The Friends of the Botanic Gardens will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in May with a massive plant sale and activities on Mother's Day weekend.
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Established in 2000, the group works with council to promote, protect and restore key Bendigo public gardens.
They have made a contribution of more than $82,000 to the botanic gardens, working diligently to improve facilities and features of the garden.
Recent contributions have included $10,000 towards the new Central Precinct and $20,000 towards timber seating in the new Garden of the Future.
The $4.6 million Garden for the Future opened in April 2018 and offers an opportunity to learn about plants, horticulture, landscapes, botany, ecology, conservation and heritage.
Inspiration for the garden was drawn from areas of the world that experience similar rainfall patterns and temperature variability to those projected for Bendigo in the next half century, such as areas in South American and the Middle East.
With more than 80 members, the Friends of the Botanic Gardens team come together weekly to propagate seedlings, prepare plants for two plant sale events each year and assist the garden's staff in weeding and maintaining the extensive flower beds throughout the site.
At the nursery behind the Samuel Gadd Centre in White Hills is where the group does some of its best work.
Open to the public every Tuesday morning and more recently on Saturday mornings, healthy and inexpensive plants for sale have been grown and are suited to local conditions.
Plant advice is available from the friendly volunteers and all are welcome to browse the extensive range on sale.
The funds raised from the nursery sale are contributed to improving the botanic gardens.
The Botanical Illustrators conduct regular sessions, workshops and exhibitions aimed at those with an interest in botanical art and a flair for creativity, meeting twice weekly to learn new skills and produce artwork using various media.
Many of these are on display in the Samuel Gadd Centre.
The illustrators meet on Wednesday from 9am until noon and on Saturday from 9.30am until 4pm.
The Friends of the Botanic Gardens 20th anniversary celebrations take place on Saturday, 9 May and Sunday, 10 May at the nursery, located at 71 Napoleon Crescent, White Hills.
Annual membership to the group is $15.
For all membership enquiries, contact Annie on 5442 1615.
The Bendigo Botanic Gardens is located at 557-559 Napier Street, White Hills.
