Volunteers help rare Aussie rhododendrons bloom in unexpected place
Monday 31 March, 2025
The cool forests surrounding the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden may not seem like the perfect place to grow plants only found in tropical Far North Queensland, however, thanks to a climatic quirk and the care of dedicated volunteers, Australia’s native rhododendrons have found a new home for themselves here in Victoria.
While there are more than 1,000 species of rhododendrons found throughout the world, there are only two species of native rhododendrons found in Australia (Rhododendron lochiae and Rhododendron viriosum), and both are at the centrepiece of the Australian Cloud Forest Collection, the newest feature garden at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden.
A rhododendron is a flowering shrub known for its vibrant blooms and evergreen leaves. Rhododendrons produce clusters of colourful flowers in spring, attracting a range of pollinators and are commonly found in temperate regions around the world.
What makes Australian rhododendrons special?
Photo: The vibrant red flowers of Australia's native rhododendrons are a sight to behold.
Both of Australia’s native rhododendrons have elongated red flowers, and are found in extremely isolated areas, in the cloud forests of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, high up on the summits of the tropical mountains surrounding Cairns in Far North Queensland.
According to the Australian Rhododendron Society Victorian branch president Andrew Rouse, while replicating the necessary climactic conditions to grow the Australian rhododendrons is difficult, the cool-temperate rainforest of the Dandenong Ranges National Park has proven to be the perfect spot.
“The native rhododendrons grow in rocky boulder fields at the summits of mountains in tropical Australia. It’s a really unusual climate – it’s tropical and humid, but high elevation, so it can get quite cold. It can be hot and sunny one minute, and then clouds or fog roll in with wild winds the next,” Andrew said.
“So while it’s a very unusual climate to replicate in Queensland, it’s quite similar to the climate here in the Dandenong Ranges – and they grow really well."
“The temperate rainforest of the Dandenong Ranges ensures there’s plenty of moisture and humidity in the air. It’s also cooler up here than it is in Melbourne, and it’s not uncommon for low-flying clouds or fog to enshroud the area, so some of the conditions are actually quite similar to where the native rhododendrons are found in the wild.”
The Australian Rhododendron Society
The Australian Rhododendron Society is a volunteer group formed in 1960 as a way for people with a particular interest in rhododendrons to connect. The Victorian branch is based at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden where it helps look after a staggering 15,000 rhododendrons, making it the largest collection of Australian and overseas raised hybrids of rhododendrons that cannot be replaced, re-bred or re-imported.
Andrew, who has been involved with the Australian Rhododendron Society for “20-something” years, said the botanic garden is now home to “one of the best collections in the southern hemisphere” and is vital for conservation as "a lot of these plants are now threatened" in the wild.
Volunteers from the Australian Rhododendron Society Victorian branch were the driving force behind the Vireya House, a glasshouse at the botanic gardens which showcases a variety of tropical rhododendron vireyas from all over the world, and have also been instrumental in the establishment of the Australian Cloud Forest Collection, which was officially opened in August 2024.
The Australian Cloud Forest Collection
Andrew himself was part of the volunteer team tasked with collecting the native rhododendron samples from every known location on the tropical Queensland mountaintops.
“The environment these plants have shown to enjoy is likely to shrink due to climate change, it’s likely to become a bit hotter and a bit drier, so we tried as best we can to collect as much genetic diversity within the various mountains for each particular species.”
The rhododendron samples were then propagated by the volunteers at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, before they were planted out in the Australian Cloud Forest Collection garden last year.
The Australian Cloud Forest Collection was opened in 2024, and aims to replicate the rocky outcrops of the tropical mountains in Far North Queensland.
Australian Rhododendron Society president Andrew Rouse said the volunteer group has played a major part in the formation of the Australian Cloud Forest Collection at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden.
“This garden will really come into its own in a year or two. We planted young plants, so it’ll take a couple of years to fill out properly,” Andrew said.
“Just about everything in the Australian Cloud Forest Collection is plants that have come from the mountains in Far North Queensland. We’ve got the two rhododendrons and then about another 30 species from those same mountains in tropical Queensland, with more species to come."
“It’s great that we can create something like this and help maintain it. That’s one of the great things about volunteering here – we can clearly see the value we’re adding.”
How you can volunteer in your local park
For those interested in making a difference, volunteering with your local Friends group is a rewarding experience.
Not only will you feel the sense of fulfilment that comes with protecting nature, but you can also enjoy opportunities to participate in special projects, learn from experts, and be part of a supportive and social community dedicated to preserving one of Victoria’s most valuable natural assets.
Whether you can spare a few hours a month, or you want to be more actively involved – every contribution helps safeguard Victoria’s incredible places and Australia’s unique flora and fauna.
To learn more, visit the volunteering page of our website and register as a volunteer on ParkConnect.
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