Fragrant garden

Press, 11 October 1988, Page 20

Fragrant garden

Sir, —In response to S. Molloy (October 7), the Abberley Park fragrant garden was sited to extend and enhance the environmental opportunities for residents of the nearby Institute for the Blind, Fernwood Hostel. The Botanic Gardens fragrant garden proposal is designed to enhance these environmental opportuni-

ties for the public in general. The proposed site of about 300 sq m near the west side of the Cuningham House will contain this potpourri of aromas and visitors will still be able to enjoy individual scents in the remaining 21 ha of gardens. The council will be seeking sponsorship for the fragrant garden and, accordingly, it will be constructed at no cost to the ratepayer. In the council’s experience it is very difficult to achieve sponsorship for the maintenance items that S. Molloy has noted. All the maintenance items mentioned are included in the 1988-89 budget and investigative reports are under way where necessary. As to the high proportion of trees suffering from moisture stress, this problem is not limited to the Botanic Gardens but is perhaps more severe in the urban areas of the city because of the extremely dry year. Gardens staff have done an excellent job in maintaining irrigation and senior staff are undertaking a joint study of moisture stress on trees within the Gardens in conjunction with the Forest Research Institute. — Yours, etc., R. J. DALLY, Deputy General Manager (Parks). October 7, 1988.

Sir, —I would like to add three points to S. Molloy’s excellent letter about the proposed scented garden for the blind beside Cuningham House in the Botanic Gardens (October 7). When maintenance is needed to be done to the glasshouse heavy machinery is driven on to the lawn beside the glasshouse. If the trees and shrubs planted in the proposed garden grow well they will help to shade the glasshouse and a fine building (and Cuningham House is that) needs space around it to be appreciated. So do fine trees. — Yours, etc., D. J. OSBORNE. October 8, 1988.