In 1881 the Museum of Economic Botany which is now listed on the inventory of the National Estate was opened to the public. The world famous Wisteria Arbour. During Schomburgk's era, the Garden fulfilled recreational and educational functions but also provided services of considerable importance to farmers. Trees were also propagated and distributed by the Botanic Gardens for civic plantings in and around Adelaide. Today, the Garden specialises in scientific and educational displays of ornamental plants, both exotic and native.
Collections range from palms and endangered cycads through to culinary and medicinal herbs.
Over 1.3 million people visit each year including approximately 25,000 school students to learn, enjoy and gain a better understanding of the plant world and its importance to our future. Garden Workshops Garden workshops are held by the Botanic Gardens staff from time to time to assist the home gardener on specific topics. Plant Identification Plants for identification may be left in the foyer of the Administration Centre. The Adelaide Botanic Garden is an historic garden on the Adelaide Plains with a dry Mediterranean climate and alkaline soils. Native and exotic plant collections are displayed including palms, cycads, bromeliads and many spectacular mature trees and shrubs.