Hydrangeas take centre stage in summer conservatory display

The Robert Clark Conservatory at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens is in full bloom with its spectacular summer display. 

A large showcase of cool-coloured hydrangeas is the main attraction in the conservatory. The display also features a range of colourful fuchsias and pelargoniums. 

While the conservatory is renowned for hosting the dazzling autumn display of beautiful and rare tuberous begonias for the annual Ballarat Begonia Festival, the conservatory is also home to four additional seasonal displays throughout the year. 

Gardens and Nursery Curator Donna Thomas, recently appointed to the role after former Curator Peter Marquand retired late last year after 32 years of service, said the conservatory showcases more than 12,000 plants grown in the gardens’ nursery each year. 

“The summer display showcases big banks of colour – it really is lovely,” she said. 

“As you walk into the conservatory, the first thing you see is a wall of hydrangeas almost two metres tall. 

“We grow 75 unique types of hydrangeas, 80 unique types of pelargoniums and there are in excess of 50 different fuchsias.” 

The conservatory display changes to the begonia display in March. In May, to coincide with Mothers’ Day celebrations, the conservatory showcases the chrysanthemum collection. 

In winter, the conservatory features cyclamen, cineraria and primula and in spring it features schizanthus and spring bulbs. 

Ms Thomas, a qualified horticulturist with a background in plant collections and gardens education who has worked at the gardens for 13 years, said the displays feature documented collections of plants grown in the gardens’ nursery by City of Ballarat qualified horticulturists Sheree Blood, Erin Brennan and Mark Oliver. The talented trio also design each conservatory display. 

"People tend to associate the conservatory with the Begonia Festival and are often surprised that we have five floral display changes during the year,” she said. 

“Three of those are full design changes so three times a year we pull everything out, pressure clean the floor and a whole new design comes in.” 

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson encouraged the community and visitors to explore and enjoy the 40 hectares of gardens located right on the doorstep of Lake Wendouree. 

“Summer is the perfect time to experience the gardens in all its beauty,” he said. 

“Visit the conservatory, see the incredible statue collection, wander the Prime Ministers Avenue, discover the sensory garden and fountain, and take in the sight of the magnificent McDonald Gates in the gardens’ southern entrance. 

“The dahlias will soon be flowering and these will bring vivid colour to the gardens up until mid-April." 

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens are open from 7.30am to 9pm until April. The conservatory is open daily from 9am to 4.30pm, excluding Christmas Day. Entry is free.