The first ferns have been planted at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Fernery.
The three metre high Cyathea australis, also known as Rough Tree Ferns, frame the exterior of the fernery which, once landscaping is completed, will showcase a gallery of Australian ferns.
About 400 mostly exotic plants, including shrubs, perennials and Cordylines have also been planted around the outside of the fernery.
A further 400 ferns will be planted inside the fernery in the coming months with the final landscaping completed in time for the fernery to open to the public at the 2024 Ballarat Begonia Festival.
The re-alignment of the footpath on Wendouree Parade is also underway. The works will create an additional new entrance to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, with the introduction of a fernery forecourt designed around the Claxton Monument.
AQL Landscape Design is delivering the landscaping at the fernery, which is one of only a few examples in the state of a grand Victorian plant house. The steel framed replica of the original 1884 Gothic-inspired fernery entrance was completed in 2021.
The design and landscape delivery of the fernery project is being funded by the City of Ballarat ($340,000) together with funding of $150,000 from Growing Victoria's Botanic Gardens Grant Program, the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens ($200,000) and Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation ($50,000).
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the fernery landscaping will provide another spectacular drawcard for the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
"The fernery landscaping will provide an incredible experience for residents and visitors to our beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens," he said.
"I look forward to seeing these transformational landscaping works completed as we gather to celebrate the 72nd Ballarat Begonia Festival."
AQL Landscape Design Principal Wayne De Klijn said the garden build has progressed with the site grading, drainage, pavement, irrigation, raised steel feature planters, edging and garden preparation all completed.
"The beautiful advanced Cyathea australis tree ferns really help set the scene," he said.
New year works will include paving patterned in the shape of fern fronds, which will lead from the Wendouree Parade entrance to the fernery.
The landscaping will also feature two waterfall timber slate seats with bookend stonework, designed to match the existing stonework in the Gardens, final planting and hanging of the Elk Horn ferns and plant chandeliers. Further works will also take place at the rear of the structure to connect the fernery with the rest of the gardens.
Landscaping works began in August this year. The landscape designs were completed by Andrea Proctor Landscapes.
