Australia’s spectacular natural wonders and unique cultural heritage need advocates, defenders and allies to survive. They need you.

Australia is home to over half a million living species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.

While that might seem like a lot, the health of our planet is determined by this variety and diversity; each species relies on other species to survive. Lose too many, and the delicate balance is lost forever.

No one knows exactly where that tipping point lies. We do know that right now there are at least 1500 Australian animals and plants that are at risk of disappearing forever. They’re running out of time and we must act.

Act now

Thank you to everyone who entered nominations in the What’s My Name? competition. We received close to 200 entries from all around the world and it has been tough selecting just one name that captures the qualities of this unusual Banksia which is growing at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra.

With its purple leaves in the cooler months and lush velvet new growth, the horticulture staff at the Gardens love this handsome plant and they believe you will too once it’s available for your garden. With all that lovin’ going on, the expert panel couldn’t go past PURPLE PARAMOUR as the top name to promote this banksia.

Congratulations to Kate Easton-Jukes from Western Australia for creating such an evocative moniker that suits this banksia so well!

Purple Paramour is just one of the many banksias within the newly created Banksia Garden at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Follow the ANBG Facebook page to get the latest news about the new Banksia Garden and notifications as to when you can visit: facebook.com/AustralianNationalBotanicGardens