Joan’s passion for Australian flora resulted over time in the establishment of very different gardens in Sydney, Darwin and the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Joan has always felt that gardens should complement and make the best use of the environment in which they are created using predominantly local native plants.
She trained in agricultural science at Sydney University, specialised in diseases of ornamental plants, and later taught horticulture in Darwin. An opportunity to teach externally across northern Australia from Innisfail to Broome and down to Alice Springs made her very aware of the incredible diversity and beauty of our own plants.
She was an active member of Greening Australia for many years, supports local landcare and actively participates in efforts to create viable bush connections across the locally fragmented landscape. A Voluntary Conservation Agreement over much of her 11 acre property protects important vegetation which connects to a large wildlife friendly garden.
Nominal retirement also means growing a wide range of tropical and sub-tropical fruit trees, becoming self-sufficient in vegetables, conducting an extensive revegetation program on formerly cleared paddocks and enjoying writing.
Feature
Articles by Joan Dillon in subTropical Gardening
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