Essence of Australia Garden

Designed by Jim Fogarty for Royal Botanic Gardens. The Essence of Australia evokes the relaxed feel of Australia and Australian’s love of outdoor living as well as celebrating the beauty and diversity of the flora and landscapes of Victoria and the Northern Territory.

The overall Essence of Australia garden design takes inspiration from the Rainbow Serpent– an iconic creature from aboriginal culture which is often seen in aboriginal art and continues to be an influence today.

As visitors follow the Rainbow Serpent deck they will be inspired to envisage diverse natural attractions and landscapes including rock seams and outcrops where the endless roads delve deeper into rich aboriginal culture, red sands, and amazing array of Australian plants.

Plant List

OK to grow in the UK
Eucalyptus 'Little Boy Blue'
Eucalyptus gunnii

OK in mild locations
Chrycocephalum apiculatum
Grevillea 'Yellow Moonlight'
Poa labillardierei
Westringia fruticosa
Westringia fruticosa 'Smokey'

Severe winter protection needed
Callistemon 'Kings Park Special'
Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius
Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius 'Silver Jubilee'

Winter indoors
Agonis flexuosa
Adenanthos sericea
Alyogyne huegelii 'Santa Cruz'
Anigozanthos 'Big Red'
Anigozanthos 'Big Orange'
Anigozanthos hybrid (nana red)
Anigozanthos hybrid (nana orange)
Anigozanthos hybrid (nana dark red)
Anigozanthos hybrid (nana yellow)
Anigozanthos hybrid (nana pink)
Banksia integrifolia
Brachyscome (blue)
Callistemon (pink)
Calothamnus quadrifidus
Eremophila glabra (red flower)
Eremophila glabra 'Kalbarri Carpet'
Swainsona formosa
Syzygium  'Newport'
Ozothamnus diosmifolius 
Xanthorrhoea johnsonii