Wardian display encased in cottage

A DISCOVERY that revolutionised the world of botany is the focus of a display opening to the public on Saturday.

The Wardian Case: An Exhibition is opening at the Gatekeepers Cottage on Nursery Drive, led by Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

Co-organiser Lorraine Powell said at least four cases, a few terrariums, and some domes will be showcased, all on loan from case collectors and plant-lovers.

“There’ll also be panels describing some Wardian Case stories, including one about a princess of Siam and some Siamese orchids,” she said.

“They’ll see plants in exuberance, a screen presentation, some quotes… It will be a pretty rich experience.”

Wardian cases are a miniature glasshouse, invented by Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1829.

They were used by botanists throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to transport plants across the world, and to show plants in the home for pleasure, much like a terrarium.

Ballarat Botanical Gardens staff, for example, made the most of Wardian cases in the 1900s.

“Australia was right there at the very beginning, getting things from America, the South Pacific, and sending plants everywhere,” Ms Powell said. “We were cutting edge with scientific gardening ideas.

“There were also unexpected consequences, because we were getting weeds, and sending things that turned into weeds in other environments. We were also sending bugs.

“Because of the Wardian Case, things like the quarantining of plants came into being, to prevent the spread of diseases which could damage our agricultural economy.”

Except for Wednesday 18 October, the exhibition will be open every day from tomorrow, Saturday 14, to Sunday 22 October, from 10am to 4pm, with illustrator of botanicals and insects, Gina Gould-Hardwick, as artist in residence over the eight days.

“Gina will set up a studio in the cottage and will also be seen at her easel in the gardens during the exhibition,” Ms Powell said.

Plants inside the cottage have been provided by Formosa Gardens Nursery.

A launch of the exhibition is taking place tonight, with artist Criss Canning and her husband David Glenn, the owners of Lambley Gardens and Nursery, officially opening the showcase.