The cactus collection in the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is officially named the Arid Garden, located on the Anderson Street side of the grounds.
Step into the Arid Garden and the landscape changes dramatically. Gone are Melbourne’s familiar lawns and leafy garden beds, replaced by sculptural forms, sharp silhouettes and an extraordinary palette of greens, greys and dusty blues.
The collection demonstrates how plants have evolved to survive with very little water. Thick stems, fleshy leaves, spines and waxy surfaces are all ingenious strategies for storing water and reducing moisture loss – adaptations that make these plants particularly fascinating in an era of increasingly dry conditions.
There is plenty to discover, from the architectural Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) and Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus) to Euphorbia resinifera (Resin Spurge) and Cleistocactus strausii (Woolly Torch).
The garden is particularly atmospheric in the early morning, when some night-flowering cacti may still be in bloom and sunlight catches the spines, creating an almost glowing effect.
Whether you’re a cactus collector or simply curious about water-wise gardening, the Arid Garden is well worth exploring.
