Australasia
From subtropical rainforests to dry habitats, this part of the world showcases a rich variety of flora. Plants in the Australasia Collection are native to New Zealand, the Mediterranean climate and subtropical regions of Australia, and the high elevations of the South Pacific Islands.
Australia is home to an estimated 24,000 species of native plants, many of which can survive on very little water. These plants also offer a rich habitat for all kinds of wildlife, including bats, birds, bees, and a wide variety of insects.
Regions
The northern end of the Garden’s Australasian Area represents the moderately wet, warm temperate-to-subtropical rainforests of the North Island of New Zealand and northeast Australia. The southern end of the collection is suggestive of more xeric (drier) habitats, though nearly every plant featured in this collection is tolerant of wet conditions and can survive in our heavy local clay soils. From north to south, the Australasian area’s terrain gradually changes from tall, wet forest to drier, low scrubland.
Collection Highlights
The Australasia Collection features many interesting and unusual plants from New Zealand. Evolution in the extreme geographic isolation of these islands has resulted in 75% of these plants being unique (endemic) to New Zealand. Ferns and conifers are prominent in this flora and are featured in the collection.
Banner photo: Saxon Holt