Country Gardens – A day outing in October 2017

A great day organized by Sheila to two very different gardens, in Seymour and Longwood, past Avenal. The weather was warm and sunny and enjoyed by about 25 members, including some new members. It was just over an hour’s drive up the Hume to Seymour, and Longwood was about half an hour further on.

Clarice’s lovely garden in Seymour was in the grounds of a large Victorian house on a normal size house block. Clarice gave us a lovely welcome and description of how the garden evolved with her love of native plants and the local mix of manure that she uses so successfully.

It was a mature mixed garden with paths leading around the house enveloped by mature shrubs and interesting artifacts to find amongst the plants. Small birds flitted around the shrubs above our heads.

Clarice took over the adjacent block and extended her native palate with a border of well-developed hakeas and eucalypts, accessible by winding paths. The inner section was a lovely amalgamation of medium and low native shrubs and perennials, many in flower. This area was also enhanced with interesting relics used as tubs or garden furniture which will be seen in the photographs.

Using Sheila’s tips, we found our way to Longwood and the large property belonging to Val and Frank. The large elevated house and main part of the garden are about 8 years old. We all sat on the balcony eating lunch and marveling at the wonderful long view of the ranges to the north, and the short view looking into the canopy of the trees and down on the garden. It was wonderful watching the honey eaters (including the Scarlet Honeyeaters) flitting through the foliage and visiting the abundant flowers with their nectar supply.

After lunch and Val’s talk, she led us on a walk around the meandering paths amongst the shrubbery which was taller than head height and very healthy. There were many lovely spots to sit and enjoy the birds. Something to find around every bend. So much effort has gone into choice of plants, propagating, soil improvement, planting out section by section and adding water features and gabion walls.

Val says the garden is a work in progress as it’s huge and easier to complete a section before expanding further. In addition there is a lovely covered orchard and veggie patch plus strawberries galore on vertical poles. What a dynamic and energetic couple with a wonderful vision which they have skillfully put into practice.

Report by Joanne Cairns

Images: Jill Lulham

Seymour Garden

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Longwood Garden

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Flowering in October 2017

Just a selection of the flowers brought to our October meeting from members’ gardens to show some that are flowering in ‘True Spring’.

Boronia ‘Purple Jared’

Boronia ‘Moon Glow’

Diplolaena angustifolium

Boronia clavata

Boronia anemonifolia ssp variabilis

Philotheca myoporoides

Olearia phlogopappa

Olearia homolepis

Aphanopetalium resinosum

Pandorea pandorana

Senna artemisioides

Isopogon formosus

Grevillea tenuiloba

Banksia praemorsa

Telopea ‘Shady Lady’

Dryandra polycephala

Dryandra formosa

Grevillea ‘Winpara Gem’

Prostanthera ovalifolia variegated

Thomasia purpurea x solanacea

Lysiosepalum abollatum

Acacia littorea

Chorizema cordatum

Acacia argyrophylla

Eutaxia obovata

Chorizema sp

Acacia laricina?

Eremaea pauciflora

Micromyrtus ciliata

Melaleuca micromera

Kunzea baxteri

Melaleuca incana

Hypocalymma angustifolium

Melaleuca decussata

Australian Plants Expo 2017

The day started at 7am at The Shed, with 4 of us sorting some of the items to be taken to the ECRC by the removalists. This year we had some added problems of a smaller number of helpers, especially in the morning to set up trestles, and finding the right sized cloths for each table. Despite the usual trouble of trying to identify all the flowers that come in unnamed, Miriam, along with all the other helpers, including some from Maroondah Group, did a great job creating order from the chaos.

As well as a stunning display of named flowers in both halls, what great displays were made from some of the unnamed flowers, in baskets and vases, which also adorned the entrance and foyer. Friday is always a tiring day, but with all the willing helpers, and a welcome relaxation over a pizza dinner, the set up was done by 9pm, and we looked forward to Saturday.

People queued at the doors half an hour before we were due to open, ready to speed in and find that special treasure that was published on the plant list. The visitors worked their way around the halls and corridor engaging with helpers and stallholders then stopping for a delicious Devonshire tea before finishing their plant shopping or picking up books. Children raced around excitedly finding their targets whether plant specimens or small Aussie animal replicas as they filled in their booklets. Speakers and demonstrators inspired their audiences with botanical art, wonderful native bonsai and a seasonal garden story about the tiny creatures that call our garden home.

The atmosphere was happy, the sun shone for the first time in weeks and there was no rain. We were lucky. There is nothing to compare with the camaraderie between all the members helping on the weekend. The smooth running of the weekend is in large part due to the preparation that unfolds in the months before. We do need more people willing to help run this wonderful event, so join in – you won’t regret it. The result is most satisfying.

Here is a link to most of the flower specimens on display. Flower Display

Below is just a small selection of photos taken at the expo, of both flower specimens contributed by members, and of other displays and stalls. Thankyou to Ben Eaton, Leanne Stute, and Jill Lulham for the photographs.

Jill & Joanne

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Flowering in September 2017

Some flowers brought to our September meeting from members’ gardens to show some ‘Sprinter’ flowering plants. (If you click on each picture, there is often a brief description of the plant.) This was an abbreviated flower table owing to most specimens being reserved for the Expo flower display the following day. Another post to come with some of the wonderful flowers brought to our Expo.

Alyogyne huegelii (Lilac Hibiscus)

Grevillea flexuosa (ZigZag Grevillea)

Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Rosy Posy’

Grevillea calliantha (Foote’s Grevillea)

Grevillea olivacea (Olive Grevillea

Phebalium squamulosum (Scaly Phebalium)

Elaeocarpus reticulatus (Blueberry Ash)

Pterostylis curta (Blunt Greenhood)

Thryptomene saxicola (Rock Thryptomene)

Eremophila maculata (cerise form)

Acacia acinacea (Gold Dust Wattle

Melaleuca diosmifolia (Green Honey Myrtle)

Lissanthe strigosa (Peach Heath)

Hurstbridge Wattle Festival 27th August 2017

Well it rained and rained some more, then it blew a gale and hailed. It was freezing but fortunately abated enough for us to set up and gave us sunny breaks through the day. It was muddy everywhere. The gazebo threatened to blow away during on particularly intense squall then we rigged guy ropes up to the large drums of water which were placed on the four corner poles – that sorted it! Meanwhile the wattles in bottles would get wet, blown over and then set upright again to continue shining forth. And shine they did. As you can see from the pictures there were times when we looked like the YETI – we had gloves, hats, hoods, jackets, boots, put the sides up on the gazebo and IT WAS STILL COLD. However we bunkered down and just got on with it and it became fun.

The display was a show stopper. We were visited by friends and family and lots of people just strolling by who were amazed at the range of wattles and the different colours. Many stopped for a longer chat about what to grow where. We all gave out small samples of wattle for buttonholes, hats and hair, initially to children then adults wanted them too. It engaged and drew them to our display of about 40 species. The red wattle (Acacia leprosa ‘Scarlet Blaze’) stopped them in their tracks as did A. sessilispica with its deep golden rods.

There were lots of wattles on display and we have to thank Jill and Jo for collecting many of them from their owners on Saturday afternoon, others for dropping off to Jill & Mike, thanks also to Jenny for gathering up the red wattle and others & to Latrobe people – Mike Cincotta and Rick for selecting and bringing local indigenous species for us from La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary. Some of them were: Acacia brownii, ulicifolia, stricta, provincialis, verniciflua, lanigera, melanoxylon, paradoxa, genistifolia, dealbata. There were also some from Phil’s old place (collected by Miriam).

These were the species present on our tables: Acacia acinacea, aculeatissima, calamifolia, cardiophylla, covenyi, chinchillensis, cultriformis, drummondii, fimbriata, farinosa, genistifolia, glaucoptera, gracilifolia, imbricata, lanigera, lasiocarpa, leprosa, leprosa ‘Scarlet Blaze’, myrtifolia, paradoxa, phlebopetala, podalyriifolia, pycnantha, spectabilis, sessillispica, stricta, trigonophylla, verticillata, verniciflua Spicy (Heathcote form), vestita.

Thanks again to all those who gave us specimens for the display. It was GRAND.

Report by Miriam Ford.

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Flowering in August 2017

Some flowers brought to our August meeting from members’ gardens to show some late Winter (‘Sprinter’) flowering plants. (If you click on each picture, there is often a brief description of the plant.)

Pimelea physodes (Qualup Bell)

Correa pulchella (pink)

Leionema lamprophyllum

Philotheca verrucosa

Eremophila psilocalyx

Eremophila sp.

Eremophila debilis

Dodonaea adenophora (poss. sinuolata)

Darwinia macrostegia

Hypocalymma sp. (white)

Thryptomene saxicola ‘Paynes hybrid’

Hakea bucculenta

Grevillea ‘Scarlet King’ (G. nivea)

Grevillea banksii hybrid

Grevillea ‘Lady O’ (rhyolitica x victoriae)

Grevillea sempiflorens

Grevillea ‘Gold Rush’ (alpina x rosmarinifolia)

Grevillea ‘Charlie’s Angel’?

Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Scarlet Sprite’ (G. Pryors Hybrid)

Grevillea treueriana

Kunzea baxteri

Grevillea levis

Clematis decipiens

Acacia beckleri

Acacia leprosa ‘Scarlet Blaze’

Acacia genistifolia

Acacia cardiophylla

Acacia sp.

Dillwynia juniperina

Hardenbergia comptoniana

Hardenbergia violaceae (white)

Templetonia retusa (Cocky’s Tongue)

Garden visit to Shirley Carn’s July 2017

Shirley has a gift for combining plants to great effect using height, colour and texture of foliage and flowers. The result is an integrated blending of Aussie plant magic. Her gardens have featured in the Open Garden scheme many times.

Her latest garden in the Dandenongs is only 3 years old. It was a freezing day and 9 of us were brave enough to rug up and make the trip for the sheer pleasure at the end. Shirley is a generous and welcoming host. She explained experiments and names as we were guided around.

The large quarter acre block is a long rectangle running West/East with the front garden on the west side of the house. There is plenty of sun from the North and a wonderful borrowed landscape with the hills to enjoy in the distance on the South side.

Landscaping over the block has raised beds which allowed wide meandering paths for strolling around and for maximum visibility of the collection. The back garden has a loop path along the long axis, with an extensive bed separating the two sides. Compacted sawdust on the paths gives a wonderful springy feel underfoot.

Shirley is ruthless with plants if they don’t perform. She sources plants from all our usual nurseries plus cuttings and gifts from friends.

Banksias low, medium and high were in flower and looked stunning. There were plenty of buds on the phebaliums, many kinds of spyridium in full show as well as epacris waving their floriferous wands in the wind. Shirley uses other favourites such as pimelea, low grevillea and various lomandra to fill in gaps. We all loved Lomandra patens with its unusual flowers.

Various eucalypts formed some protection for this long bed and Shirley also used some prickly shrubs and hardenbergia to make bird habitat. An Eastern Spinebill entertained us with its antics amongst the shrubs and then took a long bath as we watched on.

The garden borders were a lovely mix of tall shrubs with textural contrasts. allocasuarina, acacia, eucalypts and banksias wove themselves into blended curtains of foliage.

Shirley has created a garden of great visual beauty and appeal. It was hard to believe she started from scratch 3 years ago. She has a great knowledge of plants and their conditions, and loves to share her experiences.

Thankyou Shirley for sharing with us.

Report by Joanne Cairns

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Flowering in July 2017

‘Some flowers brought to our meeting from members’ gardens in July to show some Winter flowering plants. (If you click on each picture, there is often a brief description of the plant.)

Hakea petiolaris ssp. petiolaris

Hakea multilineata

Grevillea hybrid

Thryptomene baeckeacea

Hakea lissocarpha

Acacia beckleri

Grevillea ‘Orange Marmalade’ ?

Grevillea ‘Thorny Devil’ (nana ssp nana x tenuiloba)

Corybas sp. (Helmet Orchid)

Banksia serrata

Grevillea pimeleoides

Grevillea intricata

Grevillea sp. (rosmarinifolia hybrid?)

Banksia spinulosa ‘Honey Pots’

Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Scarlet Sprite’ ?

Grevillea ‘Pick o’ the Crop’

Templetonia retusa (Cocky’s Tongue)

Dryandra fraseri

Eucalyptus preissiana (Bell-fruited Mallee)

Banksia ericifolia

Banksia menziesii

Banksia spinulosa ‘Giant Candles’ ?

Banksia baueri (Possum Banksia)

Correa alba (pink)

Grevillea sp. ? (rosmarinifolia hybrid)

Correa pulchella ‘Mallee Fire’ ?

Acacia podalyriifolia (Mt Morgan wattle)

Grevillea ‘Ellendale Dragon’

Laurimar Wetlands Excursion June 2017

This was a joint excursion with Maroondah Group, led by Bruce Schroder. The following are excerpts from his notes.

The Laurimar housing estate was originally conceived with the logo “City living, country feel” or some similar marketing pitch! At the time in 1995, the owner of what was at the time, arable grazing land, struggled to convince the City of Whittlesea to allow the land to be developed for housing, as it was very much isolated from any other areas of urban development. Today, it is just part of the urban sprawl, albeit at the very northern limits. By working with the original developer and subsequent developers of abutting farm land, Council was able to achieve an excellent outcome in terms of distribution, quantity, quality and presentation of public open space and the preservation of ancient remnant river redgums throughout the housing estate.

The man-made wetlands form a connecting spine for these interlinked areas of open space and are now a haven for wildlife, birds in particular. A family of black swans with 5 fluffy grey balls of cygnets (sic) was sighted 2 weeks ago! By retaining so many of the old redgums (some estimated at more than 400 years old) in proximity to the newly created wetlands, regeneration of these trees has been given a kick start while the trees have provided immediate habitat in the form of nesting hollows and roosts. Less than 20% of the trees on site were removed for residential development and all of these were placed back in the wetlands (stumps, hollow logs, etc) to supplement the habitat values.

This park has an area of 9.2 hectares. Its facilities include walking and bike path, car parking, exercise equipment, shelters, lakes, barbecues, boardwalks and picnic facilities. (Whittlesea Council description).

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