Janice Menz, invites you to Wittunga

"...a favourite place of my grandchildren and we spend lovely hours enjoying the outdoors there."

Janice Menz

Thursday, March 11, 2010

I have spent many years ‘watching’ the Wittunga Botanic Gardens as both an avid bird watcher and a local.  I can remember how they looked many years ago as private gardens before they were gifted to the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide by the Ashby Family.  Of course they were much wilder then and had an orchard and large open spaces. 

The Wittunga Botanic Gardens is home to many varieties of birds and I logged hours watching and counting birds and nests as a member of the SA Ornithological Association, and contributing to the RAOU Bird Atlas compilation. 

Now I think the Garden is much more ‘civilised’ with good paths, garden beds and access. They are a favourite place of my grandchildren and we spend lovely hours enjoying the outdoors there.  There are not as many varieties of birds today, but this Garden remains an important part of my life and of the local community too.

Note: Wittunga at Blackwood in the Adelaide Hills was established by Mr Edwin Ashby in 1901, and was generously given to the State by his son Mr Keith Ashby and family in 1965. The garden was first opened to the public in 1975 and today contains SA's largest collection of South African plants & a fine collection of Australian native plants and birdlife.

Preserving the past, planting the future.