TO celebrate the next stage of the new Native Plant Arboretum in Mount Beauty, Upper Kiewa Landcare (UKL) will host a grand opening next week for all to attend.
The project began in earnest last November, after the the group received a 'Revitalising Our Environment Grant' from Alpine Shire Council and planned works into four stages.
UKL Group Leader, John Gibbons, said over the past year, the display has all come together very quickly.
"The aim of the project is to raise awareness of what's involved in hinterland we're actually in and to showcase the many varieties of plants which grow in the Upper Kiewa river catchment," Mr Gibbons said.
"Through this arboretum, the locals and visitors to the area can find some inspiration for what they might plant in their own gardens.
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"It's located in a high profile area; it's on a tourist walk where a lot of the people from and visitors to Mt Beauty can access it.
"We're in a unique part of Australia, with quite a unique environment.
"It's approximately 12kms from the arboretum to top of Mt Bogong, standing at 1986 metres above sea level.
"The arboretum is divided into two parts.
"There are 'foothills' plants which grow up to 1000 metres above sea level...this includes a lot of grasses; Poa and Kangaroo Grass varieties, as well as interesting flowering plants.
"One commonly known as 'Black-eyed Susan'; Tetratheca Ciliata and other varieties like Indigofera australis and Hardenbergia Violacea ('Happy Wanderer') are on display; they are pink and mauve flowering plants.
"They can be seen there now, looking very good and vigorous.
"In the 'Alpine' garden bed, which is currently being developed, we have a range of high plains plants.
"This will include Billy Buttons and daisy plants, as well as some snow-gums and grevillea varieties."
For the construction of most of the garden bed and path work, contractors were hired by UKL, with about 20 UKL volunteers working with them.
There were also several community volunteers to assist the contractors to set out the landscape.
On three occasions, the local schools were invited to participate, with approximately a dozen school children lending a hand to the arboretum development.
"The grant we received was for stage one; garden beds for foothills plants of the Upper Kiewa Valley," Mr Gibbons said.
"There are three more stages of the project.
"AGL has generously offered to fund all three stages.
"Funding for stage two - garden beds of the Alpine plants of the Upper Kiewa Valley - has been received and is well under way."
Mr Gibbons said stages three and four involved clearing and replanting of native species, with AGL also offering staff to assist with plantings planned next year.
The Native Plant Arboretum grand opening will be held on Friday, November 29 from 10am to 11:30am.
Attendees can meet at the Kiewa River Trail carpark at Embankment Drive, Mount Beauty.
A free morning tea will be provided.
Please use the QR code to book and confirm your attendance.
For more information, contact John: 0407 520 542 or email Shannon: facilitator@kclg.org.au
