Monthly Meetings

Elkhorn Ferns

Rod Noonan

Julianne introduced Rod Noonan who is a Committee member for the Royal Horticultural Society, the President of the Williamstown Garden Club, and a member of Sunshine, Footscray and Keilor Garden Clubs. Rod’s specialties are Elk horns and tomatoes; he has lived in Newport near the power station for...

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Cymbidium Orchids

John Guario

Our guest speaker was our own John Guario, who explained that his love affair with orchids started when he was given a few plants by his Mother-in-law, who explained that they are very hard to grow.  Later, he attended an orchid show, which made him aware of their potential and beauty. ...

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Back Care in the garden

Shirley Miskimmin

Shirley Miskimmin was a physiotherapist in Riversdale Road opposite Through Road before she retired.  She now keeps busy as a grandmother and with many other activities. What causes back pain in the garden?  Bending down to pick things up – we must bend the knees with a straight back....

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Great Gardens of England and Wales - Part 3

Suzanne Collings

Suzanne presented the last of her series of three talks – speaking of modern trends in gardening and the adaptations made by gardeners to ensure sustainability. The growth of the middle class has resulted in smaller gardens, close to the house, with an increased range of plants available.  The...

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Great Gardens of England and wales - Part 2

Suzanne Collings

Suzanne introduced us to Chatsworth House, which is set on the Derwent River, moved by Capability Brown and is home to the Duke of Derbyshire, built in 1687.  The most stunning feature is the water cascade, built in 1696.  The head gardener was Joseph Paxton, who built the Crystal Palace...

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Great gardens of england and wales - Part 1

Suzanne Collings

Suzanne Collings is an avid garden lover who has visited lots of gardens in the UK over many years. She began her talk with ‘What is a garden?’ It is enclosed, has input from man, is a work of art, is closely aligned with architecture, important in design, makes use of the landscape and lastly is a...

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Cultivation and uses of herbs

Lynne McCall

Lynne McCall has over a thousand varieties of herbs at her Lilydale Herb Farm. Lynne came across the farm on her birthday two years ago, when it was about to close down. Lynne took us through some of the herbs used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Herbs are easy to grow and use – they are the...

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RHSV Hanging Baskets at the Melbourne Flower Show

Jennifer and Don Rickerby

Jennifer and Don Rickerby from the RHSV came at short notice to speak to us. Firstly, we were greatly entertained by Don, who told us some amazing facts about and uses for the humble cucumber. Don explained that cucumbers are not only packed with vitamins and minerals, they also have many practical...

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Cacti and Succulents

Attila Kapitany

Jane introduced Attila Kapitany, who visited the club some year’s prior. Attila had brought his lovely wife Michelle, and he explained that even though he works with cacti and succulents all day in his business, he still looks forward to coming home and dealing with his own plants which are...

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Australian Botanic Gardens

Paul Thompson

Paul Thompson is a landscape gardener, who loves plants.  He became involved with the Cranbourne Botanic Garden 16 years ago.  Cranbourne has exclusively native plants.   When the Royal Botanic Gardens were established in the 19th century, it cost the government...

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