Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Rockhampton, Gladstone & district

This page is intended to present garden-related news and resources for the Gladstone and Rockhampton area. For more about gardening in Qld generally, check the menu at left or try the Site Search

News

Rare plant for Tondoon

A Yarwun Whitewood (Atalaya collina) has joined Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens' developing demonstration gardens (opening in 2018). A collaboration between the gardens' nursery team and Gladstone Region council to propagate 400 plants to help preserve this endangered small tree. Since it was discovered on a Yarwun property in 1982, less than ten mature individuals have been recorded. It's a small tree that is said to be tolerant of draought and poor soils. Source: World first planting at newly constructed demonstration gardens (March 2017)

Gladstone policy on traffic islands

Gladstone Regional Council has adopted a new policy to address expensive maintenance of vegetated traffic islands. Small or high-maintenance medians will be replaced with concrete or artificial turf. Remaining watering sytems will be converted to drip irrigation to reduce weed growth. There will also be a long-term program to replace unsuitable vegetation. Source: New maintenance approach for city roundabouts and medians (June 2016)

Scroll down the page to find older news items and community links. If you're involved in gardening in the Rockhampton or Gladstone areas and have news to share, please get in touch.

Nurseries, Garden Services & Supplies for Rockhampton region

Advertisements

The following advertisers may include online suppliers. For the most up-to-date information on plants in stock, opening hours, prices etc, be sure to visit the seller's website or contact the business directly.

GLADSTONE GARDENLOVERS GARDEN CENTRE

Corner Dawson Highway &
Chapman Drive,
Gladstone, Qld 4680
Ph: (07) 4978 4600

Come see our comprehensive range of plants and water feature products.

We specialise in irrigation for residential and commercial purposes.

Gladstone Gardenlovers Garden Centre is accredited under the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme.

KAESBIE GARDENS

2 - 6 Brief Street,
Emerald, Qld 4720
Ph: (07) 4982 0185

Our range includes fruit trees, palms, sun hardened native and ornamental plants, terracotta pots, water features, gardening gifts and cut flowers.

Kaesbie Gardens is accredited under the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme.

Do you operate a garden-related business in the Rockhampton or Gladstone region? Suitable businesses may include nurseries and garden centres, landscape supply yards, landscapers, lawnmowing and gardening services, outdoor furniture stores. Also, online stores and mail-order services selling gardening-related goods who can deliver to this region may be included. Learn more about advertising on this site.

Community

Tondoon Botanic Gardens

Rockhampton Orchid Society Inc.

SGAP Qld Rockhampton Branch Society for Growing Australian Plants Queensland Region, Inc.

Gladstone SGAP Gladstone Society for Growing Australian Plants

Rockhampton Botanic Gardens A brief history of the gardens and discussion of palms growing there today at the Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia website

Queensland Dry Tropics at Grow Me Instead (a website about weedy garden plants and safer alternatives)

Thozets at Muellerville Website about 19th Century botanist Anthelme Thozet, including the gardens at his Rockhampton property

Bush Tucker in Central Queensland Article at Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants

Native Plant Seedbank for Central Queensland Central Queensland University

Roseberry Street Fig Tree Heritage-listed tree in the grounds of the Government Offices, Roseberry Street, Gladstone. Queensland Heritage Register, Environmental Protection Agency

Native Plant Seedbank for Central Queensland

Be sure to check your local council for information on local parks, watering restrictions, garden competitions, environmental issues etc within your city or shire.

Rockhampton Regional Council

Gladstone Regional Council Includes former Gladstone City, Calliope, Miriam Vale council areas

Central Highlands Regional Council Amalgamation of former Emerald, Peak Down, Bauhinia and Duaringa councils. Also includes Blackwater, Rolleston, Rubyvale, Springsure

Isaac Regional Council Amalgamation of former Belyando, Broadsound and Nebo Shires

Livingstone Shire Council

Central Highlands Regional Council

Banana Shire Council Banana, Biloela, Moura, Theodore, Taroom

This page has been set up for information about plants and gardening specific to the region of central Queensland around Gladstone and Rockhampton, including Yeppoon, Mount Morgan, Biloela, Emerald.

Other towns and districts in the part of central Queensland to be covered by this page include: Bororen, Seventeen Seventy, Agnes Waters, Tannum Sands, Boyne Island, Mount Larcom, Thangool, Moura, Springsure, Anakie, Comet, Blackwater, Bluff, Dingo, Duaringa, Westwood, Stanwell, Gracemere, Keppel Sands, Emu Park.

Non-profit organisations are promoted free of charge, so be sure to send in your links, events details and other news if you belong to a local garden clubs, environmental groups or other associations concerned with plants or gardening.

Garden centres, plant nurseries, landscape supply outlets, landscapers and other suppliers of garden-related goods and services to the Rockhampton region are invited to advertise on this page at low cost.

Older News

Some older news which may still be of interest to residents of the Rockhampton and Gladstone region is retained below.

Fitzroy River recreated in Kershaw Gardens

Designs for Kershaw Gardens' new central precinct approved by Rockhampton Regional Council provide a new family area while sealing landfill exposed by Cyclone Marcia. The many new features include a shallow water play area design based on the Fitzroy River and its various features. Source: Council reveals designs for new Kershaw Gardens central precinct (May 2016)

New Palms for War Memorial

The 12 Canary Island Date Palms at the Rockhampton War Memorial killed and damaged by Cyclone Marcia are to be replaced. Semi-advanced plants will be used to recreate the formal arrangement encircling the Cenotaph. The memorial is heritage-listed. Source: Work begins on Cenotaph Date Palms (May 2016)

New species discovered near Agnes Water

The Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens' curator Brent Braddick has discovered a new species in the Agnes Water area. The Mischocarpus species (family Sapindaceae) is a shrub up to four metres with "enormous" leaves. Source: Gardens' curator discovers new plant species (November, 2015)

Kershaw comes back after Marcia

Rockhampton's Kershaw Gardens are in the process of recovering after Cyclone Marcia. In May, the waterfall was turned back on for the first time, and fallen trees have been converted into some 3000 cubic metres of mulch so far. However, it is possible that rubbish may have contaminated the site. Soil testing underway will help managers determine which parts of the Gardens can be reopened to the public and which must be remediated. Sources: Kershaw Gardens waterfall marks recovery milestone, Council continues to clear, salvage and make safe (June, 2015)

Myrtle Rust in Rockhampton

Media releases at the Rockhampton Regional Council:
Myrtle Rust found on Mt Archer (August 2012)
Myrtle Rust continues to spread (November 2012)

Goodbye to Emerald Aquatic Centre fig
Central Highlands Regional Council have decided that, given roots are already affecting existing structures, a fig tree in the Emerald Aquatic Centre will be removed to prior to expansion of the facilities. They say that apprpriate shade alternatives will be provided with the revelopment. Source: Fig tree makes way for progress (November 2010)

Gladstone Japanese Gardens
The official opening of the Japanese Gardens at the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens is scheduled for 11th July, 2010. Started 14 years ago, the project includes a Japanese tea House, pond, rockery and plantings. More information from Gladstone Regional Council here: Local to entertain at Japanese Garden official opening (PDF) (July 2010)

Garden competition results
2008 Rockhampton Regional Garden Competition results can be downloaded from this page: Garden competition winners!

One of Rocky's favourite trees collapses
An Enterolobium cyclocarpum that had been a feature of the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens for over 30 years has collapsed during heavy wind and rain. In spite of the unromantic common name of "Ear Tree" (due to the shape of the seedpods), the old tree was a popular site for weddings. Staff intend to plant another one soon. Meanwhile, anyone who has a booked a function at the Ear Tree should contact the Gardens. More information from the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens here: Botanic Gardens Icon Collapses January 2008