Succulent Garden
Succulent Garden is a walled cactus and succulent rockery inside the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Its standout feature is a collection arranged in geographic zones, with African aloes and euphorbias in the old world beds and Joshua trees and agaves from the Americas in the new world beds.
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About Succulent Garden
Plant Collection at Succulent Garden
Succulent Garden divides its rockery into geographic ecozones so visitors can compare how arid plants from different continents differ in form. The old world beds hold mainly African plants, including Aloes, Euphorbias and Stapelia, and the garden has a large collection of African Aloes. The new world beds hold plants from the Americas, including Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia), Agaves, giant Furcraeas and the Golden Barrel cactus (Echinocactus grussonii). Some of the older, slow-growing plants loom over eight feet high.
Walking Loop at Succulent Garden
Succulent Garden has a short walking loop through statuesque gardens that starts at its entrance. The pathways suit visitors with disabilities, including people using mobility aids. Because the walled rockery covers a compact area, the loop makes an easy short stroll. Benches along the way offer rest and shade, and the tall towers of the Sydney CBD rise above the eastern entrance. The NSW State Herbarium borders the garden on one side.
History of Succulent Garden
Succulent Garden stands on the site of Australia's first zoo, which operated from 1862-1883. The NSW acclimatisation society started the zoo, and its first residents included an anteater and Chinese deer. In 1883 the zoo moved to Moore Park, south of the gardens. The first succulent and cacti rockery was built on the site in 1936, and the larger Succulent Garden was completed in 1983. Landscape designer Jamie Durie added a rustic sculpture garden of coloured planting and rusted metal in 2007.
Facilities at Succulent Garden
Visitor tips for Succulent Garden
- ✓Visit in the morning, when the garden is bathed in sun.
- ✓Come in winter, when the sunny rockery is a good place to warm up.
- ✓Look for the garden's tortoise in the education classroom, not in the garden itself.
Getting to Succulent Garden
Succulent Garden is on Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, within the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. A wheelchair-accessible car park is available on site.
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- 📍NSW State Herbarium
Frequently asked questions about Succulent Garden
What are the opening hours of the Succulent Garden?
It is open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
Is the Succulent Garden wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the garden has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park.
What plants can I see at the Succulent Garden?
Highlights include Joshua trees, Golden Barrel cacti and giant Furcraeas from the Americas, plus a large collection of African Aloes.
What was on the Succulent Garden site before?
Australia's first zoo stood here from 1862 to 1883, before it moved to Moore Park.
Can I buy plants at the Succulent Garden?
Yes, a garden nursery nearby sells plants.