The Man Who Planted Canberra
Description
In 1911, Charles Weston climbed Mount Ainslie and looked out over a bare, rabbit-ravaged landscape — the site chosen to become Australia’s new capital.
Over the decades that followed, Weston would plant more than three million trees and shrubs across the Limestone Plains, transforming a desolate environment into a flourishing garden city. Working alongside figures such as King O’Malley and Walter and Marion Griffin, Weston’s vision and persistence gave life to Canberra as we know it today.
This richly illustrated book tells the story of the English-born horticulturist who left Britain’s rigid class system in search of new challenges and found his life’s work in Australia. It reveals Weston’s legacy in shaping not just the nation’s capital, but also a living landscape designed to endure and adapt to a changing climate.
A compelling history for gardeners, nature lovers, and anyone intrigued by the making of Canberra, The Man Who Planted Canberra sheds fresh light on a city grown from grit, vision, and millions of seedlings.
About the author:
Robert Macklin is the author of 31 books, including Dark Paradise, Hamilton Hume, and four acclaimed works on Australia’s Special Forces: SAS Sniper, Redback One, SAS Insider and Warrior Elite. He lives in Canberra with his wife Wendy, a composer and artist.
Product details:
Author: Robert Macklin
Publisher: National Library of Australia
Dimensions: 240 x 170 mm
Pages: 240
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 15 September 2025
ISBN:
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