Final plant sale of the year at Gardens

Wollongong Botanic Garden Living Collections Curator James Beattie

THE Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Greenplan Nursery will stage its final plant sale of the year this Saturday.

The Garden’s Greenplan Nursery grows a wide range of ground covers, grasses, trees and shrubs that are indigenous to the Wollongong area, along with many other Australian Natives. These plants thrive in local conditions and are available to Wollongong City Council ratepayers at subsidised prices.

Council uses these plants and trees across the city in parks, gardens and public spaces.

Wollongong Botanic Garden Living Collections Curator James Beattie said the plants benefit is three-fold – they improve public spaces, help to provide shade, and enhance and support important local native biodiversity

“Wollongong Botanic Garden holds regular plant sales on the third Friday of the month throughout the year and they’re always popular with residents of our local government area looking to improve their garden,’’ Mr Beattie said.

“However, the two Saturday sales we offer during the year are always really popular and given this one is so close to Christmas I anticipate we’ll be particularly busy.

“It’s also the time when people consider buying plants as an environmentally-friendly gift – it really is a gift that will continue to give over many years to come.’’

As part of the sale Council’s qualified horticulturalists will be on site to provide advice on plant selection for gardens.

“We’ve got very knowledgeable and expert horticulturalists as part of our dedicated team and they’ll be on hand to talk with people and point them in the right direction of plants and trees that will suit their garden, including drought-tolerant options,’’ Mr Beattie said.

“Being able to seek advice is always helpful but particularly in these times where low rainfall and water restrictions are important considerations for gardeners.’’

Plant and tree species for sale on Saturday between 7.30am and 2.30pm are listed on the Wollongong Botanic Garden’s website and include Native Holly, Blue Flax lilys, Native Basil and Warrigal Greens. There will also be 25 per cent off the price of all stock.

The volunteer Friends of Wollongong Botanic Garden will also be raising funds to support future projects in the Garden with the sale of exotic species.

In 2019 Council has seen more than 900 advanced trees planted across our city as part of our Urban Greening Plan. A key part of this Plan is increasing tree canopy cover to provide shade and also offer wildlife habitat.

“Residents can also play a part in greening their city as we will have some fabulous trees and local rainforest species as part of this sale including the Water Gum, White Cedar and Cheese Tree which offer significant shade in years to come if they’re planted in the right place in private gardens.’’ Mr Beattie said.

Residents with a copy of a Council rates notice can take advantage of the Greenplan sale. Payment is by card or cheque only, and cash cannot be accepted.

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