Adelaide Botanic Gardens

History
South Australia was proclaimed in December 1836, and in 1837 Col W. Light in his chart of Adelaide showed an sphere arrangement aside for a botanic garden. It was not until 1854, after a public magnetism to the Governor, that the Agricultural and Horticultural Society recommended the making of a 16 ha (41 acres) botanic backyard on the offering site.

In April 1855, George Francis was appointed Superintendent, and the backyard was opened to the public in 1857. In scheming the layout, Francis is said to have been influenced by those at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in England and Versailles in France, together with certain German and Dutch stylistic influences. Even today, the Adelaide Botanic Garden has a northern European style, also reflected in its nineteenth century buildings.



Main Entrance, Adelaide Botanic Garden, 1863

In 1865, George Francis resigned because of ill health. Dr Richard Schomburgk was appointed his successor, a post which he held until his end in 1891. Under Schomburgk, lots notable features were added to the original chart established by Francis, including dozens trees which remain today. These include Moreton Bay Fig Avenue (1866), Araucaria Avenue (1868), and Plane Tree Ring (1883).

Botanic Park, the large sphere of c.34 ha (84 acres) north of the Garden, was acquired in 1866. Its tree accumulation still contains dozens of the early plantings such as Plane Tree Drive (1874). It was in Botanic Park that the Salvation Army held its first Australasian conference in 1880, and a tree commemorating this opportunity was planted on the centenary in 1980.

In succession to grow tropical action accumulation glasshouses were necessary and in 1868 the Victoria House was constructed especially for the Victoria water lily, Victoria amazonica. This first flowered in breeding in England in 1849, and in 1868 in the Victoria House, generating parting up to almost 2 rhythm in caliber for large throngs of fascinated visitors. Progress of its blossoming was reported daily in the local press.

Another significant greenhouse constructed approx this time was the Palm House which was opened to the public in 1877; it was completely restored in 1994-95. In 1881 the Museum of Economic Botany which is now listed on the handle of the National Estate was opened to the public.


Zoological Section added to the Adelaide Botanic Garden in 1858

During Schomburgk's era, the Garden fulfilled recreational and educational functions but also provided services of considerable value to farmers. Economic harvest were introduced, such as strains of wheat, oats and sorghum; fruits and vines were tested and, if considered suitable, were distributed to growers. Trees were also propagated and distributed by the Botanic Gardens for civic plantings in and around Adelaide.

Today, the Garden specialises in scientific and educational displays of ornamental plants, both exotic and native. Collections growth from palms and endangered cycads through to culinary and medicinal herbs. Over 1.3 million group visit each year including approximately 25,000 seminary students to learn, enjoy and growth a better comprehension of the workshop cosmos and its worth to our future.