DIGBY GROWNS

Senior Plant Breeder
Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, WA

Digby Growns manages programs in the breeding and development of Australian plants. and is responsible for the release of over 50 new varieties including the hybrid Chamelaucium ‘Pearlflower’ series, Anigozanthos ‘Kings Park Royale’ and 17 new Grevillea hybrids including the commemorative plant for the Centenary of the ANZAC’s, ‘RSL Spirit of ANZAC’.  He leads research into new technology developments in plant tissue culture, biotechnology and plant breeding.

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Photo credit: David Blumer

THE SPECTACLE OF NATIVE PLANT SPECIES: PROMOTING BIODIVERSITY IN GARDENS

The Kings Park Plant Breeding and Development program is an environmentally based ornamental breeding program that focuses on producing highly decorative Western Australian plant varieties with a positive environmental impact.  We aim to provide habitat and food sources for urban fauna such as birds, insects, reptiles and small mammals.  We produce plants that use less water and fertilizer, than standard garden plants, to reduce the impact of groundwater use and pollution in urban areas.  These varieties are also more tolerant of pests and diseases to reduce the use of chemical-based control.  In addition, the plants we create are highly ornamental to celebrate the spectacular beauty and variety of Western Australian flora and to encourage their uptake by landscape architects and designers, and the public.  We work with several different commercial partners for different plant genera under the Kings Park brand and use our reputation to promote local flora and their environmental benefits. We have been pleased to see a significant upswing in interest and use of Australian plants locally, nationally and internationally over the last 20 years of the breeding program and look forward to continuing to expand our knowledge and the popularity of native plants.