By Sean Cole
Every week or two somewhere in Australia, a new plant pest or disease is detected. Most growers never see those headlines directly, but the consequences travel fast: lost crops, halted plant movements, disrupted supply chains and extra costs.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Siemon, Damian Wrigley, David Smith, Peter Scott, Brett Summerell, Matthew Laurence and Sarah Dunstan
Australia’s botanic gardens are more than tranquil retreats and essential hubs for conservation – they are frontline sentinels in the battle against invasive species, plant pathogens and the growing threats posed by global change.… Continue reading
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This green wall is in the foyer of the Mercy Health Aged Care Centre (Image: Evergreen Infrastructure)
By Michael Casey
Indoor green walls introduce nature into hospitals, schools and workplaces, but maintaining these living systems requires careful and knowledgeable horticultural management. Integrated Pest Management helps protect plant health while safeguarding the people who share these spaces.
Cities are becoming greener in visible and exciting ways with green roofs appearing above offices, biodiversity gardens transforming rooftops and podiums, and inside many of our public buildings living green walls now provide striking visual connections to nature.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Gabrielle Stannus
Female-owned and operated practices are shaping some of the most thoughtful and plant-driven work emerging in Australia today. One such practice is Super Bloom, a horticultural and planting design studio founded by Jac Semmler. Through large-scale public projects, demonstration gardens and now a new book, Jac is challenging long-held assumptions about what ornamental planting can deliver, aesthetically, ecologically and socially.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Gabrielle Stannus
A town planner by trade, Natalie Vallance has grown into the role of a grower with the support of her late husband and horticulturist, Steve. Together the pair transformed an essentially vacant block of land 50 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia, into the Muchea Tree Farm, a thriving production nursery specialising in Australian natives and Proteaceae.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Denis Crawford
Varroa mite has spread significantly since it was detected in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle in June 2022. Varroa mite is likely to have a significant impact on the hives of commercial and recreational beekeepers, as well as decimate feral honey bee colonies.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Geoffrey Weir
There were no words … It was breathtaking, overwhelming, it left me feeling insignificant. It was everything I just described and more. Long have I toiled with describing the emotions that were felt that day.… Continue reading
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Aerial view of the Dry River Bed taken in 2022 showing significant dieback due to Armillaria (Image: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria)
By Tex Moon
Within the Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, the Dry River Bed precinct has undergone a remarkable transformation that redefines both the aesthetics and ecological function of native plant landscapes. Once dominated by dense woody shrubs, this 3,300m² curved and sunken space served as a structural and visual link between the Red Sand Garden and the Eucalypt Walk.… Continue reading
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Creating more greenspaces in schools allows students to participate in the installation and upkeep along with having greenspaces to enjoy (Image: Evergreen Infrastructure)
By Michael Casey
Greener cities mean healthier lives for their inhabitants. If we are to prevent disease, improve mental health, and create resilient, liveable communities in Australia, we must invest in urban nature.
Australia faces a growing public health challenge: the rising burden of preventable chronic disease.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy 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
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