Burnley Gardens' mandate changed when a horticultural college was opened in 1891, with the Department of Agriculture joining the RHSV in sponsoring community based horticultural education and training. Over the past century, the nature of the educational programs offered has changed radically from practical training in gardening through to university level courses for professional horticulturists. The garden continues to produce a sense of continuity and purpose to these activities.

Carl Bogue Luffman, a garden designer and general horticulturist, became principal of the school in 1897. His influence on the garden layout can still be seen in the curving walks, the wide grassy areas and the use of large conifers to provide architectural form in the garden setting. His vision of nature in the garden preceded the popular movement to use native plants more widely in the Australian landscape.

Whilst magnificent when seen against the skyline from the Yarra Boulevard, Burnley Gardens are designed to be best appreciated as specific settings or pictures created against Luffman's now mature, evergreen canopy.

The maintenance of this now mature landscape into the future poses many problems, not least that of tree felling and replacement and the shortfall of funds to maintain the garden in its Victorian splendour. The changing educational role of the college also places new demands on the garden and its evolution.