Thomas Lang was a prominent 19th-century nurseryman based in Ballarat, Victoria, who played a significant role in the acclimatisation and importation of plants to colonial Australia
. Operating from 1855, his nursery on Main Road became a major horticultural hub during the gold rush era, aiding in the diversification of Australian gardens.
Key highlights of Thomas Lang’s career include:
Massive Importation: In the twelve years leading up to 1870, Lang imported approximately one million plants into the colony, investing significant capital (over £5000 by 1866) into the endeavor.
Business Expansion: Following the success of his Main Road nursery, Lang opened other branches around Ballarat and Melbourne, operating as "Thomas Lang & Co., nurserymen, seedsmen and florists".
Acclimatisation Efforts: Lang was at the forefront of experimenting with which imported plant species could survive the Australian climate, particularly in the hot, dry, and often arid conditions of the Victorian goldfields.
Legacy: His business records, including handwritten logs of plants and seeds sold between 1856 and 1867, provide important historical insight into 19th-century Australian horticulture.