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Japanese Maple – Acer Palmatum
These popular imported deciduous trees thrive in the cool temperate climate of Mount Tomah in Australia’s Blue Mountains; they put on a magnificent, full-colour display in autumn.
Like the changing of the year, the transition of the seasons makes for a good time to reflect: to sweep out the old and make way for new growth.
That thought led me to dig out some old autumn photos from the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah , in NSW Australia.
One of the sites developed and managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust based in Sydney, these gardens sit at 1,000 metres (3281 feet) above sea level in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. The gardens, in the Jamison Valley’s rainforest, are home to more than 4,000 species of plants. They extend over 28 hectares (69 acres) of beautifully manicured gardens and wandering pathways.
The altitude and location give the gardens their cool temperate climate, making them suitable for many exotic and unusual plants from around the world. Unlike much of Australia, there are four distinct seasons here – meaning that the non-indigenous plants can properly show off their colourful autumn displays.
I had always meant to visit – but never quite made it. On one of my visits to the other side of the Blue Mountains (eg: Wanders Blue Mountains), friends of mine suggested it as a halfway meeting point for a get-together. I made sure to bring the cameras, and arrive early enough to wander through some of the pathways before lunch.
Join me for some of the brilliant colours of change:
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Entry to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
The expansive viewing deck and visitor centre offer views over the gardens to the Jamison Valley and the mountains beyond.
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Basalt Rock Spiral
This elegant sundial sculpture was built from local basalt rock, formed from volcanic lava flows between 14 and 17 million years ago. When it decomposes, this basalt produces the rich, fertile, red/brown soil that gives this pocket of the Blue Mountains its rich diversity of plant life.
Trees in the Gardens
Weeping Japanese Maple – Acer Palmatum var. Dissectum
There are over 1,000 varieties (cultivars) of Japanese maples, defined by vast differences in leaf shape, size, and color.
Golden Full Moon Maple – Acer Shirasawanum Aureum
Red Blooms
Rhododendrons are another large group of plants: from small shrubs to the giant trees in the Himalayas.
Colours in the Garden
Every turn in the path brings a new colour palette.
Red Japanese Maple – Acer Palmatum
Sun in the Maples
Leaves on Fire
Japanese maples (acer palmatum) put on a brilliant autumn display.
Norway Maple – Acer Platanoides
There are about 132 species of maple trees (Acer) across the world, with all but one being native to the northern hemisphere.
Looking up to Bellbird Cafe
Stone Spiral
From the Bellbird Cafe, there are views down over the granite sundial that was installed in 1992 to commemorate the garden’s fifth anniversary.
Soft Tree Fern – Dicksonia Antarctica
Native to eastern Australia, soft tree ferns are found in rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, and gardens, from south-east Queensland to Tasmania.
Red and Blue
Tulip Tree – Liriodendron Tulipifera
Rocks in the Rockpool
Waterfall in the Rock Garden
Parrot Pitcherplant – Sarracenia Psittacina
The special soils around the rock pool support a wide variety of plants from around the world.
The fresh air and vibrant colours make for a lovely place to spend some time in rest and refection.
Wishing you and yours a happy and peaceful New Year.
Pictures:04May2023
