn sandstone blocks that curve around Farm Cove and act as the boundary between the garden and the harbour.
The garden has many areas of horticultural interest. The RBG’s Palm Grove is worth a visit with more than 300 species including Australian and rare species from New Caledonia and Madagascar.
The collection was started in 1862 and would be one of the oldest and most comprehensive palm collections in the world.
The terraced Southern Africa Garden was opened in February 2018 and includes a collection of rare cycads and an array of proteas.
The proteas are of particular interest because of their close relationship with our banksias, grevilleas and hakeas. Proteas are often included in bunches of native flowers and foliage in the mistaken belief that they are Australian plants.
The banksias were in flower and one tree had the largest flower spikes we have ever seen on this species.
The Australian Native Rockery was where we spent the most time during our visit. The rockery follows the path that leads to the Opera House and was replanted and renovated for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
The rockery is dominated by gymea lilies (Doryanthes excelsa) with their long strap-like leaves and towering flower heads. Grass trees, eucalypts and grevilleas are well represented in the rockery.
During the lunch hour, the RBG becomes the jogging capital of Sydney.
Heading west around the foreshore and under the Harbour Bridge, we come to Barangaroo Reserve. This headland used to be part of the Sydney port system until it moved to Port Botany. The reserve has an area of 6 hectares and was opened in 2015.
More than 75,000 native plants have been planted in the reserve and are species that occur or used to occur in the Sydney region.
We saw some familiar plants including Banksia integrifolia, Banksia robur, Callistemon Anzac, two clematis species, and Correa alba.
There were a number of Banksia integrifolia growing as specimens in a lawn. Each plant was surrounded by a heavily mulched circular area. This would make mowing around these trees easier.
The banksias were in flower and one tree had the largest flower spikes we have ever seen on this species.
Banksia robur is not widely cultivated in our area, but will grow in moist conditions.
Both clematis species are native to the Northern Tablelands. They are vigorous climbers that are covered in white flowers during spring. Bees are attracted to the flowers.
Correa alba is an old favourite that will survive and bloom bounteously in heavily shaded situations.
There we have two oases of peace, tranquility and horticultural interest in the centre of Sydney. Both are worth a visit.
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