Carpinus betulus ‘Pendula’
This small weeping tree is tough and elegant with its elm like leaves that turn yellow in autumn and its green pendulous flower clusters that
Stephen Ryan
August 5, 2019
Welcome to Stephen Ryan's world of Horticulture
Stephen Ryan is the newly appointed Patron for the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria (RHSV). He is also the President of the Mt Macedon Horticultural Society, one of the oldest gardening clubs in Victoria.
Stephen lectures and holds seminars both in Australia as well as overseas which have included a lecture that was translated into Spanish as he spoke to an audience in Argentina. As a plant hunter and traveller he has travelled to many places in the world such as Namibia, India, Oregon, England, Ireland, South Africa, Peru, New Guinea and France as well as the aforementioned Argentina. He has also led tours into Madagascar and North West France.
He has published three books on rare plants that have received rave reviews and his manual contains over 2000 plant entries of rare plants available in temperate Australia. He also contributed to the two large tomes produced in Australia Botanica and more recently Flora. Stephen’s garden and nursery hold three national plant collections, Cornus, Sambucus and Acanthus, for the Garden Plants Conservation Association of Australia.
The Nursery
Stephen's Dicksonia Rare Plants is situated in the heart of Mount Macedon and is one of Australia’s most unique nurseries with over 2000 plants from around the world.
Tours
Stephen leads tours to some of the most beautiful gardens around the world, including France, Morocco, Madagascar, Spain, Chile, New Zealand and around Australia.
The Garden
Get a group of 20 or more together and visit Stephen's garden Tugurium. Well known as the set of ABC Garden Australian during Stephen's time as host.
About Stephen
Stephen is an horticulturalist, nurseryman, collector, prolific writer and award-winning radio broadcaster and TV presenter.
About Stephen
Stephen is an horticulturalist, nurseryman, collector, prolific writer and award-winning radio broadcaster and TV presenter.
UPCOMING Garden tours
My obsession with plants has led me to travel extensively in many parts of the world looking at both gardens and plants in their natural habitat. These plant hunting and garden visit tours have included such places as India, New Guinea, Fiji, New Caledonia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, France, England, Ireland, Crete, Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar, New Zealand and Pacific North West USA.
Natural Landscapes & Gardens of Madeira & the Azores
16 May – 3 Jun 2026
Led by Stephen Ryan, explore the natural flora and fauna of Madeira and Azores, both archipelagos of Portugal. Stephen will be assisted by botanical artist Craig Lidgerwood.
Led by Stephen Ryan, explore the natural flora and fauna of Madeira and Azores, both archipelagos of Portugal. Stephen will be assisted by botanical artist Craig Lidgerwood.
The Living Eden: Madagascar’s Unique Flora and Fauna
7 Sept – 27 Sept 2026
Explore Madagascar’s rich and unique wildlife habitats, venturing into exquisite national parks and reserves ranging from semi-tropical rainforests, succulent and spiny thicket, rocky landscapes of the central west and the spectacular mineral forest (karst spires) of the Tsingy de Bemaraha.
Explore Madagascar’s rich and unique wildlife habitats, venturing into exquisite national parks and reserves ranging from semi-tropical rainforests, succulent and spiny thicket, rocky landscapes of the central west and the spectacular mineral forest (karst spires) of the Tsingy de Bemaraha.
Autumn in the Macedon Ranges with Stephen Ryan
14 Apr – 17 Apr 2026
Explore the spectacular gardens of the Macedon Ranges in Autumn with Stephen both the President of the Mt Macedon Horticultural Society and Patron for the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria.
Explore the spectacular gardens of the Macedon Ranges in Autumn with Stephen both the President of the Mt Macedon Horticultural Society and Patron for the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria.
Gardens, Art, Villages & Châteaux of Normandy and Brittany
6 Jun – 23 Jun 2027
Led by Stephen Ryan, with the assistance of Craig Lidgerwood, this tour explores the gardens, art, villages, towns and great monuments of two of France’s most beautiful and historic regions: Normandy and Brittany.
Led by Stephen Ryan, with the assistance of Craig Lidgerwood, this tour explores the gardens, art, villages, towns and great monuments of two of France’s most beautiful and historic regions: Normandy and Brittany.
Iconic Gardens, Celebrated Plant Collections & Natural Landscapes of Ireland
27 Jun – 14 Jul 2027
Led by Stephen Ryan, with the assistance of Craig Lidgerwood, explore the Emerald Isle, home to the world’s greenest and breathtaking landscapes, historic castles, UNESCO World Heritage listed monuments, and iconic gardens with celebrated plant collections.
Led by Stephen Ryan, with the assistance of Craig Lidgerwood, explore the Emerald Isle, home to the world’s greenest and breathtaking landscapes, historic castles, UNESCO World Heritage listed monuments, and iconic gardens with celebrated plant collections.
Latest from Stephen's Blog
oxalis species
Hated by many due to the weedy species many Oxalis make great rock garden or pot plants with attractive leaves and stunning flowers. The
Stephen Ryan
April 29, 2019
Bartlettina sordida
This plant once known as Eupatorium megaphyllum is a soft wooded evergreen shrub to 2metres or so with huge heavily viewed leaves that are worth
Stephen Ryan
February 8, 2019
Disporopsis pernyi
This charming woodlander from Asia has glossy rich green foliage on arching stems rather like a small Solomons Seal below which it produces drooping white
Stephen Ryan
January 16, 2019