Gardens by Design: Shaping 175 Years of the Geelong Botanic Gardens

Celebrate 175 years of the Geelong Botanic Gardens through a series of three short talks presented by former curators Ian Rogers, John Arnott and Alistair Watt, each exploring a different aspect of the Gardens’ design, history, horticulture and future.

Move through three distinctive garden spaces and hear the stories behind the places, plants and ideas that have shaped the Gardens over 175 years. Each talk runs for approximately 20 minutes.

10.45am & 12.15pm | The Fernery — Ian Rogers
Explore the rich history of the Fernery, including the discovery of Daniel Bunce’s historic herbarium, its original design and the restoration and landscape vision that shaped the Fernery today.

11.15am & 12.45pm | 21st Century Garden — John Arnott
Discover how contemporary garden design can respond to climate change, support biodiversity and create resilient landscapes, with ideas that can inspire gardening beyond the Botanic Gardens.

11.45am & 1.15pm | Pacific Rim Area — Alistair Watt
Hear stories of international plant collecting and “tree hunting”, including collecting conifers from around the world and the vital role botanic gardens play in conserving rare and threatened plants.

Presented as part of Geelong Design Week and celebrating the Gardens’ 175th anniversary, the program connects landscape design, horticulture, ecology and heritage while exploring how gardens evolve in response to changing environmental and community needs.

Register for free and join any of the talks throughout the day.