This is a gallery of past events, garden visits, excursions, and community projects.
Australian Plants Expo – September 2018
In 2018 there were special displays of WA plants, and the Arid Lands Botanic Garden at Port Augusta, with dioramas as backdrops and plenty of enticing photos. On the stage in the main hall the display of paintings by our members was striking, framing the hall contents. As well as the displays of flowers arranged in groups as small, medium and large plants, there were the bird attracting grevilleas, the mixed flower displays, and the wonderful perfume provided by the orchid display.
Children searched for items listed in their activity booklet. There was also the gumnut table for children. Gluing and drilling, Roy helped the children make all sorts of creatures with gumnuts and twigs, mounted on discs sliced from branches. Then they painted their gumnut creature.
The Birds Australia stall had the calls of our native birds serenading us. What bird was that? A very popular stall, as was the bookstall with a wide range of great books selling like hotcakes.
The speakers, Phil Johnson, A.B. Bishop and Loretta Childs, were popular and attracted good audiences.
Visitors told us that they loved the experience, loved the displays, loved buying plants and were also pleased to be able to have a break for lunch or Devonshire tea provided so ably by the Scouts.
With some good weather for the weekend, and better numbers than in previous years coming through the door, the Expo this year was a definite success.
Thanks to Hume Bricks & Pavers Pty Ltd for their generous sponsorship, which makes the event more viable to continue. Thankyou also to all our other sponsors for gifts for our speakers/workshop presenters, and for door prizes: Kuranga Native Nursery, Bunnings Eltham, Seasol International, Grow Better Garden Products, Weekend Notes and 3CR. Also thanks to all the Real Estate agents for providing the 7 roadside boards to advertise our event: Jellis Craig Doncaster & Ivanhoe branches, Barry Plant Diamond Creek, Morrison Kleeman Eltham, and Buckingham & Company Greensborough. Although it wasn’t needed, thanks to Philip Webb RE for the marquee for the verandah in case of bad weather.
Last, but not least, thanks to all APS members, for the planning beforehand, helping on Friday, and indeed over the whole weekend.
Joanne Cairns and Jill Lulham
Garden Visit to Yallaroo Gardens in Narre Warren South – May 2017
This was a combined visit with APS Maroondah Group to Bob and Dot O’Neill’s garden on a fine day in late May. Bob and Dot are currently the Correa Study Group leaders. Their previous garden was the magnificent, expansive Katandra Gardens of 8 acres in Wandin North, also a B&B. Their present garden is smaller but no less impressive, for their 6 years of work there. Soil was introduced to raise the garden beds, providing better drainage for the plants on the flat block. They prefer hand watering, as plants in the same garden beds always have differing water requirements. Bob propagates many of his plants from cutting material and plants given to him by APS members and other friends. Below are just some of the plants seen flowering on the day.
Native Plant & Book Sale – Sept 2016
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Hurstbridge Wattle Festival Yarra Yarra Display of Acacias (wattles)
Some images from our display of approximately 40 species of Acacia at the festival 28th August 2016.
May Plant Sale 2016
1st Sunday in May: As you can see we had great weather this year, and a big crowd. An outdoor event, it is on, come rain or shine, and is a great time to be planting in your garden.
Australian Plants Expo September 2015
2nd weekend in September: Our biggest event of the year brings out the crowds. It’s all undercover at the Eltham Community & Reception Centre, which is sadly not available to us in 2016. There’s a huge flower display from all our members’ gardens, at least 6 different plant stalls, and other exhibits from Birds Australia, APS Maroondah, and more.
Garden visits / Excursions 2015-16
Mill Park garden April 2016
This private garden is packed full of interesting plants, and plenty to enjoy all year round. There are even plantings underneath the clothesline 🙂 The owner has many in hanging baskets and pots as well, in order to fit everything in.
Monash University gardens February 2016:
This was a joint APS Vic group excursion. A guided tour was provided by the Head Gardener, and the history behind its development explained.
Australian Plants Society Yarra Yarra Inc. 