Leader's Report

Around the Garden

Our garden is looking quite good at present despite a severe lack of rain in recent weeks. Although I have had to resort to watering from the tank on a weekly basis as some of our established plants went the way of those who become too thirsty. I guess if I sat out in the hot summer sun without a regular drink I would also very quickly perish! It is unfortunate to have to pull out much loved plants and place them on the impending bonfire however that is the nature of all gardens – ever changing.

At present the Grevilleas and the Correas are putting on a good show although there are still some Anigozthanthos varieties, some Banksias, Croweas, the Lambertia formosa and others putting on a show. Grevilleas are our favourite group and as I have stated in the past, responsible for my initial interest in Australian Natives. A plant I have probably mentioned in previous reports is Grevillea “Peaches and Cream”. It has been flowering for a long time and is absolutely superb at present (see photo) – probably our favourite Grevillea, although in these days, unlike when I first started with my natives, there is such a variety to choose from. It is amazing to Susan and I just how well the plants are doing in the area in which the Grevillea “Peaches and Cream” exists. It was, until a couple of years ago, the site of a huge Eucalypt and little would grow in the vicinity. We had the tree removed, stump ground, applied about 3-4 inches of “Euchi” mulch and then a layer of pine bark. All plants in the new garden are thriving.

Correa varieties, including Correa alba, “White Tips”, “Federation Bells”, “Dusky Bells” and others we have in plentiful supply around the garden are adding to the overall colour. Our “Seaside Daisies” are a picture at present – Brachyscome multifida, I think. Anyway one patch is definitely a “sea” of flowers. I have never seen a more prolific example of the species! I have included a photo to prove my point.

Well it is time for all you monkeys to climb trees! Sorry, I am not being rude, just reminding everyone to hunt down their Grevillea robusta seeds in preparation for our crop to use as stock later in the year under Harold’s expert guidance.

Grevillea Peaches and Cream

Brachyscome multifida (Seaside Daisy)

I had my “eye” on several trees I had noticed about the district when they were in flower. One particular tree that would have been easy to harvest for seed had been cut down! Several others have been imprisoned behind a cyclone fence! It is also amazing how they stand out while flowering and then “disappear” when you go looking to see if they have seed. My fallback was the two trees in the school yard at work. One had looked particularly suitable when in flower. Alas, I would have had to have been a giraffe to collect seed from the first tree as the lower branches had been “pruned” by enthusiastic children or overzealous tree loppers! On to tree number two after work one afternoon. Yes! With much tip-toeing I was able to reach a number of the lower branches. To my dismay, many pods had already burst open dispersing their contents however with some help I think I managed quite a good collection. While doing my stretches I heard a voice form below, “What cha doin’ Mr Stephens, collectin’ acorns?” I went to great lengths to explain what I was doing and to give a reason for my antics. I proffered an open pod, one about to release its seed and finally the seed itself. “We’ll help ya Mr Stephens”, was the enthusiastic response. And with that two eager children proceeded to scour the ground and collect seeds, many of which had “escaped” as soon as I had moved the branches in my attempt to remove the pods. It just goes to prove that there are some good kids and that you collectors had better get busy or all your seed will have disappeared.

Oliver, the Uni student I was helping, has completed his study of the local Banksias and has found it appears that fire does not make a lot of difference to the regeneration process. Apparently there are young plants coming on in the old Banksia forest areas and he has found further information to support this theory. I hope to catch up with Oliver soon to obtain more detailed information.

Thanks to the efforts of Carolyn Simpson our banner is being printed as I write, I think. I received an email from the printers for the final approval to print. Everything was great except that the logos read “Golden Grevillia, Grevillea chrysophaea”. Hm! I emailed back an explanation that the two Grevilleas should be the same spelling – with an “ea”. Email came back for final approval to print. Logos read, “Golden Grevilliea, Grevillea chrysophaea”! Oh dear. Emailed again with a lengthy explanation, that I had interpreted and deciphered by a colleague to ensure it made perfect sense. Email came back for final approval. YES!!!

Members who have the Internet need to check out our web site as Mark has apparently been busy altering the design. It is spectacular – love the faded Grevillea chrysophaea image behind the text and the new layout. Well done Mark.

Last Meeting – Members Night and Slide Show

Thanks to all those patient members who were “left out in the cold” at the last meeting. I apologise profusely once again however I do have a good excuse. My advice is never to offer to shift your children, particularly in Melbourne. I can tell you I “hit the sack” pretty hard that night!

Despite our late start we had a productive meeting. With much discussion/input from members and some excellent “Chalky” skills from Col we set up the ’08 programme. I hope everyone enjoyed the slide show. I know I always enjoy looking back on the wonderful outings we have experienced over the years. I hope there are many more. If anyone has photos of past outings, I am sure that Marg would like copies as she has talked of putting together a photographic “history” of the group.

I guess that is enough waffle from me. See ya in the long grass (native) at the nex meetin’. (Bring a stalk and ya straw hat.)

Inverloch Weekend

Current plans are

Meet at Railway Reserve (opposite shops at the start of the Rail Trail) at Boolarra at 9.00 am Saturday 12th.

Travel to South Gippsland for garden and Aust. Plant Nursery visits.  You will need to bring a picnic lunch.

Arrive Inverloch mid afternoon.  Accommodation at Chamber's and Ingram's.  BYO sheets or sleeping bags and pillows.

Shared Saturday evening dinner—each person/couple asked to bring a casserole to share and either some  predinner nibbles or a dessert.

BYO drinks.  Tea, coffee provided.

Sunday breakfast - cereal and toast available.

Sunday lunch - to be decided.  Committee suggest each person could contribute a small amount (around $5-$10) to cover costs.

 Sunday program- options include- Local Walks, Melaleuca Native Nursery, Caves Beach, Flat Rocks and Dinosaur Dig Area and the Environment Centre, Koonwarra Bush, RACV Resort Plantings.

We will need to know how many people require accommodation by end of April 10th ASGAP Meeting.

Marilyn Ingram (For the Planning Committee)

Plants in My Garden

By Mike Beamish

Beaufortia
sparsa

Species: Beaufortia sparsa
Family:Myrtaceae
Derivation:

Beaufortia: Named after Mary Somerset (1630-1714), Duchess of Beaufort, who had botanic gardens at Badminton and Chelsea in the UK.

sparsa: From the Latin, sparsus, meaning scattered, referring to the leaves, which are not typically opposite, as they are in other species within the genus.

Common Name: Swamp or Gravel Bottlebrush
Distribution: Usually found around the margins of swamps in the south-west corner of Western Australia.
Description:A medium-sized to tall shrub, often sparsely branched, reaching over 3 metres in height and 2 metres in breadth in suitable conditions. Leaves are light green, ovate, up to 12mm long and crowded irregularly along the stems. Flowering occurs in summer and autumn with brilliant vermilion bottlebrush-like spikes to 7cm long and 6cm in diameter. Stamens are united in 5 distinct bundles or filaments for most of their length, only separating into individual organs close to their tips.
Opinion: After living on the front fence on the northern side of the block for the last few years, my plant has finally decided to show its wares, flowering for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It is still only about 50cm tall, mainly because it refuses to stand up straight. Early in its life it was probably struggling for light as its neighbours tried to overgrow it, so its main stem is virtually lying flat on the ground for about 30cm before some branches gain a little bit of altitude. I haven’t attempted to lift and stake it for fear of causing damage to the trunk or the roots and it seems happy enough, so it can continue to look after itself.
Despite its name and its natural habitat around the edges of swamps, the literature reckons it prefers well drained soils in cultivation. At the moment, it probably is well drained where it lives, but we will have to wait and see what happens if we eventually get one of those long, cold, wet winters that we haven’t had for quite a while. It is surrounded by relatives from the Myrtle family (Callistemon, Melaleuca, Calytrix, Regelia) all of which have done well for a decade, so I reckon it will be alright. Propagation can be achieved from seed or cuttings. I can attest to the latter, as my plant is a cutting from a plant I found growing along the fenceline of the Hazelwood Cemetery a few years ago. I don’t know if it is still there after all these dry years, one day I’ll stop and have a look.

Sources: Wrigley & Fagg - Bottlebrushes, Paperbarks and Tea Trees.