Toowoomba

and the Darling Downs, Stanthorpe, Granite Belt

News

Toowoomba Honours Horticultural Heritage

As part of ongoing upgrades to Queens Park, an interpretive shelter is slated to commence construction shortly. Visitors will be able to view excavated footings of the old conservatory which once stood adjacent to the site. The "hot house" was a feature of the park from 1909 until its removal in the late 1950s. The site was excavated by archaeology team from the University of Southern Queensland in 2015. You can view an ABC report on the dig and see historical photographs here: Archaeologists uncover secrets of long-lost Toowoomba conservatory. The design of the new shelter has been inspired by the shape of the former greenhouse, paying homage to a structure which would have made a significant contribution to Toowoomba's identity as a "garden city". Source: Construction to begin on Queens Park Interpretive Shelter (February 2020)

Suppliers of gardening goods & services to Darling Downs

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.

MARTIN GARDEN CENTRE 179 Stephen Street, Toowoomba, Qld 4350 Ph: (07) 4633 1122 martingardencentre.com.au "The Gurus in the Garden"

Want to add style and value to your property? A one stop solution to your garden and landscape needs. Let us start by offering our design service. Local knowledge, passion and flare from local garden lovers. Next visit our Garden Centre. You'll be impressed and inspired by our range and quality. Pots, plants, giftware, pebbles, mulches, pond equipment and water features are all on display. Our landscape teams can quote on the whole job or just the bits you want to leave to the experts. For more information visit our WEBSITE. Martin Garden Centre is accredited under the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme.

TRUE BLUE GARDEN CENTRE 113 McDougall Street, Toowoomba, Qld 4350 Ph: (07) 4659 0311

Toowoomba's most extensive selection of Plants. Decorative Pots, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Gift Vouchers, Garden Furniture and Garden needs. Garden Design Service - we visit your property, discuss your needs & design your garden to suit you. Plant and Product Sourcing Service - if we don't have the item you'd like in stock, we try our best to find what you want. True Blue Garden Centre is owned and operated by Les and Meredith Richters - self employed in Toowoomba nurseries since 1983. True Blue Garden Centre - State Winner for 2002 / 2003 Australian Garden Industry Awards and accredited under the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme.

The Toowoomba Violet Rediscovered

Feature Article

The sale of bunches like this one helped build the Toowoomba Mothers' Memorial after WWI

In the city of Toowoomba stands the Mothers' Memorial, a tribute the sons who went to the First World War but did not return. To help fund construction of the monument, flowers of a beautiful fragrant violet widely grown in the region were gathered and sold, at threepence per bunch.

In 1932, Toowoomba declared the violet its official floral emblem, and now forms part of the city's coat-of-arms.

Toowoomba is the main service center for the Darling Downs, one of the nation's prime agricultural regions. Also known as "The Garden city", since 1949 it has staged the famous Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

With such a proud horticultural history, it was sad that the violet which had been such an important part of that history, and which is a symbol of the city to this day, had been apparently lost.

Nobody knew for sure which (if any) of the assorted strains offered for sale as "Toowoomba Violet" over the years were the original variety. If it had survived somewhere, how could it be distinguished from the many other cultivars, not to mention sports and hybrids, now growing in the region?

Where was the true Toowoomba Violet?

In 2009, horticultural teachers at Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE, decided to bring back the violet. First, they asked locals to contribute candidate plants from their home gardens, which were then cultivated at the college. At flowering time, prominent Toowoomba gardener and flower arranger Joan Falvey was asked to identify the flower closest to the Toowoomba Violet she once knew.

The Toowoomba Violet

As it turned out, the Toowoomba Violet had been growing in a TAFE teacher's garden for years! Subsequently, the variety has been identified as Viola odorata 'Princess of Wales'.

Plants have been propagated at the college and sold locally through garden shows and campus plant sales, with some of the money benefiting the Toowoomba Hospice. However, numbers are still limited. Options for making the violet more widely available are currently being explored.

Thanks to the efforts of the TAFE teachers and students, Joan and other dedicated gardeners, the coat-of-arms won't be the only place to see Toowoomba Violets. The fragrant flower is certain to be gracing more gardens in Toowoomba and beyond in the years to come.

Native suggestions help gardeners in dry times

Feature Article

If creating a native garden, using species that occur naturally in your area can be beneficial environmentally as well as provide an extra interest to the garden. One of the problems, however, is finding information on what grew locally originally.

Toowoomba gardener and author Patricia Gardner has come to the aid of Darling Downs residents with her Toowoomba Plants book duo, the first volume of which (Trees and Shrubs) is available now. It contains detailed descriptions of 277 trees, shrubs and mistletoes.

The book isn't just for native enthusiasts, however, because Patricia concentrates on species suitable for residential properties. The range of drought-tolerant suggestions will help homeowners in the Toowoomba region and beyond create attractive gardens with less water.

There is a particular focus on "dry rainforest" species. Patricia says these are good for homeowners wanting a rainforest look at home, because they are not only drought tolerant, but they tend to be smaller-growing than species from high-rainfall areas.

Community

Older News

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

Another award for Toowoomba carnival

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in conjunction with The Chronicle Home Garden competition has won the inaugural Rural Green Space Award at the 2017 Australian Institute of Horticulture national awards, honouring the role these events play in promoting the benefits of green spaces. The carnival is also a current Tourism Australia Major Festival and Event gold winner. Source: TRC wins inaugural national horticulture, Qld Tennis awards (November 2017)

Toowoomba's beautiful rubbish

Toowoomba are extending their beautification commitment to their waste facilities with an annual garden competition involving staff and Ability Enterprise (providing employment to the disabled and long-term unemplyed). Ravensbourne Waste Facility has taken out first prize in the 2017 competition. Source: Ravensbourne Waste Facility takes out garden gong (October 2017)

Adopt a tree on the Western Downs

Western Downs Regional Council report that response to their "Adopt a Street Tree" program has been very encouraging. Registrations for 2017 are now closed, but interested residents can register for 2018 online here or phone the council. Source: Community gets behind leafy initiative (August 2017)

Parklands on the horizon for Chinchilla

An important step towards making Chinchilla Botanic Parklands a reality has been made with $2.85 million in funding secured from the State Government. A draft masterplan has also been developed with "liveability, tourism and economic development" objectives. Source: $2.85 million funding boost to bring Chinchilla Botanic Parklands to life (July 2017)

Tree policy towards an economic future

Toowoomba's Regional Council has approved a Street and Park Tree Policy to ensure its tree population continue to enhance the region for residents and visitors well into the future. Besides environmental and social benefits, trees are an important economic asset. (Travel site Expedia declared Toowoomba one of The 25 Most Beautiful Places in Australia). Source: Toowoomba's 'green' image remains a top priority for Council (May 2017)

London Plane a CBD fail

At least 4 London plane trees in Warwick streets will be removed by Southern Downs Regional Council after root barriers failed to prevent damage to nearby road and footpath underground pipes. Given the risk of continuing damaging, these and possibly all 24 of the trees in Warwick will be replaced with species more suitable for a CBD location. Source Safety concerns prompt removal of invasive trees (September, 2016)

Another award for Gumbi Gumbi Gardens

Gumbi Gumbi Gardens at the University of Southern Queensland has won overall champion at Toowoomba Regional Council's inaugural Gold Leaf Awards for Excellence, representing the most outstanding entry across the fields of urban design, heritage and environment. The Gardens tell the story of the country's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customs, rituals and practices. They feature a fire pit, basalt grinding stone, yarning circle and meeting place, with plants traditionally used by local peoples and work by local Indigenous Australian artists. A smartphone App that provides a guided tour of the approximately two-hectare Gardens can be downloaded for free. Source: Gardens take 50,000 years to establish (March 2015)

Tree plans for Garnet Lehmann Park

Designers of the detention basin (a flood mitigation measure) in Toowoomba's Garnet Lehmann Park will strive to remove the minimum number of trees necessary, and replant at least two trees nearby for every one removed. Toowoomba Regional Council streaa that the park will still be available for recreational activities. Source: Council working with community on Garnet Lehmann Park (February 2014)

Native garden opens in Toowoomba

Gumbi Gumbi Gardens, comprising approximately 2.2 hectares of native flora at the University of Southern Queensland campus at Toowoomba, has been officially opened. A feature of the gardens are extensive plantings of plant species used by local Aboriginal communities and was designed inpartnership with Elders of the region. The gardens also include a number of teaching spaces. Source: Gumbi Gumbi Gardens set to impress (October 2013)

Green waste bins a possibility outside Toowoomba

Toowoomba Regional Council is asking those residents outside the city who are interested in a fortnightly green waste bin to register by 28th February 2013. At this stage, Council is trying to gauge demand and plan feasible service routes. Where offered, the optional service will attract an additional charge. More information at the council's website: Regional residents urged to register interest in green waste service (December 2012)

Myall Park receives heritage listing

The Queensland Heritage Council has announced that Myall Park Botanic Garden has been entered in the Queensland Heritage Register which means it will be protected under heritage legislation. Read more: Botanic Garden sows seed of success and celebrates heritage listing (November 2012)

Toowoomba tree plan takes trophy

The Toowoomba Street Tree Master Plan has won the Sustainable Initiatives Category in the national Parks and Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence A bloomin' great effort bags national awards (September 2012)

Heritage listing nomination for Myall Park

Myall Park Botanic Garden has been nominated for state heritage listing. Located near Glenmorgan (west of Dalby), the garden is best known for its grevilleas. However, it displays and protects many native species over its 128 hectares, including many rare or threatened species. Submissions on the proposed heritage listing will be accepted until 7 August 2012. More information: Myall Park Botanic Garden nominated for heritage listing (July 2012)

Peacehaven expansion on the way

Toowoomba Regional Council has acquired land adjoining Peacehaven Botanic Park, which will allow continued development of the park and a better overall layout. Residents are invited to contribute their ideas for the site at a community consultation day on 30th June. Details on the council website here: Land acquisition promises big plans for Peacehaven Botanic Park (June 2012)

Warwick to remove Planes before they crash

Seven London Plane trees in Guy Street, Warwick have been assessed by an arborist as unsafe and will be removed. They are too rotten to be treated. Source: Council to Remove Dangerous Trees (May 2012)