Spreading the Word

Abstract

This article examines local publications regarding horticulture, botany and garden design from the first 50 years of Queensland history. The primary aim was to critically review the documentary data with a focus on understanding designed landscapes. A secondary objective was to reveal the major historical figures responsible for writing about design and horticulture in general between 1859 and 1915. This article represents a summary of these sources and their authors, rather than a detailed discussion about the contents of these writings. Apart from newspapers, which devoted columns to horticultural and on occasion aesthetic matters, there were various other types of relevant publications on designed landscapes in early Queensland, including books, almanacs, nursery catalogues, gardening guides, essays, annual reports, journals and bulletins. The following review is arranged chronologically by publication date, and divided across two major eras: 1850s–1870s and 1880s–1910s. The biographical information provided with each author emphasises their design experiences and influence as part of the evaluation of the significance of these sources for the research.