Rooftop gardens in the City of Melbourne have been mapped in a council initiative to encourage more sky-high greening and to chart how the city changes over time. The map also details those buildings topped with solar power and hot water systems, both of which are more prevalent than rooftop gardens. Across the municipality, there are 78 roofs housing vegetation, 755 with solar panels and 322 with solar hot water systems. But a City of Melbourne spokeswoman says the council's research suggests the municipality's rooftops could house 236 hectares of intensive (heavy) green roofs and 328 hectares of extensive (lightweight) green roofs.
Go to melbourne.vic.gov.au/building-and-development/sustainable-building/Pages/rooftop-project.aspx to see the current state of play.
Hailing from some of Australia's most arid places, Eremophilas, or emu bushes, are dry-tolerant and – as long as they have good drainage – famously hardy. They will be the focus of a lecture hosted by the Australian Plants Society Maroondah District Group on June 16. Dr Lyndal Thorburn, who leads the society's Eremophila Study Group, will discuss their occurrence in the wild around Australia and also how they can be cultivated in our gardens. Australian Unity Hall, 8 Main Street, Blackburn, 8pm.
Fifteen $2000 grants are being offered to schools, youth groups and childcare centres to build or improve their "dream garden". Applicants have until June 29 to submit a design for a landscape that has an educational aspect. The awards, being offered by Junior Landcare and Yates, include $1500 in funding, $500 worth of Yates garden products and a consultation with a Yates expert. landcareaustralia.org.au/grants-for-gardens