08/03/2026
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Garden supporter, Juliet Lin, last month.
Juliet had a fervent appreciation for the arts and the beauty of the natural world, eventually channelling her passion towards becoming a Master Gardener. Many years before moving away from the Sunshine Coast, Juliet approached the Garden to find a way to honour her parents, ophthalmologists Dr. C.K. Lin and Dr. Marie H.H. Feng, who dedicated their life’s work in China to giving the gift of sight to many. The Chinese name ‘Lin’ 林, translates to ‘grove’ or ‘forest’ in English, and so the Quaking Aspen Grove was a meaningful dedication to her parents’ legacy. What makes this dedication even more special is that this small grove of aspen trees are all one tree that share the same root system.
The leaves of the Populus tremuloides (Quaking Aspen) are unique in that they are positioned on the petiole (stem) in such a way that even a gentle breeze causes the trees to flutter, giving it its name. This trembling of the leaves creates a soothing rustling sound in the wind, and lets in dappled light, allowing visitors with varying degrees of vision loss to experience its beauty with different senses.
Come by the Garden to see this special grove for yourself; sit on the bench beneath its canopy, close your eyes, and discover how this tree communicates to you.
Thank you, Juliet.
