Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens

Did you know that Botanica 2025 will showcase an incredible variety of artistic mediums? From watercolour to linocut, scratchboard to ceramics, you will discover it all on display in the Garden Gallery. Here's a sneak peek of some of the marvellous styles you can see: 🌺Rachel Newling Rachel Newling - Artist - Firewheel tree with whipbird (linocut) 🌺Franca Turrin @franca_turrin - Waratah (photography) 🌺Harlinah Teoh Harlinah Teoh - Drylander’s Grevillea (ceramics) 🌺Lisa Shepard Lisa Shepherd Floral Artist - Passion Flower (cyanotype) 🌺Angela Lober @angelaloberartist - Fig (scratchboard) Nature isn’t always what it seems — discover the hidden illusions of the botanical world at Botanica: The Art of Disguise & Deception. 📅 5 – 21 April 2025 📍 The Garden Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney 🎟️ Entry by donation 🌱 All works for sale — supporting the Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens. 20% of the income that Foundation & Friends make from Botanica goes towards supporting the Education Access Program run by Botanic Gardens of Sydney. This program gives eligible schools the opportunity to participate in educational excursions to the three Botanic Gardens - for free! Find out more info here: https://lnkd.in/guaUyNKi #foundationandfriends #botanicgardens #botanicalartexhibitionsydney #botanicalart #whatsonsydney

Meet one of our Botanica 2025 artists, Anna Voytsekhovich, a professional botanical artist, Scientist, Botanist and bush regenerator. You may recognise her incredible artwork, titled Captain Red Beard, on the cover of this seasons The Gardens magazine. This funny looking face is called Calochilus campestris, an Australian native orchid. Though tiny in real life (less than 3 cm!), its unusual details have been enlarged in Anna’s artwork. A true trickster of the plant world, this orchid lures male wasps by mimicking a female — leading to accidental pollination! Natures got some clever moves. :disguised_face:Come and check out this and other incredible artworks at Botanica: The Art of Disguise and Deception. 5 – 21 April 2025 - The Garden Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - admission_tickets: Entry by donation - All works for sale — supporting the Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens. Find out more info via the link in our bio. #foundationandfriends #botanicgardens #botanicalartexhibitionsydney #botanicalart #whatsonsydney Botanic Gardens of Sydney

At Growing Friends Plant Sales, we are on a mission to raise $100 000 to showcase the rare and exotic Camellia collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney. Thanks to YOU, we’ve hit our first milestone — $10,000 raised. 🎉 This means we’re one step closer. Our Head of Philanthropy, Louise Claridge launched our Fernmometer today. But we’re just getting started! Help us keep the momentum going and keep buying plants at Growing Friends Plant Sales. Every purchase brings us closer to making this dream a reality. Royal Botanic Gardens Mon - Fri: 11am - 2pm Sat - Sun: 10am - 2pm Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan Daily: 9.30am - 4pm #foundationandfriends #botanicgardenssydney #camelliagardenfundraiser #shopwithpurpose #fernometer #growingfriendsplantsales

We want to hear from you! Our Supporter Survey closes tomorrow, Thurssday 13 March. Don't forget to share your thoughts go in the draw to win a $250 Growing Friends voucher. Your feedback will help guide how we grow and improve how we support you. Complete our survey here: https://lnkd.in/geD-EM98 Prefer to remain anonymous? Click here: https://lnkd.in/gSXPz75i (Please note: anonymous submissions won’t be eligible for the prize draw). #foundationandfriends #botanicgardenssydney

🌷 Last week we had a fabulous and plant filled evening celebrating Plantology: The Essential Guide to Better Gardens. 🌷 Last Thursday evening, guests were treated to some gems from Teena Crawford and Lisa Ellis, about how Plantology came about, and why they ended up starting their own publishing company, barometerbooks. Followed by an insightful discussion with a fantastic line up of panelists - Jane Stark, Myles Baldwin (@mylesbaldwindesign), Nicola Cameron (pepo.botanic.design) and Matthew Cantwell (@secretgardens_au). From the stories behind Plantology to design tips, and the ultimate debate: flowers or foliage, it was a night full of a shared love for all things green. Thanks to Barometer Books for their support - and to everyone who took home a signed copy of Plantology. We were so happy to share what Foundation & Friends is all about with new supporters. It was the passion and enthusiasm of everyone who attended that truly made the evening so great. We’re already looking forward to more events like this, bringing together plant lovers and design enthusiasts to share knowledge, passion, and inspiration. #foundationandfriends #botanicgardenssydney #plantology #gardendesign #landscapedesign

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unique and fun guided walk, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney. Led by horticulturalist and historian, Paul Nicholson, we explored the fascinating ways plants have embraced diversity for millions of years. From the captivating Cactus Garden to the thought-provoking insights shared throughout the walk, it was an evening of learning, connection, and inspiration. We are so grateful for the enthusiasm and curiosity of all who attended. It was a reminder of how the natural world reflects the importance of diversity and resilience. Happy Mardi Gras to all—let’s continue celebrating both nature’s and our own vibrant diversity! We have a variety of talks, walks, and exhibitions coming up throughout the year. If you want to get involved and attend any of our events, you can view them all here: https://lnkd.in/gMi9csJs #QueerPlants #MardiGras #BotanicGardensSydney

Dear Friends, Your experience at Foundation & Friends is invaluable, and by taking our Customer Survey, you’ll help shape the future of our programs, events, and community initiatives. Your voice matters – tell us what you love, what we can improve, and how we can make your experience even better. Complete our survey here: https://lnkd.in/geD-EM98 Prefer to remain anonymous? Click here to fill out the survey anonymously. (Please note: anonymous submissions won’t be eligible for the prize draw). https://lnkd.in/gSXPz75i Your feedback will guide how we grow together and ensure that we’re supporting you in the best way possible. Thank you for being part of our community – your feedback helps us grow, just like the gardens we cherish. Win a $250 Growing Friends plant sales voucher! Update your contact details and complete the survey by 13 March to be entered into our exclusive draw. That’s $250 to grow your plant collection with rare and beautiful finds.

Join renowned horticulturists Teena Crawford and Lisa Ellis as they showcase their new book, Plantology: The Essential Guide to Better Gardens at Botanic Gardens of Sydney in March. With over 60 years of combined expertise, they'll share insights from their five-year journey creating this essential guide. 📅 Thursday 6th March ⏰ 5.30 – 7pm 📍 Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney What you’ll enjoy: 🌿 A captivating panel discussion, ‘For the Love of Plants’, featuring top Australian landscape architects: - Jane Stark stark design pty ltd interiors + exteriors - Nicola Cameron Pepo Botanic Design - Matthew Cantwell Secret Gardens - Myles Baldwin Myles Baldwin Design 🌿 20% off Plantology, available only at the event (thank you, Lisa and Teena and the team at Barometer Books!). Don’t miss this evening in the Gardens dedicated to the love of plants. Treat your loved one (or yourself!) to an evening celebrating the beauty of gardening and design. You can buy your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gra54zQS Credits: Plantology by Lisa Ellis and Teena Crawford, Stark Design, photo by Brigid Arnott, Pepo Botanic Design, photo by Nick Bower, Secret Gardens, photo by Nicholas Watt, Myles Baldwin Design, photo by Prue Ruscoe #foundationandfriends #botanicsydney #sydneyevents #whatsonsydney #marchevents #gardeningeventssydney

After 17 years of dedicated leadership, Raoul de Ferranti is stepping back from his role as General Coordinator of Growing Friends. With a background in science and a deep love for the natural world, Raoul’s passion and hands-on approach have been invaluable in shaping and maintaining the Growing Friends nursery. While he is transitioning out of a leadership role, Raoul will remain an active part of the Growing Friends community. This change will allow him to spend more time with his beautiful new twin grandchildren, Aurelia and Sebastian, as well as pursue his passions, including sailing and regenerating his stunning property on the South Coast. Stepping into the role of General Coordinator in 2025 is Liz Jeavons-Fellows. Liz has already begun meeting with each Growing Friends team to understand their unique practices, perspectives, and ideas. We warmly welcome Liz to this vital role! We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Peter van Roekel for his instrumental work in developing and maintaining the Growing Friends database. Margaret Hanks, a founding member of Growing Friends and a former Botanic Gardens of Sydney staff member, is retiring after celebrating her 90th birthday. Her contributions have been pivotal in establishing Growing Friends. Carol Griesser, Growing Friends Coordinator at Mount Annan, is stepping back from leadership after more than 20 years. While she will no longer lead day-to-day operations, she will continue mentoring the next generation of leaders. Lastly, we wish to thank Ann Rasmussen for her many years of incredible energy, diligence and passion in volunteering with us for nearly 30 years, including her involvement with the Information Booth since its inception and her many years as co-ordinator of this invaluable Foundation & Friends fixture. Thank you to these incredible individuals for their dedication and contributions.

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news tonight – another Amorphophallus titanum is blooming at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney! This time, Stink will remain behind the scenes in the nursery, where we can perfect the conditions for our vital conservation efforts. Stay tuned for updates over the next 24 hours, right here and on YouTube. This bloom is going to be a bit different... #Stink #Amorphophallus #corpseflower https://lnkd.in/gpzaeVvz