Networks are important for institutions to be involved with, and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are members of several professional organisations. The Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Inc (BGANZ) is the principal body representing the interests of botanic gardens in Australia and New Zealand. The aims of BGANZ include: Providing a forum for information exchange … Read More
One of the world’s oldest and rarest trees was recently planted in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. [one_half] The Wollemi pine is a living fossil from the dinosaur age, only recently discovered in New South Wales, Australia. Fewer than 100 mature specimens are still alive in the wild. This is the very first Wollemi pine to … Read More
As the leaves fall from the poplars and oaks in Hagley Park, from my office window I can now see the water of Victoria Lake glistening in the distance. Two things spring to mind. First, while the waters of Victoria Lake and the Botanic Gardens ponds are not quite sparklingly clear when viewed close-up, it is certainly good to have them filled once more. We are told it will be some time before the original wildlife returns to these newly clay-lined water bodies.
My second thought was that before too long the views from our offices in the Botanic Gardens operations centre and nursery area will change forever as we expect to embark on the carefully planned process of demolishing the old and constructing the new Botanic Gardens Centre (sometimes referred to as an Entry Pavilion).
The Canterbury Horticultural Society began with the colonisation of Canterbury in the 1850’s. It was originally called the Christchurch Agricultural, Botanical and Horticultural Society. In 1861 the group split and the Horticultural arm became the Christchurch Horticultural Society. This changed its name in 1898 to become the Canterbury Horticultural Society, which today is the largest … Read More