By Denis Crawford
In the Pest Files of May 2024, I detailed several invasive pests which have established in parts of Australia. My thesis was that those invasive pests have something in common, the ability to travel long distances in horticultural material.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Michael Casey
As cities face rising environmental pressures, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA)’s draft Practice Note 15 offers a timely framework to formally recognise green infrastructure as a core asset class, integrating nature into the heart of urban planning, financial strategy, and infrastructure resilience.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Zoe Cwojdzinski
Plants have proven countless benefits over centuries for human health and wellbeing, but a University of Technology Sydney collaboration highlights their impact as urban temperatures continue to climb.
Our cities are getting hotter. More than half the world’s population now lives in urban areas, a number expected to climb to 70 per cent by 20501[GS1] .… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Patrick Regnault
Horticultural pests and diseases are constantly evolving, and increasingly so in the face of anthropogenic climate change. This global phenomenon is also changing the natural range of pests and diseases. What might this mean for Australia, and what can we do about it as an industry?… Continue reading
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The Bruce building in Kensington, Melbourne offers a blend of interior and exterior plant life, providing multiple environmental benefits for people working there (Image: Evergreen Infrastructure)
By Michael Casey
Green infrastructure is reshaping schools in Australia and around the world. But its impact need not stop at the school gate. Could similar approaches improve our workplaces, making them healthier, more inviting spaces?… Continue reading
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The endangered Euphrasia lasianthera found growing in an open grassland in the Victorian Alps (Image: Alex McLachlan)
Alex McLachlan
Many Australian Euphrasia species face declining populations due to significant changes in climate, with rising temperatures in Australia’s alpine regions putting Euphrasia populations at high risk. Botanic gardens are actively working to conserve some of the rarest species, however much work remains before euphrasia can be considered truly safe from extinction.… Continue reading
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Young Botanists label their own seed packets to begin their own seed collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (Image: RBGV)
Megan Hirst and Claire Mosley
Science, education and art can be integrated in numerous ways, and this has been demonstrated often with reference to teaching methods, curriculum, and school-based projects. Applying science and art to teaching requires a positive, supportive environment that assists schools by developing a rich learning experience as well as personalising a student’s experience through meaningful and engaging content. The… Continue reading
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Queensland Bottle Tree taking pride of place in the newly renovated Arid Garden (Image: Michael Elgey)
By Michael Elgey
The genus Brachychiton, part of the Malvaceae family, comprises around 30 species which are endemic to Australia and one species native to Papua New Guinea. These trees have become horticultural icons, admired for their distinctive forms, adaptability, and spectacular seasonal displays.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Michael Casey
Green infrastructure and urban greening deliver a wide range of benefits. It cools our buildings and local environments, supports biodiversity, and helps manage stormwater during periods of heavy rainfall. While these environmental benefits are widely acknowledged, the economic advantages are often viewed narrowly, typically in terms of increased property values, higher building occupancy rates, and elevated sale prices.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dr. Megan Hirst
Seeds can be overlooked next to floral displays, but we can truly appreciate their hidden beauty under magnification. Seeds allow plants to move through space and time, and with this, a sense of wonder.
For some species, their seed has the amazing ability to lie dormant for tens to hundreds of years, providing insurance against the extinction of plants in the wild.… Continue reading
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