Explore the Arboretum unique collections, showcasing some remarkable trees and plants from around the world.
Eucalypts
The Arboretum has over 800 specimens of eucalypts representing 350 different species and subspecies of Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora. Most of these trees were grown from seeds collected from the wild.
‘Urrbrae Gem’ was a chance seedling discovered at the Waite Arboretum in 1956. The female parent is Eucalyptus erythronema and the male parent is thought to be Eucalyptus stricklandii. The tree is very ornamental with an attractive grey trunk and showy red blossoms.
The Arboretum is a repository for new eucalypt cultivars including several developed at the Waite by Dr. Kate Delaporte. Read more in Australian Geographic.
Pears
The Arboretum has a collection of more than 90 specimens of Pyrus representing more than 20 different species. Some of these species are endangered in the wild and several are well suited to the Mediterranean climate of Adelaide. Pyrus calleryana cultivars show great promise as street trees, and several selections and hybrids have been developed at the Waite Arboretum. The row of Callery pears in the rose garden adjacent to Urrbrae House, budded from an Arboretum selection, create a spectacular display in spring.
The species Pyrus tadshikistanica and Pyrus korshinskyi are on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered in the wild.
Oaks
The Arboretum has more than 110 specimens from over 50 species and subspecies or Quercus. Many of the species come from California, Texas or the Mediterranean region, so are well suited to our climate. Some species are evergreen, while others are deciduous with striking autumn foliage. The cork oak or Quercus suber, native to southern Europe and northern Africa, is a particularly handsome evergreen species distinguished by its deeply fissured, corky bark.
Acacias
The Arboretum has more than 70 specimens from over 20 species and subspecies of Acacia, including the rare Acacia peuce. Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha and Roundleaf Wattle Acacia acinacea are native to the site.
Palms and Cycads
The Arboretum showcase two main palm collections. The first, established in 1928, includes the striking Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis, several jelly palms Butia capitata, and many other notable species.
Planting of the second collection began along the watercourse in 1994, supported by donations from the Palm and Cycads Society S.A., and is interspersed with cycads.
The total collection consists of more than 300 specimens from over 30 genera and over 70 Cycad plants from over 40 species.
