Wittunga Botanic Garden

is a spectacular 14 hectare botanic garden devoted to the display of Australian and South African shrub and tree species.  Wittunga demonstrates the close relationship, yet contrasting features of the South African and Australian floras, while conserving vulnerable plant species.

Wittunga Botanic Garden has been open to the public since 1975, while the parent body Adelaide Botanic garden has been open since 1857.

In 1901, Edwin Ashby established Wittunga to build up a mixed farm.  He became fascinated with Australian flora and extended the garden accordingly.  He also planted a collection of South African species, principally ericas and proteas.

Photos Below by Eileen Harvey, Garden Guide, in Wittunga Botanic Garden 2010:

Edwin Ashby died in 1941 and Wittunga passed to his son, Keith Ashby, who shared his father's enthusiasm for both Australian and South African plants.

In 1965 Keith Ashby with his family's encouragement gave Wittunga to the State in the care of the Board of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide.

After Keith Ashby died in 1971 the Board assumed full responsibility for Wittunga and the garden officially opened to the public in September 1975. 

Erica Garden

At Wittunga, approximately 75 species  and cultivars are grown.  There are over 700 species of colourful heaths native to South Africa.  Ericas require a well drained soil so the beds have been raised and the soil improved by the addition of sandy loam.  Because ericas are wind-pollinated several species at Wittunga have hybridised.   Erica "Wittunga Satin", with its pearly mauve flowers, is one hybrid which has been released commercially from the garden.

Eucalypts and their close relatives

The species collection of eucalypts is Australia-wide with over 145 of the 750 known species being grown at Wittunga.  The major part of the collection is on the southern and western boundaries of the garden.

Other closely related genera are also grown including Agonis, Bottlebrush (Callistemon), Kunzea, Netbush (Calothamnus), Tea Tree (Leptospermum) and Paperbark (Melaleuca).

Photos by Eileen Harvey (Garden Guide)

Protea collection

Some highly ornamental plants belong to the family Proteaceae which is found almost entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.  They include hakeas, banksias and grevilleas from Australia and proteas, leucadendrons and leucospermums from South Africa.

Worldwide there are about 1500 species of Proteaceae in 75 genera.  Australia has about 900 species, with over 500 species occurring in Western Australia.  South Africa has approximately 400 species, most of which occur in the south-west Cape Province and a few in the Transvaal and Natal.

Flowering Calendar

Erica         September

Banksia     June-October

Melaleuca  September - October

Free Guided Walks from the car park, Shepherds Hill Rd, Blackwood

10.30 every Tuesday from the beginning of August until the end of November.

Booked walks can be arranged (a small charge per person)

Bookings phone 8226 8803

Self Guided Walk Brochure available at Wittunga BG

DiversityFromAdversityWalks

Sundays 12 & 19 September 2010

WittungaAugSepA4wPhotos

WittungaAugSepTrail   WittungaAugSepMap2010