Melbourne Arts Precinct plant trials
Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation
NATURE: Major Public Realm, Partnership, Research
TIMELINE:In progress
DESIGN PARTNERS: Hassell, University of Melbourne, James Hitchmough & Nigel Dunnett
OVERVIEW:
The three-year research project, the Melbourne Arts Precinct Plant Trials, has been formed in partnership between The University of Melbourne (Burnley Campus), MAP Co, Development Victoria, design practice Hassell, Super Bloom and international horticulturalists James Hitchmough and Nigel Dunnett.
The intensive research project is evaluating plant species and mixes best suited to thrive in Laak Boorndap, the 18,000 square metre biodiverse and abundant garden soon located at the Melbourne Arts Precinct.
The trials are mimicking the dry, harsh environment of Laak Boondap, with testing taking place on a rooftop in shallow beds with minimal irrigation and substrate. The vital research will examine how the plants respond to this extreme environment, ultimately helping to assist Super Bloom and the design team behind Laak Boundary to understand which species and plant communities are most compatible with Melbourne’s dry summer climate, now and into the future.
The plant trials are being conducted to ensure that the plants selected for Laak Boundary will flourish in their harsh environment, with the planting design showcasing a sweeping floral display and sense of abundance year round.
The design will demonstrate the beauty and resilience can and should work in harmony, creating an environment that is joyous and bountiful whilst also being able to flourish in increasingly hot dry climate.
Image credit: Sarah Pannell
‘It is a game-changer to have plant research embedded into the design of a major landscape project. The Plant Trials expand our existing knowledge of plants for green roofs and will help guide plant selection for 18,000 SQUARE METRES of gardens in Laak Boorndap to ensure they are both resilient and beautiful.”
Claire Farrell, Associate Professor in Green Infrastructure, University of Melbourne
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Over 1000 plants are being evaluated in the trials including more than 125 species. Imaging technologies, such as drone imagery and 3D point clouds, are tracking plant development, while sensors monitor site data like rainfall temperature, solar radiation, and soil moisture.
Research outcomes will be periodically shared through public programs, conversations, and articles to help interested community members create climate-resilient gardens in urban settings including their own gardens, rooftops, balconies or nature strips.
PLANTING TRIALS: THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND
CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT PLANTING DESIGN
Outcomes from the trial are being integrated into the planting design for Laak Boondap in real time, being fed to the designers so that they can make changes and respond to the plants performance.
Beyond this, the insights learnt from the trials will be available to the public who can then apply the lessons to their own gardens, whether it be in their own backyard, rooftop, balcony - with the hope that they will inform planting and climate forward planting in public space in the years to come.
BEAUTY AND RESILIENCE
Laak Boondap’s planting design is unique in that it highlights extremely diverse, high density flowing plants. The planting scheme is complex and needs to allow for an assorted and varied mix of environmental conditions.
The garden will be built on a floating structure, mimicking that of a rooftop, with plants exposed to extreme conditions including minimal substrate, low irrigation, high sun exposure and high temperatures. The trials are looking at how these extreme conditions influence the plant growth and productivity - and ultimately how the plants interact with one another within these challenging conditions.
MORE FROM THE PLANT TRIALS
PLANT TRIALS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS
The plant trials are a partnership between The University of Melbourne (Burnley Campus), MAP Co, Development Victoria, design practice Hassell, Super Bloom and international horticulturalists James Hitchmough and Nigel Dunnett.
EXPERIENCE THE PLANT TRIALS
The findings from the plant trials can be viewed at Melbourne’s Federation Square at the Test Garden, where community can hear from the researchers and designers on their findings.
WILD AT HEART
Laak Boondap was featured in The Age with a story ‘Wild At Heart’ by Megan Backhouse which goes into generous detail about the development and how it is being cultivated.