Dunedin woos major world botanical event
04 Aug 2010
Hundreds of the world’s top botanists, horticulturists and conservationists could converge on Dunedin in 2013, if a bid to stage a major international conference in New Zealand’s southern city is successful.
Dunedin is one of two cities in line to stage the Botanic Gardens Conservation International Conference, which would attract up to 500 experts and inject up to NZ$2.9m into the local economy.
The conference would coincide with the Dunedin Botanic Garden’s 150th anniversary, also due to be held in 2013.
Dunedin city’s bid
The Dunedin Botanic Garden’s forthcoming anniversary formed part of Dunedin’s bid to host the major conference and has apparently added weight to the city’s bid.
Dunedin City Council botanic garden and cemeteries team leader Alan Matchett travelled to Dublin last month to attend the fourth Botanic Gardens Conservation conference and pitch to host the fifth.
He said it appeared Dunedin had the backing of delegates at the Dublin conference and was currently favoured over the other contender - a "major destination" near the equator which he was not allowed to name.
Matchett said other garden curators and managers at the Dublin conference were very supportive and he hoped the chances were 70 / 30 in Dunedin’s favour.
Promoting Dunedin
The focus of the Dunedin conference would be around the city’s Botanic garden but organisers would try to maximise any opportunity to promote Dunedin and all gardens in the region, said Matchett.
The conference was likely to lure experts from across Africa, Asia, parts of Europe and the South Pacific. A large contingent would also be expected to come from across the Tasman, said Matchett.
"One thing New Zealand does have in its advantage ... it's definitely a place of interest because of our botanic garden."
Dunedin Botanic Garden
The Dunedin Botanic Garden is New Zealand’s oldest. It was established in 1863 on a site surrounding the Water of Leith which is now occupied by the University of Otago.
After extensive flooding in 1868, the gardens were moved to their current site at the northern end of central Dunedin, just two kilometres from the Octagon - in Dunedin’s central city - and near one of the city’s most historic cemeteries.
There are two parts to the gardens - an upper and lower section which cover part of Signal Hill and the river plain below.
Extending over 28 hectares, there are more than 6,800 plant species and a variety of special features incorporated in the more formal lower gardens rising up to hillside native forest.
The gardens feature a large number of rhododendron species which date back to the early days of establishment.
Lower gardens
An Edwardian winter garden glasshouse in the lower garden contains tropical and sub-tropical plants as well as cacti and succulents. The herb garden, also in the lower section, provides an extensive array of scents and textures as well as information on herb use.
The lower gardens also feature a duck pond, band rotunda and Japanese garden which is linked with Dunedin’s sister city of Otaru in Japan.
Formal rose and camellia gardens complete the lower garden, bordered by one of the largest rock gardens in the world which rambles along the edges of Lindsay Creek - a small tributary of Leith stream.
Upper gardens
Crossing the creek, well formed paths lead to the native plant sections that include endangered plants, alpine and wetland plants, as well as native forest species.
A collection of weaving flaxes is of particular interest. Adjacent to the native plants section in the upper garden, the geographic collection has plants from Africa, America, Asia and Australia.
A winding public road splits the upper gardens and is rimmed by bush walks. As well as the African garden, wetlands and small aviary, the upper gardens also feature the rhododendron dell which hosts a special festival every October.
After extensive development in the early 20th century the gardens now form part of Dunedin’s Town Belt - a green section that surrounds the inner city.
Garden of Significance
In July 2010 the Dunedin Botanic Gardens were named as a "garden of international significance" by the New Zealand Gardens Trust, becoming one of only five gardens to be awarded the honour.
The only other South Island garden with the ranking is Larnach Castle, just outside Dunedin. The others are three privately-owned North Island gardens - Richmond in the Wairarapa, Te Kainga Marire in New Plymouth, and Ayrlies Gardens in Auckland.
The Trust’s top-tier international category is designed to recognise New Zealand’s most outstanding gardens, and the Dunedin Botanic Garden
gained points for horticultural expertise, design and flow.
Dunedin features strongly in Trust awards with Larnach Castle’s garden, the Dunedin Botanic Garden, the Glenfalloch Woodland Garden on the Otago Peninsula, and the Wylde Willow garden in nearby Abbotsford all declared gardens of national significance in the past.
Dunedin and environs
If Dunedin was successful in securing the right to host the international conference, attendees would also have the chance to enjoy many other city and regional attractions during pre- and post-conference tours, said Matchett.
"A lot of people just don't know what's here. I think they will be in for a bit of a surprise," he said.
Dunedin won’t know the outcome of their bid until the international conference organising committee meets in September.
More information
Dunedin - Coastal Otago
NZ gardens of international significance
Dunedin opens authentic Chinese garden
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