Behind the Seeds: The Science of Growing Climate-Resilient Landscapes

A behind-the-scenes exploration of the native wildflower meadows of the Australian Drylands Precinct and wider Melbourne, hosted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, in partnership with Inspiring Victoria.

Learn from Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria horticulturists Daniel Monge and Jack Dewhurst, scientist Dr Rebecca Miller from the Victorian Conservation Seedbank and Dr Katherine Horsfall, urban ecologist, seed specialist and contributor to Melbourne's emerging native wildflower meadow movement. Discover the hidden science behind seeds and meadow-making, including how different species germinate, establish and coexist, and how horticulturists are trialling plants to better understand their potential for sustainable, climate-resilient gardens.

This workshop is presented in conjunction with the Design X Nature exhibition, which explores how natural systems, forms and processes inspire innovative design and creative thinking. Just as the exhibiting artists draw inspiration from nature's ingenuity, this workshop reveals how seeds, plants and ecological communities offer powerful lessons in resilience, adaptation and sustainable landscape design.

Participants will gain practical insights into seed ecology and establishing meadow-style plantings at home while learning how botanic gardens help test new approaches to horticulture in a changing climate. Following the event, participants are invited to explore the Design X Nature exhibition and discover how artists and scientists alike look to nature as a source of knowledge, inspiration and innovation.

This is an Inspiring Victoria event, supported by the Royal Society of Victoria.