HomeArticles by: FRBGM

Author: FRBGM

Spring Plant Sale

by FRBGM

Our plant sales are hugely popular and the next sale is coming up soon on Saturday 21 October and Sunday 22 October.

Our plants are mainly sourced from the Royal Botanic Gardens and many are not commonly available. We offer plants in the following categories: Australian Natives,  Climbers, Bulbs & Rhizomes, Camellias, Herbs, Perennials, Hanging Baskets, Shrubs, Succulents, Trees, Bromeliads, Orchids and Rhododendrons & Vireyas.

Advice is also available at the sale from our members and from RBGV Horticultrual staff who will happily answer questions on the day.

For more information on these and other plants on offer, please refer to our catalogue.

20% discount on the full price is offered to Friends of RBG Melbourne on presentation of your membership card.

You will find the plant sale inside Southern Gate (formerly Known as Gate E), Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Free entry

Catalogue

Trust Fund Appeal

by FRBGM

The vision of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne is of a flourishing and healthy planet, sustained and enriched by plants. The natural environment has never needed our support more than at present. We invite you to donate today to the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Annual Trust Fund Appeal to enable us to continue to support the Gardens and the National Herbarium Melbourne and their important work in conservation, sustainability and preservation and renewal of this world class Gardens. Last year’s appeal raised $50,000, which was a record we would love to attain once again this year. All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.

If you need assistance with your support or would like to know more regarding the Friends or the Trust Fund, please call Suzy Chandler, Office Manager on 96506398.

Donate today

FRIENDS’ 40th ANNIVERSARY GIN

by FRBGM

FRIENDS' 40th ANNIVERSARY GIN

As the Friends head into the final months of our 40th anniversary, we have reflected on our history and have discovered many reasons to raise our glasses in good cheer.  In order to mark this milestone, we have partnered with Big Tree Gin Distillery to create our very own commemorative grapefruit, olive leaf and rosemary flavoured gin, presented in stunning etched glass bottles designed and painted by our botanic art teacher David Reynolds, harkening to the paintings of the Friends’ botanical illustrators. 

The gin makes a perfect gift for your gin loving friends.   And the bottle makes a beautiful display or vase after the gin has been enjoyed. 


Autumn Plant Sale

by FRBGM
Autumn Plant Sale

Saturday 29 April, 10am to 4pm

Sunday 30 April, 10am to 3pm

Our plants are mainly sourced from the Royal Botanic Gardens and many are not commonly available. We offer plants in the following categories: Australian Natives,  Climbers, Bulbs & Rhizomes, Camellias, Herbs, Perennials, Hanging Baskets, Shrubs , Succulents, Trees, Bromeliads, Orchids and Rhododendrons & Vireyas.

Advice is also available at the sale from our members and from RBGV Horticultrual staff who will happily answer questions on the day.

20% discount on the full price is offered to Friends of RBG Melbourne on production of your membership card.

Inside Southern Gate (formerly Known as Gate E)

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Free entry

Plant Sale Catalogue

For more information on these and other plants on offer have a look to our catalogue.

Plant sale catalogue

Christmas Raffle Winners

by FRBGM

Raffle winners

Our 2022 Christmas Raffle Results

We are delighted to announce the winners of the Friends’ 2022 Christmas Raffle that was drawn Monday at the Christmas Party at Plant Craft Cottage by Lynsey Poore.   Our congratulations to:

Botanica World Discoveries 6-Day Canberra Floriade & NSW Gardens Tour
Valued at $5,990 and kindly donated by Botanica World Discoveries
Claire Hill
Ticket Number: #224

Friends’ Council Mixed Wines
Kindly donated by the Friends’ Council members
Yvonne Griffiths
Ticket Number: #130

Friends’ Gin Hamper
Kindly donated by the Friends’ Council members
John Steven
Ticket Number: #589

Framed ‘Yellow Robins’ by Di Koenders
Kindly donated by a generous donor
Claire Horton
Ticket Number: #14

Framed ‘Corymbia citriodora’ by Alwynne Fairweather
Kindly donated by a generous donor
Monika Strasser
Ticket Number: #1

Elizabeth Bradley Embroidery kit ‘Staghorn’
Kindly donated by the Trinca family
Georgina Ponce de Leon
Ticket Number: #573

Gardens Book Pack #1
Kindly donated by the Steven family
Jenny Brown
Ticket Number: #375

Witchery Wheat Raffia Tote Bag
Kindly donated by a generous donor
Deb & Barry Collett
Ticket Number: #390

Puzzle Pack
Valued at $130 and donated by generous donors
Marzena Walicka
Ticket Number: #550

Gardens Book Pack #2
Kindly donated by generous donors
Mrs Hughes
Ticket Number: #206

Gardening Goodness Hamper
Kindly donated by the Steven family
Catherine Trinca
Ticket Number: #184

Gardens Book Pack #3
Kindly donated by a generous donor
Catriona Prictor
Ticket Number: #424

Provincial Home Living Mudan Green Plate
Kindly donated by a generous donor
Deb & Barry Collett
Ticket Number: #385

The Acacia Project book and tea towel pack
Kindly donated by the Friends’ Office
Ivanka Canet
Ticket Number: #540

Heartfelt thanks from the Friends for everyone’s support of the Raffle. We are so appreciative and grateful to everyone who purchased tickets or donated prizes. Our community’s collective generosity raised a fantastic total of just under $5,000.

We are indebted to our major Sponsor, Botanica World Discoveries, for their generous donation of First Prize. We are hoping to offer our members the chance to enjoy some wonderful garden tours next year, run by Botanica. Our 2018 Singapore Gardens Tour was a fabulous highlight for those that joined in. We can’t wait to bring you irresistible gardening adventures with Botanica once again. Watch this space!!

TABI RAFFLE WINNERS

by FRBGM

2022 TABI RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS

  1. Sin Eater Potion Black Bag and scarf

Deb C, Brighton

  1. Matilda Restaurant Dining Voucher

Susan D, East Melbourne

  1. Framed print, Simon Deere

Ellen W, South Yarra

  1. Mecca ‘Kit’ Hamper

Rhonda L, Knoxfield

  1. Cruden Farm Voucher and Botanical Books

Robyn L, Anglesea

  1. Angus and Celeste Plates

Katya F, Caulfield

  1. Botanical illustration books

Linda C, Prahran

  1. 40th Anniversary Gin Hamper

Kay M, Rosanna

  1. Unframed print, Dianne Emery

Meryl P, Richmond

  1. Unframed Japanese prints x 5

Jenny B

  1. RBGV Melbourne Shop and Sharmill Films latest release

Ingrid M, Mont Albert   

  1. Flowers Vasette Voucher

Anne S, Camberwell

  1. Anthurium pot plant

Sandy Q, Brighton  

About the Art of Botanical Illustration Exhibition

by FRBGM

The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year with an exhibition of exquisite botanical art and the launch of a bespoke botanical gin.

The celebrations kick off with Australia’s leading botanical art exhibition, The Art of Botanical Illustration, from 17 September to 2 October. The exhibition is at Domain House Gallery and online as a virtual exhibition for a global audience.

The selected exhibition attracts local and international artists who capture the beauty of nature in minute detail, including rare and endangered species.

Doryanthes palmeri –  Angela Lober

Hakea cucullata – Janet Matthews

Botanical illustration is an exacting art form that combines art and science. It can create beauty, promote ecological awareness, and educate and communicate the importance of plants in our world. For many artists, it is a meditative process that supports personal wellbeing.

Grevillea rosmarinifolia –  Lioudmila Volodina

This year’s exhibition is forming part of the cultural program of the 7th Global Botanic Gardens Congress being held in Melbourne in September and is hosting a virtual exhibition of artworks from a group of European botanical artists linked to gardens represented at the Congress.

In September the Friends are launching an anniversary gin specially distilled by Big Tree Distillery in the Macedon Ranges with a stunning label by David Reynolds, watercolour artist and botanical art teacher with the Friends’ Botanic Art Program.

We welcome you to join our celebrations and visit The Art of Botanical Illustration Exhibition

  • 10am to 4pm daily, entry by gold coin donation
  • Domain House Gallery: Dallas Brooks Drive off Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
  • Online, The Art of Botanical Illustration can be viewed at : The Art of Botanical Illustration
  • All artworks are for sale
  • Profits assist the Friends to support the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne and National Herbarium of Victoria

The Art of Botanical Illustration Exhibition is generously sponsored by:

Where to Find The Art of Botanical Illustration Exhibition

by FRBGM

The Friends of The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne are hosting Australia’s leading botanical art exhibition, The Art of Botanical Illustration, from 17 September to 2 October 2022. 

This biennial exhibition attracts submissions of exquisite artworks from local and international botanical artists.  Work selected for the exhibition are botanically accurate and aesthetically pleasing

Hakea cucullata – Janet Matthews

These beautiful and intricate artworks can be viewed in Domain House Gallery, Melbourne and online as a virtual exhibition. All artworks are for sale and profits assist the Friends in supporting Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium of Victoria.

A highlight of the Friends’ 40th anniversary celebrations this year, the exhibition is also part of the cultural program of the 7th Global Botanic Gardens Congress hosted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in September.

 

The Art of Botanical Illustration Exhibition 

10.00 am – 4.00 PM daily

17 September to 2 October 2022

Domain House, Dallas Brooks Drive, Melbourne

Entry by gold coin donation

The Art of Botanical Illustration Exhibition is generously sponsored by:

Plant Craft Cottage – Open House Melbourne

by FRBGM

Plant Craft Cottage

For the first time in over two years the Open House Melbourne Weekend will be happening live at the venues.

 The Plant Craft Cottage will be opening all weekend for the Open House Melbourne weekend, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 10am to 2pm.

This historic cottage was built in 1851 and added onto around 1903 was used as accommodation for under gardeners and gatekeepers at the Botanic Gardens. In 1981 it opened as the Plant Craft Cottage with groups involved in Natural Dye, Basketry, Pot Pourri, Fibre, Paper Making and Plant Cards. Surrounded by a gorgeous cottage garden maintained by volunteers this cottage is a delight to visit, located just in from H Gate.

To find more about Open House Melbourne weekend, click here.

Saturday 30 + Sunday 31 July, from 10.30am to 2.45pm
Bookings not required