Residents are being encouraged to branch out and explore the more than 10,000 trees and shrubs at the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens in the month of May.
While the gardens provide enjoyment all year-round, this month marks the annual, nation-wide Botanic Gardens Day event.
Each year Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand commemorates the role botanic gardens play within each community, with more than 100 locations taking part in the month-long celebrations.
As part of the event residents can take participate in the #plantloverschallenge by posting a photo or 30 second video to Facebook about what plants mean to them and how plants influence their life.
Bundaberg Regional Council's Parks and Gardens portfolio spokesperson Cr Wayne Honor said the community could also commemorate the day by visiting the local gardens to explore all that was on offer during the month of May.
“Botanic Gardens Day highlights the role plants play in our lives and the important work botanic gardens do to preserve plant species,” he said.
“If you take a casual stroll around the beautiful Bundaberg Botanic Gardens you will find more than 10,000 trees and shrubs across 27 hectares of land.
“These species grow in a range of areas including the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Rare Fruit Tree Orchard, Bromeliad Garden, Fern Garden, Australian Rainforest and much more.”
Cr Honor said as winter neared, the gardens would come alive with an interesting array of species.
“During our cooler months the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens Ylang Ylang, situated just near the train station, bursts to life with its clusters of dark fruit,” he said.
“In the Rare Fruit Tree Orchard you can sample the ripe orange red fruit of the peanut butter tree, Bunchosia glandulifera, which has a sweet flesh that tastes similar to peanut butter.
“At this time of year you can also witness the plumed ducks who enjoy gathering at the gardens, with large groups often seen on the banks of the lake.”
Plan your trip to Bundaberg Botanic Gardens in May
To help plan your trip to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, Cr Honor said Council had recently launched an online story map featuring a wide range of information.
“Visitors to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens website will be able to view images of each of the 15 plant collections in the gardens as well as the various tourist attractions and café,” he said.
“Information on each facility and a map showing the location of the facility is also available to provide easy planning for prospective visitors.”
Find out more here.
