Sydney       Return to Index Page of Photos
This sabbatical travel made possible through the
generous support of the Rice Family Foundation and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.

Driving from Canberra to Sydney takes you over the Great Dividing Range of Australia.  While these mountains are small in comparison to the Rockys or Sierras, you still notice a distinct difference once you pass to the Sydney side.  The arid landscapes of Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory give way to green hillsides and heavily wooded ranges.  The rolling mountains continue to Sydney where the city sits on the shores of an immense harbor with miles of shoreline.  During our stay I was able to meet with Ian Innes, the Managing Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust of Sydney.  Mr. Innes in turn made arrangements for me to meet with:

I also met with:

Sydney and the Royal Botanic Gardens Return to Index Page of Photos

Sitting on

The Sydney Opera House

Located at the heart of the harbor, the Botanic Gardens ajoin the point where the Opera House is located.

Entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydeny

View of a portion of Sydney Harbor from our Hotel

Ian Innes (left) and Brad Monroe

My first contact in Sydney, Mr. Innes was most gracious with his time and provided me with two days of meetings and tours.

Morton Bay Fig

One of many large specimen throughout Australia

Brachychiton rupestris

Queensland Bottle Tree - Not as common in Australia or San Diego as some of the other Brachychitons

Brachychiton rupestris

Foliage.

Araucaria heterophylla

This Star Pine sets in a large lawn area with the Sydney Opera House behind it.

Strange Fruit

The "fruit" hanging on this tree are some of the over 8000 fruit bats that inhabit the garden.

Nightime Migration

Here are some of the bats leaving their daytime perch for a 40 km flight to their feeding grounds west of Sydney.

Erythrina latissima

An Erythrina called the Cork Tree for its rough bark.

Erythrina latissima

Bark of the Cork Tree

Lophostemon confertus

Brisbane Box, or as the locals call it - Bush Box.

The Opera House

From several vistas in the gardens the Sydney Opera House provides dramatic backdrop.

Morton Bay Fig

The enormous trunk dwarfs the garden visitor.

Tibouchina granulosa

My first encounter with what would many spectacular Tibouchinas. There will be even more spectacular specimen in the secion on Brisbane.

Tibouchina granulosa

Large specimen like this are periodically pruned back severly to promote new, less leggy, growth.

Alpine Nursery Return to Index Page of Photos

This was one of several wholesale nurseries in the area that include consignment sales from other specialty growers. Alpine Nursery has 100 growers in addition to their own product in the "Market" area. Alpine sells the other growers product for a 20% fee. The "Market" area includes both their product as well.  While Alpine has been using the "market" approach for a relatively short period Marc Patterson, General Manager, reports increased sales of their product as well as increased profits.  The "Market" provides customers with a one-stop location where a far wider selection of product is available.

Alpine Nursery - Wholesale

Entrance to the Market

Brad Monroe and Marc Patterson

Marc Patterson is the general manager of Alpine Nursery.

Abelia schumannii

A cultivar of Abelia with a height of about 5 ft.

Tibouchina 'Jazzie'

This is one of many Tibouchinas used in the trade in Australia.

Tibouchina 'Jazzie'

Foliage

Tibouchina 'Jazzie'

Equivalent to our one gallon size.

A portion of the Market area of Alpine Nursery.

The "Market" area is a portion of Alpine's nursery dedicated to selling plants from over 100 other nurseries, on a commission basis, in addition to their own plant material.

Grevillea 'Coconut Ice'

This grevillea grows to 3 to 5-1/2 feet and tolerates full sun and part shade.

Grevillea 'Coconut Ice'

Foliage

Grevillea 'Banksii Forsterii'

This Red Silky Oak will grow to 10 feet by 6 feet in full sun or partial shade.

Grevillea 'Banksii Forsterii'

Foliage

Grevillea 'Banksii Forsterii'

Eucapyptus 'Summer Beauty'

This Eucalyptus grows to 15 to 20 feet with a 10 foot spread.

Eucapyptus 'Summer Beauty'

Eucapyptus 'Summer Beauty'

Container Stabilization

This wire method of stabilizing small containers was used in several nurseries.

"Bag" containers

These containers are a fabric bag with 4 handles and would be the equivalent of our 15 gallon containers. They were watered here with a drip/micro spray system.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Pygmaea'

This evergreen stays under 2 feet by 2 feet in size.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Pygmaea'

Buckinghamia celsissima

The Ivory Curl shown here will grow to about 30 feet and is covered in these stalks of flowers in the late summer & fall.

Buckinghamia celsissima

Foliage

Buckinghamia celsissima

Alpine Nursery

Staff stocking a portion of the nursery.

Akebia x quinata

Flowers of this vine hang in clusters.

Akebia x quinata

Barleria 'Purple Gem'

This full sun to part shade shrub grows to about 3 feet.

Barleria 'Purple Gem'

Austromyrtus inophloia

The Blushing Beauty will grow to about 3 to 5 feet in full to partial sun.

Austromyrtus inophloia

Chili Bell

Trained as a patio standard, the fruit provided an interesting focal point.

Chili Bell

 

 

Woollahra Municipal Council Return to Index Page of Photos