The term plant blindness was introduced in 1998 by Wandersee and Schussler with some trepidation. 

Plant blindness is defined as the “inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, leading to the inability to recognise the importance of plants in the biosphere and in human affairs”.

I understand that many people don’t pay any attention to plants - just like how I suffer from car blindness and don’t pay any attention to different makes and models of vehicles. 

I’m surprised that many people only notice plants when they’re in flower, and sometimes the flowers have to be big to be noticed by the really plant blind.

The Wodonga TAFE gardens are not the typical mass-planted design that you see around many large institutions. 

This is because Wodonga TAFE has horticultural students, keen students who need to see lots of different species and designs.

It’s also because head gardener Matt Corr is plant mad and loves the unusual and the rare. 

There’s always something interesting in our gardens.

A quick walk around the gardens was a delight to the senses, I touched plants, I smelt plants and I saw wonderful sights – the gardens are literally screaming ‘look at me’!  

Thank goodness I had my camera with me because right outside the main campus a row of sunflowers were opening their blooms - and they looked absolutely amazing. 

Well at least I thought they looked amazing, I noticed people walking past without giving the garden a second glance. 

Were they blind, well maybe they were - plant blind that is.

The work by Wandersee and Schussler advocated the need to give young people a chance to grow plants. 

It also mentioned mentoring the young so that they experienced the richness of botanical gardens and had some insight into the role of plants. This is just what we need to do, so all garden lovers ensure you pass on your love of gardening to your children and to your grandchildren. 

Show them the enjoyment of growing plants and point out the unusual. 

Have them smell plants and touch plants and teach them a few plant names, it’s a small price to pay to prevent plant blindness.

Studying horticulture doesn’t necessarily mean full-time studies. You can pick and choose subjects to suit the time you have. Timetables for 2017 classes are nearly ready. Email AgHort@wodongatafe.edu.au.