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Welcome to Wild at Home Part 2 - A flaming beauty for your garden!
If there's one thing I love almost as much as the painting, it's plants. I just wish I had a green thumb to match that love!
I’m here with Russell Larke, Team Leader of Horticulture at the RBGV Cranbourne Gardens, today we are visiting the Raising Rarity research garden to learn more about the program, the work on the ground and spotlight one of the Russell’s favourite flowers that is only found in one location (for now).
Have you ever wondered why there are so many different types of plants worldwide? It's because, over time, plants have evolved to adapt to their environment. They thrive in their own ecosystems and sadly, when plant numbers decline in the wild, so does the genetic diversity within these populations, leading to an overall decline in species richness.
The battle to protect rare and threatened plant species is not a one-person or woman show; it requires collaboration between government organizations, botanical gardens, and industry bodies.
This project aims to create a haven for rare and threatened plants in the form of home gardens. There are currently trials being conducted by The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV), which offer an opportunity not only to allow locals to grow these species in their homes but also to contribute to ongoing conservation efforts through dedicated planting sites across our great city.
The Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species (FAME) is a force behind the scenes in helping us all conserve our native plants. They've funded this project, so RBGV can continue with it, and get some of their unique plants into your hands. Look out for the upcoming plant sale at the RBGV (Cranbourne Gardens) for your chance to get these plants from the Raising Rarity project!
Now it’s time to talk about flowers, introducing the Grevillea dimorpha (also known as the Flame Grevillea), one of Russell's favourite flowers from one of his fave places, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, Victoria.
Watch the video above!
Only found in this one location, this exquisite flower will flame up your garden with its fiery red flowers. It prefers full sun to partly shaded positions and needs free-draining soil for best performance and is frost tolerant, perfect for Victorian winters!
Want this beauty in your garden? Here's what you need to know!
I am a huge fan of grevillea's, but as an artist their beautiful yet complex forms are a real challenge. My intention is to paint each flower in this series, more details to come in the next blog post! (So exciting hehe)
With special thanks to Russell, Caitlin and Kai 💚I had an amazing day hanging out with this passionate team, thank you for everything! The gardens at Cranbourne are looking beautiful at the moment so make sure you come visit soon!
Are you a keen gardener or would just like more native around your home?
The join us for part 3 on the 18th of August 2022 where you’ll meet more people behind the Raising Rarity program
Help me raise funds for Raising Rarity by buying one of these prints!
You get a beautiful artwork and Raising Rarity get a donation, doesn't that give you all the good feels :)
Rare plants are often under threat, but not for long if you help save them! The program Raising Rarity has an innovative approach that uses horticulture to acquire knowledge about rare species. They also engage with communities to increase awareness and understanding so everyone can work together on protecting these delicate ecosystems.
You can learn more here: www.fame.org.au/projects/raising-rarity
Then there will be a new blog out every fortnight for this series.
**This is not a paid collaboration, the project was my idea, and I am volunteering my time, energy, and art
Thanks so much for following along! You support means so much, please like, comment and share with other gardening enthusiasts, nature lovers and plant lovers so they learn about this wonderful native species.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, please share your comments below or connect with me on socials.