Candidimage Photography: November 2008

Friday, November 21, 2008

Australian Garden Visit - Post Twelve Eucalypt Walk

Australian Garden Visit - Eucalypt Walk

The Eucalypt Walk was indeed a highlight of the Australian Garden visit for me, it displays the diversity of this iconic group of well known Australian plants the Eucalypt. The Eucalypt or more commonly know gum tree are the essence of the Australian flora. The term gum tree is derived from the habit of some species of Eucalypt to exude a sticky gum- like substance from their trunks. Even a non-gardener in Australia would know what a gum tree looks and smells like.

Photos views of the Eucalypt walk

The walk features a series of five garden areas separated by narrow clearings highlighting the different groupings within the Eucalypt genus. Displayed in these areas are the well known Eucalypt species Stringybark, Ironbark, Peppermint, Bloodwood and Box. Still in an immature state these trees will continue to grow and mature and will add to the changing face of the gardens as they grow for future generations. Take note of the use of the large rocks through out the walk and the beautiful under plantings through out this area add colour and smells of the Australian bush.

Photos views of the Eucalypt walk

The commercial use of the Eucalypt most importantly in the Forestry industry, where there has been considerable conflict between conservation groups and logging groups over the past twenty years or so. Also a commercially important feature of eucalypt is the extraction of the oils contained in the foliage, that they are so well known for. I find it some what of a shame to learn that more eucalyptus oil is produce overseas today than that what we produce here in Australia.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Australian Garden Visit - Post Eleven Dry River Bed

Australian Garden Visit - Dry River Bed

The Dry River Bed design is based on the influence of water on the Australian landscape, Australia being the driest inhabited continent in the world. This garden is filled with a large selection of groundcovers and low-growing shrubs that have been planted in broken rivulet shape garden beds. Throughout this area of the gardens various gravels, pebbles, barks and other textured materials have been used as mulch.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Australian Garden Visit - Post Ten The Arid Garden

Australian Garden Visit - Post Ten The Arid Garden

Photos views of the Arid Garden

This area has been designed to demonstrate water on the Australian landscape. The Australia landscape is prone to extended periods of drought and alternating periods of flood. Australian plants have had evolve and adapt to be able to cope and survive the extremes of the Australia environment.

Grass trees now growing in the gardens were saved from destruction as the land on which they were growing was being cleared for a mining project.

Photos views of Desert Discovery Camp

You will find some beautiful flowering natives throughout this area of the gardens such as Calothamnus, Acacia, Eremophila, Grevillea to name but a few. You will have many good photos opertunities as you make your way up to Desert Discovery Camp sand pit, where you will see the fossils and footprints in the shady area under the roof. You have a very magnificent view back over the Red Sand Garden and the visitor centre from this point of the garden.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Australian Garden Visit - Post Nine Serpentine Walk

Australian Garden Visit - Serpentine Walk

Photo seasonal flowers

The Serpentine walk with it curved rambling path climbs gradually up from the waterhole bridge towards the Arid Gardens and the Desert Discovery Camp. The seasonal flowers bring a colourful display with many different types of daisies, hedge salt bush, fan-flowers and many more, so there are plenty of plants for you to see as you stroll along the path.

Photos views of Serpentine walk

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Australian Garden Visit - Post Eight Escarpment Wall Sculpture

Australian Garden Visit - Escarpment Wall Sculpture

Photos Escarpment Wall Sculpture

Rockpool waterway cascades along the full length of this unique Escarpment Wall Sculpture with it's warm richly red coloured sculptural artwork of twisted steel. It stretches almost 100 metres and is made up of huge separate interlocking components of metal. This sculpture is a stunning addition to the garden and can't help but capture the eye of the visitor as it screens the Red Sand Garden which is it's self a massive sculptural artwork.

Escarpment Wall Sculpture

Friday, November 7, 2008

Australian Garden Visit - Post Seven Rockpool Waterway

Australian Garden - Rockpool Waterway

Photos follow the waterway from start to finish

The Rockpool waterway flows along the full-length, of the Escarpment Wall Sculpture. At the top of this rockpool it starts off in a source pool and gentle flows from the ground. Then gentle flows down a series of four cascades, with that wonderful sound of running water. It is a beautiful shallow Rockpool Waterway, where children are encouraged to wade, but not swim, 'between the flags'. The water is recycled at the bottom and pumped up to the top to restart it's journey.

Australian Garden Visit - Post Six Kid's Backyard

Australian Garden - Kid's Backyard

This is a children friendly garden and lets face it there are not many gardens that cater for the children. But this area has been set aside just with them in mind, a place to challenge their imagination and let them go exploring and run off that excess energy. The idea of the large inverted tree trunks is to represent a dinosaur.

Photos of the children's play ground

The Australian Garden has it's own garden club for kids, called Garden Grubs Kids Club. It is intended for children aged 5 - 10 years and all members receive a back pack full of goodies. The Australian Garden has an activity program intended for the children over school holidays. What a wonderful way to encourage the youth and our next generation into gardening and the environment.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Australian Garden Visit - Post Five Home Garden

Australian Garden - Home Garden

This is part of the home garden display

This area of the garden was one of my favorites parts, with the many faces of the room, which looks entirely different from each angle you view it. And many ideas were born from this display for my garden at home. All I need now is a willing husband to help the ideas come to fruition.

Candidimage Photography