The National Rhododendron Garden in Olinda is set to become Australia's newest botanical garden with a proposed name change and formal gazetting as a botanic garden later this year. The changes recognise the significance of the extensive plant collections at the National Rhododendron Garden and enhances the Dandenong Ranges reputation as one of Victoria's great garden destinations.

As part of the process to have the National Rhododendron Garden formally gazetted as a botanic garden, Parks Victoria is proposing two alternate new names for the community to choose from as part of a public consultation process in May and June 2017. Importantly, the two proposed names include the word 'botanic' in the title. The two options are Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and Olinda Botanic Garden.

Parks Victoria's Dandenong Ranges Gardens Area Chief Ranger Rebecca Carland says the name change is a significant step forward for the National Rhododendron Gardens and will recognise the diversity and botanical significance of the garden. The National Rhododendron Garden is more diverse than the current name suggests.

In addition to Rhododendrons, the National Rhododendron Garden boasts a large collection of rare and exotic plants, many of which are endangered, and are adapted to the cool-climate of the Dandenong Ranges. This includes magnolias, camellias, proteas, cherry trees, a collection of Southern Chinese plants, an alpine plant collection and examples of one of the world's oldest and rarest trees – the Wollemi pine.

The National Rhododendron Garden is one of seven diverse gardens of significant botanic, heritage and sightseeing value in the Dandenong Ranges managed by Parks Victoria. The seven gardens cover 235 hectares and are located in the Dandenong Ranges, 45 minutes east of Melbourne's central business district. 

National Rhododendron Garden in Olinda is over 42 hectares and open 10.00am to 5.00pm daily (last entry 4.30pm) except Christmas Day. Refreshments can be purchased from the newly renovated Café Vireya on weekends and plants can be purchased from the Garden Nursery.

George Tindale Memorial Garden in Sherbrooke was designed to look stunning in all four seasons. It's considered to be a 'gardeners garden' with vibrant colours throughout the year under a canopy of mountain ash trees. Highlights include Hydrangeas, Camellias, Magnolias and Cyclamen and the Lenten Rose and Hellebore are stunning during winter.

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden is picturesque and lush and if you are lucky enough, you might even experience mist over the tree tops and sea smoke skimming the lake. The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden is a favourite with photographers and considered is one of the world's largest rockery gardens.

William Ricketts Sanctuary is an outdoor art gallery and cultural landscape featuring more than 90 sculptures that were the life work of artist and environmentalist William Ricketts.

Pirianda Gardens in Olinda features a beautiful woodland garden containing a unique collection of plants including many trees which are considered rare in Australia, including a collection of northern hemisphere trees adapted to the cool climate garden, all set amongst magnificent views, tranquil walks with great opportunities for bird watching, photography and picnics.

R.J. Hamer Arboretum near Olinda contains a tranquil resting of deciduous trees contrasted with early flowering species along walking tracks overlooking stunning scenery across the Yarra Valley out to the Warburton Ranges and beyond.

Mount Dandenong Arboretum is an arboretum of national significance that was established in 1928 and features conifers and deciduous trees from around the world including eight that are listed in the National Trust's significant tree register.

For more information about the link between nature and human health, go to www.hphcentral.com or 'like' Healthy Parks Healthy People Central on Facebook.

For more information on the Dandenong Range Gardens call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au