George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
Collections
Three general collection categories for the Gardens are North Australian Communities, Special Collections and Amenity Horticulture.
North Australian Communities
- Native Mangrove and Strand species occur naturally on the coastal portion of the Gardens and have been developed with selective plantings.
- Remnant Monsoon Vine thicket plants are common along the base of the plateau.
- A grouping of Tiwi island wet forest plantings can be be found in one of the gullies.
- Plants found on the Arnhem Land escarpment are being raised and planted along the plateau slopes.
- Woodland and Open forest species can be found in the flat plain area in the northern sector of the Gardens.
Special collections
- Many of the older plants that have survived decades of cyclones are now formally gazetted as part of a heritage place.
- A varied collection of some 800 inividual plants representing Australian and exotic cycads from around the world are being grown at the Gardens.
- A little over a hectare of land is being landscaped to display these cycads for the purpose of education, horticulture and conservation.
- There are eight species of Adansonia or the Baobab tree worldwide. The Gardens have a full collection of these magnificent trees.
- In the Plant Display House are tropical plants such as ferns, small palms, orchids, begonias, carnivorous, episcias, aroids and bromeliads.
- The Gardens have approximately 450 species of palms.
- A remarkable and striking collection of tropical gingers and heliconias are scattered throughout, creating bright coloured features amongst the general backdrop of green foliage.
Amenity Horticulture
Large areas of the Gardens have been landscaped with lawn and open space. The Gardens is used frequently for community events and functions. Barbecue facilities, shady areas with tables and benches and a world class children's playground make the Gardens a popular place for family activities.
