Cavenagh St shade structure: Plant expert slams choice of vines

A DARWIN gardening expert has criticised the government for choosing the “wrong species of vines” for the $2.7 million Cavenagh St shade structure

The Cavenagh St Shade structure five months after the vines were planted. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A DARWIN gardening expert has criticised the government for choosing the “wrong species of vines” for the $2.7 million Cavenagh St shade structure.

A Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics spokesman said landscapers chose to plant 20 Rangoon Creeper and Orange Trumpet vines at the structure last November. He said the vines are expected to take up to 18 months or until next May to completely cover the arc.

Top End gardening expert Sandra Byrnes said the vines were still visibly struggling to grow five months on.

There is criticism about the type of vines used. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“It doesn’t look like they’re getting enough water or fertiliser,” she said. “We’ve also just had one of the worst wet seasons on record so that would have played a part in it but I still think overall this has been badly designed.

“I don’t know why the government chose to plant Orange Trumpet because they won’t be big enough. It looks like they got them from a wholesaler even though there are many better suited species.”

A DIPL spokesman said the shade structure also had misting sprinklers but they had been placed to cool the streetscape, not water the vines.

Widely known for her encyclopaedic knowledge of plants, Mrs Byrnes has run Arnhem Nursery for more than 40 years with her husband Kerry.

“If they wanted to do this project efficiently they would have planted vines on the side walks as well,” she said.

“That way both sides would grow and meet in the middle because it’s going to take a heck of a long time to do it the way they are now.”

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Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler said the she was confident the project was on track.

“The Territory Labor Government is revitalising Darwin’s CBD through transformative projects that will position Darwin as a cool, modern, tropical destination that will attract more people and create jobs,” she said.

“I look forward to the vines providing a green canopy that not only cools the area but rejuvenates it making it a more public friendly space.”

Originally published as Cavenagh St shade structure: Plant expert slams choice of vines