Botanical Gardens replanting begins

BEAUTY will be in full bloom at the Botanical Gardens this autumn.

More than 30 garden beds have been replanted in the gardens themselves, as well as at the Victoria and Sturt Street entrances.

While the Robert Clark conservatory is closed due to COVID-19, a chrysanthemum display will also be installed in the north and south windows of the glasshouse to honour all mums.

Cr Daniel Moloney is the chair of the Lake and Gardens committee and said the city is fortunate to have a dedicated and talented horticultural team.

“For more than 150 years, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens have provided a touch of colour to brighten our days, and this will be remembered as a point in history when more than ever we needed the lake and gardens to boost spirits,” he said.

“For several weeks, many of us have only spoken to our mums over the phone, or seen them via video chats, so this tribute to local mothers comes at an important time.”

Steel edging has also been implemented on some of the garden beds, which will allow for consistent spacing and width of the flower allotments and make maintenance easier for gardening crews.

Gardens curator Peter Marquand said the edging will help preserve the displays of the beds.

“Some of our beds have been in the same location for over 100 years and over that time have become bigger and, in some cases, out of alignment,” he said.