Myall Park Botanic Garden facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Myall Park Botanic Garden
Myall Park Botanic Garden glasshouse, 2012
Location	Myall Park Road, Glenmorgan, Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1940s - 1960s (post-World War II)
Built	1950s (nursery buildings)
Architect	Alfred Gray

Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Myall Park Botanic Garden
Type	state heritage (built, landscape)
Designated	9 November 2012
Reference no.	602805
Significant period	1940s onwards
Builders	Harry Howe

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The Myall Park Botanic Garden is a special garden in Glenmorgan, Australia. It's famous for growing only Australian native plants. This amazing garden was started by David Gordon in 1941 and is now a heritage-listed site. It's a great place to learn about Australia's unique plants and see how one person's passion can create something wonderful.

Discovering the Garden's Roots

The Myall Park Botanic Garden was created by David Gordon (1899-2001). He was born in 1899 and moved to Queensland's Western Downs region with his family in 1910. His family settled on land that was heavily covered by a plant called prickly pear cactus. This cactus was a big problem in Queensland, taking over farmland. The government offered special land leases to encourage people to clear it.

From a young age, David Gordon loved Australian plants. His father also enjoyed plants, and by age seven, David was helping to collect seeds and grow native trees. When he was 15, his father passed away, and his brother went to fight in World War I. David then became responsible for the family farm. Even with these duties, he kept reading about native plants, collecting seeds, and trying to grow them.

In the late 1920s, the Gordon family bought Myall Park. David worked hard to improve the property for wool production. In 1940, a house was moved and made bigger on the property. Buildings for seasonal workers, like shearers, were also built.

Why Myall Park Was Perfect for Plants

David Gordon dreamed of creating a large garden of native plants. He chose a spot on the property that wasn't good for grazing animals but was perfect for the dry-climate plants he loved. This area had good drainage, wasn't too humid, had access to water, and offered different types of soil. David also wanted to grow certain inland plants to help save them, as they were disappearing in their natural homes due to land clearing and grazing.

By 1933, the prickly pear problem was solved by introducing the cactoblastis moth. Wool prices also got better. With a new railway line reaching Glenmorgan in 1931, David could finally spend more time on his garden. In 1941, the first plants were put in the ground, including needlewood, scarlet bottlebrush, silver cassia, and different types of Acacia and Eucalypt trees.

Connecting with Plant Experts

David's interest in plants led him to connect with other plant lovers across Australia. He shared plant samples and wrote to the Queensland Herbarium. He also bought many of his first plants and seeds from Nindethana, one of Australia's first nurseries dedicated to native plants, run by George Althofer in New South Wales.

Myall Park Botanic Garden was a serious project from the start. It was one of the first large gardens in Queensland to focus only on native plants. Other gardens like Laurel Park Bank in Toowoomba and Anderson Park in Townsville also existed, but Myall Park was unique in its focus on inland native species.

Growing the Garden in the 1950s

The 1950s were a key time for Myall Park. Wool prices went up, allowing David to invest more time and money into the garden. He had an overseer manage the farm, freeing him up. An overseer's house, called Avochie Cottage, was built. About 128 hectares (about 316 acres) were fenced off to protect the garden from livestock. While much of this area was cleared for planting, some existing native bushland was kept to give the garden a natural feel.

In 1952, David married Dorothy Gemmell. Dorothy loved Australian plants too and strongly supported the garden. She helped with letters, created flower displays, and guided visitors. She was also an artist, and the garden inspired her beautiful botanical watercolours. Her art helped bring attention to the garden's beauty.

Expert Help for the Plants

In 1951, David hired Len Miller, an English plant expert. Miller helped plant and record 1000 new plants. He also collected plants and seeds from different parts of Australia, including New South Wales and Victoria. Later, he traveled to Western Australia, collecting over 700 plant samples and 500 seed types. This collection became a big part of the Myall Park plant library (herbarium).

Alfred (Alf) Gray took over from Len Miller in 1954. Gray was a highly respected expert in growing plants from seeds, especially for dry lands. At Myall Park, Gray focused on raising seeds, while David Gordon handled the planting and watering. Gray also designed the garden's nursery buildings.

The nursery included a timber building with a potting room and a seed storage room. A glasshouse (misting room) was added later. The seed room had special silky oak drawers to keep seeds safe from pests. Everything was carefully recorded, including where seeds came from and how well plants grew. A large room was also added to the Gordon family home for Dorothy's art and to store plant samples.

In 1952, a section of Myall Creek was dammed to create a lake for water supply. This was done by Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who later became the Premier of Queensland. David filled the lake with native waterlilies. An irrigation system was also installed to help new plants grow and to water the garden during dry times.

Alf Gray also went on collecting trips for David Gordon, gathering seeds and information on over 1000 species. By the time Gray left in 1957, he had made a huge impact on the garden. Many of the plants in the garden today came from seeds collected by Gray and Miller.

A Garden of Innovation and Recognition

The Myall Park Garden used special methods to help plants grow, including unique soil mixes and planting beds. David Gordon planted plants in groups, like his father taught him, rather than in straight lines. This method also helped create new plant types.

The Famous Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'

In 1963, a new type of Grevillea plant appeared in the garden. It was a natural hybrid, meaning it was a mix of two different Grevillea plants. This new plant had low-growing features, bright flame-colored flowers, flowered all year, and attracted birds. It was perfect for gardeners!

David Gordon named this new plant Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' after his eldest daughter, who sadly passed away at 16. He freely shared this plant with nurseries, and it quickly became very popular. It was the first plant officially registered by the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority in 1973. It's now one of Australia's most widely planted native plants and is the floral emblem of the Western Downs Regional Council. Two other hybrids, Grevillea 'Sandra Gordon' and G. 'Merinda Gordon', were also created at Myall Park.

A Growing Reputation

By the early 1960s, the garden was well-established, and its plants were maturing. Many visitors came to Myall Park, including famous garden advocates and landscape designers. Experts from places like the Queensland Herbarium and even a world-renowned bee expert visited to study the garden.

The garden's growth happened at a time when native plants were becoming more popular in Australian gardens. People were becoming more aware of the environment, and native plants were easier to find in nurseries. David Gordon was a life member of the Society for Growing Australian Plants, which helped spread the love for native flora.

Challenges and Revival

The 1970s were a quiet period for the garden. David Gordon suffered from severe arthritis and couldn't work in the garden. Wool prices also dropped, meaning less money for the garden. No gardeners were employed, and only basic maintenance was done. However, many of the tough plants survived because they were suited to the dry climate.

In the 1980s, David's health improved, and he returned to the garden. A new nurseryman, Reg Carter, was hired. This renewed activity came as Myall Park was recognized for its important role in saving rare and endangered plants. In 1987, David Gordon was honored with the Member of the Order of Australia award for his work in horticulture and conservation. Experts from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, also visited and praised the garden's unique collection.

Dorothy Gordon's beautiful botanical watercolours were published in a book in 1988 after her passing. Her artwork was even displayed at the Osaka Garden Expo in Japan in 1991.

Securing the Future

In 1988, David Gordon started planning for the garden's future. A committee was formed, and in 1991, the "Friends of Myall Park Botanic Garden" group was created to help with funding and volunteers. In 1994, 132 hectares (about 326 acres) of land were officially given to the Myall Park Botanic Garden Limited to ensure its future. Over five decades, the garden grew from a private hobby to a major botanic garden with important conservation goals.

Today, the garden is open to the public for enjoyment, science, conservation, and education. Many new botanic gardens have opened in Queensland, with more and more focusing on Australian native plants.

In 1995, an art gallery was built at Myall Park, designed by architect Brian Donovan. It now houses Dorothy Gordon's original watercolours. The old shearer's quarters and Avochie Cottage are now used for visitors to stay in.

David Gordon passed away in 2001 at 102 years old, leaving behind an incredible legacy. The Myall Park Botanic Garden Limited continues his work, with caretakers and volunteers maintaining the garden, nursery, and seed bank. The park also works with universities and local groups, and its focus has expanded to include all kinds of biodiversity. Over 200 species of birds have been seen at Myall Park, showing its importance as a wildlife refuge. The garden is also a popular place for artists, photographers, and schools.

Exploring Myall Park's Design

Myall Park Botanic Garden covers about 90 hectares (about 222 acres) within its 132-hectare (326-acre) property. The land is mostly flat and is surrounded by farms.

The garden keeps some of the local native trees and plants, which gives it a natural bushland feel. Inside, you'll find thousands of Australian plants, many from dry and semi-dry parts of Queensland and other states. Even though it looks like a wild bush landscape, the garden has a careful design. It's divided into about 72 sections, marked by timber pegs. In the older sections, plants of the same type are grouped together, sometimes on raised gravel beds. Newer sections might mix different plant types, depending on the soil or for special educational purposes.

The garden has different soil types, including grey soil, light loams, and red gravel. Some of the oldest plants, especially the eucalypts, might not look as old as they are because of the growing conditions. Plants often have timber stakes with tags showing their species and when they were planted.

The garden is designed to mimic natural conditions, so established plants don't need much maintenance. The ground cover isn't usually mowed, which helps new plants grow naturally. Plant labels and signs are kept small so they don't distract from the natural beauty.

Large water tanks on tall stands are located throughout the garden. Old metal irrigation pipes are still there, but the sprinklers are not used anymore. A dam on the property's north-west side provides water for the garden.

A gravel road loops through the garden, following the original layout by David Gordon. There are also dirt walking paths that wind through different sections.

Special Plant Areas

The original Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' plant is located in a special Grevillea section. This area also features the "Gordon Grevilleas Walk," where you can see the parent plants that created this famous hybrid. Other Gordon hybrids, like Grevillea 'Sandra Gordon' and G. 'Merinda Gordon', are planted nearby.

Some newer buildings, like the art gallery and toilets (built in 1995), and a reconstructed sawmill shed, are important for the garden's current activities but are not considered part of its historical heritage. Several artworks are also placed around the garden.

Near the eastern side of the garden, you'll find a group of older buildings. These include Terpersie Cottage (the former nurseryman's home), the nursery buildings, a garage, and the single men's shearers' quarters. Avochie Cottage is also nearby.

Terpersie Cottage is a small timber house with a corrugated metal roof. It's very well-preserved, with few changes over the years.

The nursery has two timber buildings connected by a covered walkway. One building holds the potting room and a special seed storage room with silky-oak cupboards full of labeled seeds. The other building is a timber-framed glasshouse (misting house) with clear glass walls and roof. It has benches for plants and a shade cloth to protect them. The nursery yard also has four large timber "hardening bays" where plants get used to outdoor conditions.

The garage, a timber building with a corrugated metal roof, stores thousands of pressed plant samples (the herbarium collection). Each sample records where and when the plant was collected.

The Shearers' Quarters is an L-shaped timber building where seasonal workers used to stay. It has bedrooms, a kitchen with an old cast-iron stove, a dining room, and bathrooms. It's a good example of worker housing from the early 1900s.

Avochie Cottage is another timber house with multiple gables. It has bedrooms, a kitchen with an old stove, a lounge, and a verandah.

Why Myall Park is So Important

Myall Park Botanic Garden is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's a very special place.

A Unique Part of Queensland's History

This garden shows how private gardens and botanic gardens have changed in Queensland. Started in 1941, it grew from a unique private garden into a large botanic garden with important conservation and plant values. For many years, its focus on only native plants and its large size were unmatched in Queensland. It's believed to be the oldest garden in Queensland dedicated entirely to Australian plants.

The garden is also important because the famous Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' plant first appeared here. This plant helped make native plants much more popular in Australian gardens from the 1960s onwards.

Myall Park Botanic Garden has done many things that botanic gardens traditionally do. It has increased scientific knowledge about plants, shared information and seeds with other experts, provided a beautiful and educational place for visitors since 1988, and even supplied plants to nurseries.

Rare and Special Collections

The garden's collection of living plants, its seed bank, its pressed plant samples (herbarium), and its detailed records include many Australian plants that are rare or endangered in their natural homes. The age and wide range of this botanic garden make it truly unique in Queensland's history.

Learning from the Past

The garden's layout, plants, buildings, old gardening tools, and collections of seeds and plant samples can teach us a lot about how plants were grown in the past and how Australian plants have been conserved and understood over time.

A Model Botanic Garden

Myall Park Botanic Garden shows the main features of botanic gardens in Queensland, but with its own special twists. It has living plants, a seed bank, a herbarium, a nursery, and residences, just like other botanic gardens. But unlike many formal gardens, it's set within local bushland. The garden is divided into sections without strict borders or lawns, and the plants are cared for in a way that mimics natural growing conditions.

The nursery buildings from the 1950s are very well-preserved. They show how the garden was built and maintained. Terpersie Cottage, next to the nursery, shows how the garden's workers were housed.

The shearer's quarters are a great example of housing for workers on old farms in Queensland. They show how these buildings were designed with separate sleeping rooms, a kitchen, and a dining area.

Beautiful and Inspiring

Myall Park Botanic Garden is known for its beautiful scenery. It's a living place that is always changing with the seasons, supporting many different plants and animals. It offers a wonderful experience for all your senses.

Its beauty has made it a popular place for tourists, and it has inspired many artists, writers, photographers, and musicians over the years.

Amazing Achievements in Plant Science

Creating the Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' hybrid was a big achievement in Australian plant growing in the 1960s. This plant was carefully encouraged to grow through specific planting methods. It was the first plant registered by the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority in 1973 and is now one of Australia's most popular native plants. The original 'Robyn Gordon' plant is still in the garden today.

A Special Place for Many People

Myall Park Botanic Garden has a strong and long-lasting connection with plant enthusiasts and experts. Its value for growing and conserving plants has been recognized since the 1950s. It has been a place for learning and research for naturalists, botanists, scientists, and groups like the Society for Growing Australian Plants and Birds Queensland.

The Myall Park Botanic Garden Limited, the Friends of Myall Park Botanic Garden, and the local community all have strong ties to the garden through their work as caretakers, volunteers, and supporters.

The Legacy of David and Dorothy Gordon

Myall Park Botanic Garden is specially linked to David and Dorothy Gordon. David Gordon (1899-2001) started the garden and worked on it for over 50 years. His wife, Dorothy Gordon (1930–85), helped him for over 30 years and promoted Australian plants through her art. The Gordons played a very important role in helping people appreciate Australian plants for both gardening and conservation across Queensland and Australia.

Images for kids

Myall Park Botanic Garden glasshouse, 2012
Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'