Monthly Meetings

Azaleas and Other Plants

John

John had very kindly helped us out at the last minute, as the one previously booked was not available.  John’s nursery ‘Paradise Gardens’ is on Burwood Highway.    John has been growing azaleas for 50 years.  He explained that now that they have finished flowering, is a...

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Wildflowers of Englands Coast to Coast Path

Julianne Stoyles

Today our speaker was Julianne who showed us many photographs of her walking trip across England last year. The 192 mile coast to coast path was devised in the 1970’s by Alfred Wainwright and takes 13 days to complete, passing through several National Parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales...

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Healthy Gardens and People

Helen Tuton

Helen Tuton, from Sustainable Gardening Australia, is a qualified soil scientist and horticulturalist.  Helen explained that soil is a living, breathing organism and its health needs to be maintained.  Clay is easier to work with than sandy soil as it holds water and nutrients well....

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Beautiful Garden Tours

Judy Vanrenan

Our guest speaker was Judy Vanrenan, founder of Botanica World Discoveries, which has been established for 10 years.  The company focuses on botanically themed trips visiting beautiful sights throughout the world.  Judy has also established ‘Wiltshire’, a garden in Dunkeld, near Hamilton...

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Salvias

Lyndi Garnett

Today’s speaker, Lyndi Garnett, belongs to the Salvia Study Group of Victoria, which is associated with the Herb Society, which started in 1989. A gentleman from Geelong named Bill Whitehead, who has donated salvias to the Geelong Botanic Gardens, established the Group. The group maintains a salvia...

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Craft and Flowers - Demonstration

Pat Wilson

Pat Wilson explained that she qualified as a Professor of Ikebana over a five and a half year period.  This is a recognised qualification and very expensive to study, being run by men in Japan, where there are four major schools, along with many smaller ones. Pat provided members with a very...

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Ferns

Don Fuller

Don Fuller has been a member of the Fern Society of Victoria since 1989 and describes himself as an enthusiast.  Don explained there are two groups of plants, seed bearing and non-seed bearing which are plants that don’t flower, including algae, mosses and ferns.  Ferns reproduce from...

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Boroondara Heritage Gardens

Bernadette Carroll

Bernadette Carroll spoke of the eight heritage gardens in Boroondara and explained that these gardens reflect social history, provide a sense of place for the community, display seasonal change, provide a respite from the build environment, are a source of civic pride and display and preserve...

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Flowers and Gardens of Japan

Cedric Foster

Cedric Foster presented lovely slides featuring beautiful gardens and plants from Japan.   He advised that many roses originated in Japan, where they still grow wild – they are the same varieties as used for rootstock.  Cedric then showed slides of lovely roses and impatiens, taken in...

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Gardens of 'Heide'

Samantha Vawdry

Samantha Vawdry, (Heide’s Public Programs Co-ordinator), explained that the Museum of Modern Art at Heide comprises a public gallery, three exhibition spaces and a sculpture park and gardens with heritage overlay.  The State Government funds 40% of the operating costs, and the remainder...

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