Melbourne , Victoria, Australia — Oceania
The Arid Garden
| | Royal Botanic Gardens - Melbourne | |
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, March 30, 2026
1. The Arid Garden Marker
This Arid Garden, which includes the Field Collection, is part of the Cacti and Succulent Collection of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
In 2020, the former 1945 Arid Garden was redesigned and the 1880s Tecoma Pavilion was restored. Both of these projects were made possible with the generous support of Joan Darling.
(Photo 1) Above left and background: Tecoma Pavilion (1890) shortly after construction. It was named after the delicate pink-flowered vine that once covered its roof - Tecoma mackenni (now Podranea ricasoliana). (State Botanical Collection, Royal Botantic Gardens Victoria.)
(Photo 2) Above right: The former Arid Garden, 1940s.
The Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia also assisted with the creation of the new Arid Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 37° 49.905′ S, 144° 58.996′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It can be reached from Anderson Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Melbourne VIC 3004,
this page online
Regionally, it is in Oceania, Australasia, the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, the Pacific Rim, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Design Inspiration (a few steps from this marker); The Blossfeld Expedition (a few steps from this marker); The Field Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); A prickly problem (within shouting distance of this marker); A new view of Melbourne (within shouting distance of this marker); A Grand Design (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Resurrecting a volcano - Guilfoyle's Volcano (about 90 meters away); Domain Road Gate (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.
Also see . . . Cacti and Succulent Page at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Website.
Notes from the Curator(Submitted on March 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
My first encounter with the Arid Garden was back in 1995. I was studying visual arts at Ballarat University and had visited the Botanic Gardens while on a fieldtrip to the National Gallery. I can clearly remember walking into the Arid garden and being blown away by these incredibly strange, almost alien plants. Obviously visual arts did not work out and I have now been curating the Arid collection for close to 20 years. I love the unique adaptions these plants have developed in order to survive in such harsh conditions.Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, March 30, 20262. The Arid Garden Marker at the entrance to the Garden
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
