Care for the Rare collection now on display

Parks staff from Wellington Shire Council recently rolled up their sleeves alongside Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens to plant a collection of rare and threatened species found in the region.

Sale is one of six Victorian gardens participating in the first round of the Care for the Rare project, which was developed by the Victorian Chapter of Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand (BGANZ).

Plants were first collected and grown by Cranbourne Botanic Gardens before being planted in the Sale gardens, where they are on display in the Care for the Rare Living Collection.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Garry Stephens said the project was an opportunity to ensure the protection of rare or threatened species of plants endemic to the local area.

"We were pleased to be one of just six botanic gardens in the state selected for this conservation project, and we're glad to be able to fully appreciate the collection now that it has been planted," Cr Stephens said.

"I'm sure both locals and visitors to our region will embrace this beautiful display of rare plants in Sale Botanic Gardens and will appreciate the importance of protecting rare and threatened species."

Council officers and Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens members are currently working with an interpretation consultant on interpretive materials about the collection, which will be in place by next year.

The Care for the Rare Living Collection is just one of several exciting projects happening at Sale Botanic Gardens.

Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens are currently conducting free pop-up guided tours on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the Archibald Prize exhibition. For bookings, which are essential, contact 0413 919 537.

Planting of the Climate Matched Collection, which displays plants from around the world that have similar climates to Sale, was also recently completed.

Construction has started on a new barbecue pavilion with plans to finish before the Christmas celebration period.

Meanwhile a Bill Cane Collection is in the design stage to be constructed early in 2022.

The collection will recognise the important contribution made by local plantsman Bill Cane to native plant breeding.  

Early planning is also underway for the re-design of the existing Sensory Garden, with construction in the first half of next year.  

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