Information

We have a passionate interest in the environment in general and native plants in particular. We also have an interest in railways and particularly railway history. We first encountered Henry Deane (1847-1924) when we read about the now abandoned Wolgan Valley Railway in the upper Blue Mountains of NSW. Henry was engineer-in-charge of construction in the early 1900’s. At the same time, he was collecting botanical specimens.

We find that the internet is a treasure trove of botanical and horticultural information. A recent search brought to light a biography of Leo Hodge, christened Leomin, the originator of many Grevillea hybrids, all prefixed ‘Poorinda’ after his property in the Gippsland area of Victoria. The name is taken from an aboriginal word meaning ‘light’.

The idea of a cosy cottage garden, with herbaceous borders of annuals and perennials against a backdrop of shrubs and (maybe) a small tree or two, is becoming popular again especially as gardens become smaller. Remember, plants that self-seed in a garden can easily become weeds in nearby bushland. By introducing native plants, especially local (i.e. indigenous) species, you will reduce your garden’s weed potential and make it more attractive to flora and fauna.

One of most frequent question I receive is how I manage to grow Thelychiton kingianum and Thelychiton speciosum orchids on my rocks and ‘apparently’ in the ground. These orchids are really very hardy and many are killed by too much kindness and water.

A few years ago I had quite a few native snails in one part of my northern Sydney garden and now they are gone. A pity as the species I had was carnivorous and fed on the introduced garden snails (Cantareus asperses, which are from Europe). I have no idea where they came from or where they have gone. Maybe it is because I now have no introduced snails in my garden and as a result no food for the native snails anymore.

As I always wanted a small pond/water feature, I created a dry creek bed leading from the rock to a small stainless steel 47 litre laundry tub. To make it all appear ‘natural’ I did the following:

This article by Jeff first appeared in GardenDrum in 2015, for the Australian Plants Society NSW. I have been growing Australian orchids in my Sydney native garden for nearly 30 years. Every year, I get a stunning display that wows everyone who sees it.

For many years, I have been growing native plants, reading gardening books, listening to garden gurus, advising people on what native plants to grow in their gardens and listening to other people’s gardening problems. During this time, I have concluded that there is only one important garden principle that one must try to follow

The Northern Tablelands of NSW is a challenging area to establish gardens. Winters are usually characterised by a series heavy frosts throughout the season. This presents problems particularly if you wish to cultivate native plants as many come from milder, coastal and more temperate areas.

During a recent trip to Europe, I noticed a lot of quite large, home-made bee ‘hotels’. On my return, I undertook a bit of research and I found some excellent information on different home-made ‘hotels’ in the EU and UK.

While rhododendrons are very popular plants in Australian gardens, there are only two species that we can truly call our own. They are both Vireya Rhododendrons – rainforest species found in mountainous tropical areas of SE Asia, New Guinea and North Queensland. These

The Powerful Owl is Australia’s largest apex nocturnal predator owl, it is present along the Eastern Coast and is listed as vulnerable in NSW. The owl is a territorial obligate hollow nester

I took a trip about this time last year to Kakadu National Park which had many items of interest, both flora and fauna. (All photos included here were taken by myself.) This is a summary of the talk that I gave to the Sutherland group of APS recently. Check out our District Group page.

We recently received this picture from Bruce Duncan, who runs an olive farm in Mokine, Western Australia (Clackline Valley Olives).

This is Cymbidium suave, or Snake Orchid, usually found in stumps and in forks of gum trees but this one was at ground level, so got some easy pictures. Apparently, once the pods turns brown the kernel can be eaten raw and has a similar taste to peanuts. The juice from the stems was once used as a glue and applied directly to wounds (particularly burns). Everyone knows the Sydney Rock Orchid, Dendrobium speciosum, but more unusual to find one with seed pods on it. These were growing in full sun on an exposed rock shelf in the Royal National Park, Sydney. Tough plants.  

Over 130 people attended our quarterly gathering at Coffs Harbour in September. Here are some of the beautiful plants and vistas on show.

I have always been fascinated with Grass Trees and they are such an iconic emblem of our bush. Those of you who have travelled to and from Inverell and Guyra via the Ensmore and Tingha Roads will have seen some great specimens (see left) along the northern section of this route which winds among the hills and crosses Paradise Creek and the Macintre River in its upper reaches.

Mark Henley (Newcastle Group) has shared the great work being done by Top End birdwatcher and natural history and cultural guide, Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow.

Here are the visitors to our garden this month – the King Parrot, Powerful Owl, and Eastern Spinebill.

My predominantly native Hunter Valley garden is feeling the pressure of no rain. While it looks quite beautiful in the misty morning, the mist hasn’t translated into rain.

At the recent ANPSA conference in Tasmania, it was decided to provide regular updates on ANPSA, so people better understand its role in growing and conserving native plants. Here is the first such update, an introduction to what ANPSA does, from President, Riita Boevink.

Several people have asked me recently to write down the methods I use to grow flannel flowers.
 I have had some success with them so here is my story.

Asmall group of Newcastle members had a very pleasant visit to Boongala Nursery run by Mal and Jenny Johnston in Kenthurst, Sydney.
This garden and nursery has been an institution for many years for those interested in Australian plants and is well worth a visit.

Ever seen a ‘zoo of trees?’ Kevin Stokes from Newcastle Group is fascinated by eucs and suggests a visit to the Currency Creek Eucalyptus Arboretum in South Australia can be a rewarding experience.

Three members of APS NSG went “on holidays” and ventured to Loftus on the balmy Saturday morning.

Last week, I joined some other volunteers on the Curra Moors track in the Royal National Park for some track trimming activities. This track goes through a lot of the burnt areas from the January fires which ‘destroyed’ over 2,000 hectares in late January.

Three members of APS NSG went “on holidays” and ventured to Loftus on the balmy Saturday morning. We arrived just in time to join Rhonda leading the group on the guided tour of the beautiful Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve.

On a beautiful autumn afternoon last weekend, we headed off to Callala Bay to seek out the Callala Creek Reserve boardwalk. The boardwalk has been recently reopened after being damaged by fires at the end of 2016 and sits between Callala Bay and Callala Beach taking in the Callala Creek salt marsh.

As many members may know, Noel Rosten of North Shore Group was tragically killed on 26 February when hit by an out of control 4WD while checking the letter box.

Warren and Gloria have been long term members of the Society, first joining the Blue Mountains group and then moving to Armidale in 1977. Warren held multiple positions over the coming 30 years where Warren took a position in the Dept of Botany at the University of New England.

At the Australian Plants Society NSW AGM on 26 May, Angela Speering was awarded life membership of the Society.

We are very lucky to have such talented gardeners as well as such talented photographers. Here are some beautiful images taken by Kevin Stokes, of Newcastle Group, of the garden of Ian Cox that a number of us visited on the weekend.

Central Coast Group’s speaker in May was Nick Carson, an Environmental Education Officer at Central Coast Council where he educates the community about the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary. Nick spoke passionately about the importance of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary and catchment area. This article was first published in the May issue of the Central Coast Australian Plants Society NSW newsletter. 

John Arney from Sutherland group led a recent walk in Kamay NP at Kurnell and pointed out these plants. Apparently the juvenile leaves on Commersonia hermanniifolia, (previously Rulingia hermanniifolia), had some people wondering if this was a new weed.

Here is a selection of wattles blooming at Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens. Images by Barbara Melville.

One of our plant experts, Dick Turner, has responded: You have a case moth larva sheltering inside the protection that it has made for itself. The larva or caterpillar uses the cover for protection while it moves about foraging on leaves.

Here are some stunning images from Colin Lawrence of the Newcastle group, who captured the lorikeet enjoying its fill of the dwarf eucalyptus. This tree lived in a pot for a a couple of years and then was planted out 5 and a half years ago. It certainly looks happy!

In February 2018, I was bemoaning the loss of some long-established plants in my predominantly native garden in the Hunter Valley. We’d had far less than average rainfall and there was no end in sight to the drought. Along with vicious 45-degree days, the resilience of the garden, and me, was being tested!

This time we purchased a Greenlife Mini Drop Over Greenhouse from a well known supermarket. It is designed to either fit over a raised garden bed or stand alone. We have tied ours down to a metal bench. The pots and punnets sit in plastic basins that are half full of sand. The sand is kept moist and the pots and punnets sprayed once a day.

In November last year, the Southern Highlands APS group enjoyed an informative and passionately delivered presentation by John Creighton, AKA Wombat Man, who talked to them about the important work carried out by volunteer carers at Wombat Care Bundanoon.

MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION Miss Merle Kay THOMPSON, South Bowenfels NSW 2790For service to the community through a range of organisations.

This article by Dr Matt Pye* recently appeared in the Australian Flora Foundation’s January 2019 Research Matters and is reproduced with permission. 

This article was contributed by Andrew Pengelly of the Hunter Valley Group and appeared in their newsletter, Gumleaves. 

One of our members, Kevin Stokes from Newcastle, has brought to our attention a new book called Native Terrestrial Orchids of the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, by Lynda McPherson.

Interested in bioluminescent fungi? It is about this time of the year these fascinating fungi appear in the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens especially after the rain of recent times. The fruiting bodies should be appearing soon and there are several people keeping a lookout. If any appear, walks will be organised.

One of the stalwarts of East Hills Group, Hugh Stacy, died on 5 March 2019, his 83rd birthday. Hugh was a very active and valued member of the Australian Plants Society and its forerunner, the Society for Growing Australian Plants, for many years.

Enjoy some of the entries in the many classes of the Australian plants competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, April 2019. Thanks to all the entrants, particularly Central Coast, East Hills and Sutherland Groups, who together created a colourful display on the diversity and beauty of Australian native plants, despite the time of year. All the competition results are here, searchable by exhibitor.

While attending the APS NSW gathering in November 2018 hosted by Sutherland Group I had the pleasure of visiting Joan Zande’s garden and was very impressed at the application of so many design principles in this relatively small residential garden reconstructed after 40 years as a collaborative effort between Joan and an obviously very talented landscape contractor, Greg Hopcroft.

Congratulations to Lloyd Hedges of Menai Group who was awarded Life membership at the APS NSW Annual General Meeting on 18 May 2019. Menai Group’s nomination of Lloyd is reproduced here.

Congratulations to Barry Lees of North Shore Group who was awarded Life membership at the APS NSW Annual General Meeting on 18 May 2019. Barry’s love and respect for our native plants is contagious and he has inspired many others to share his passion. Here’s North Shore Group’s nomination of Barry.

For those who also have this plant, the fruit are ripe when they just come off the plant easily when you pull lightly and I read that they do not ripen off the tree. You can freeze them if you have a huge crop.

Nineteen people joined the ANPSA Council teleconference on 14 May. Each time the time differences bring home the vastness of Australia as a country.

Nineteen people joined the ANPSA Council teleconference on 14 May. Each time the time differences bring home the vastness of Australia as a country. As the member societies are autonomous bodies allowing for differences, these meetings of delegates and elected office bearers are an opportunity to share information and find common ground.

The use of appliances to modify temperature, such as an air-conditioner or heater, impacts on expenses and on the environment. However, their use can be minimised or even made unnecessary, by planting deciduous native trees, Melia azedarach along the north of the house.

Lawrie Smith is the leader of the Garden Design Study Group. In the latest newsletter, he shares photos of some of the Australian collections he’s found in other countries. Stunning images, for our enjoyment. Thanks Lawrie. More information on the ANPSA Study Group can be found here.

Here are some wonderful recipes for bush foods, developed by Colleen and Geoff. Just a word of warning first: Be sure plants are accurately identified. Exercise caution with unfamiliar foods. Although the following are usually considered safe, adverse reactions in particular individuals cannot be ruled out.

The Autumn 2019 issue of Australian Plants was mailed to members and subscribers in late May. Members of the Australian Plants Society NSW receive Australian Plants four times a year as part of their membership.

What do Acacia ‘Winter Gold’, Acacia ‘Winter Flame’, the Correa ‘Winter Bells’ collection, Eremophila ‘Winter Gold’, Grevillea ‘Winter Delight’, Philotheca ‘Winter Rouge’ and Syzygium ‘Winter Lights’ have in common? Yes, they are all named for a winter feature – either their flowers or foliage.

Dictionary of Botanical Names by the late Don Perrin is an updated edition of Don’s earlier book on the derivations of Australian plant names, now with 4,500 entries.

This chain of islands developed as the Pacific Plate moved slowly northwestward over a hotspot in the Earth’s mantle at a rate of 50 km per million years. The southeast island is still volcanically active, whereas the islands on the northwest end of the archipelago are older and typically smaller, due to longer exposure to erosion.

The latest newsletter from the Australian Flora Foundation is now available here. The foundation is a charity fostering scientific research into the biology and cultivation of the Australian flora.

The following notes are based on Maria Hitchcock’s book A Celebration of Wattle: Australia’s National Emblem (2012). The book is a revised and updated edition of Maria’s earlier book Wattle (AGPS 1991), which grew from a small booklet sent out to schools in 1988.

Many people live in smaller units and apartments with balconies or have a small area for a garden and growing Australian plants in containers is a great way to have a small garden of native plants. Growing in containers also allows gardeners to have plants that otherwise won’t tolerate local conditions.

Alan Fairley explains why Wattle Day is 1 September. This article first appeared in Doryanthes, the newsletter of the Oatley Flora and Fauna Society, and is reproduced with Alan’s permission.

Here’s a selection of spring photos from Lloyd Hedges of the garden maintained by Menai Group at the Illawong Fire Station garden in southern Sydney.

Barbara Melville from Central Coast Group recently asked our Facebook for suggestions for walks to see spring wildflowers. Here are some of the responses. APS Groups also have walks in their local area, so check the Group activities and newsletters.

I’ve been growing eremophilas for close on 25 years and have been delighted with the results. In well-drained sunny positions eremophilas usually reward me for my efforts.

very two years two medals are given in association with the ANPSA Biennial Conference, one in the professional and one in the amateur category. “Amateur” is not intended to signify less valued or amateurish. On the contrary, the recipients invariably are people who have unstintingly given their time and made significant contribution in the area of their interest and expertise.

The Winter 2019 issue of Australian Plants was mailed to members and subscribers in late August. Members of the Australian Plants Society NSW receive Australian Plants four times a year as part of their membership.

Many members enjoyed the APS NSW get together hosted by Newcastle Group on 17–18 August 2019 with a program of highlights of the area. Thanks to Newcastle Group including President Mark Abell and Secretary Maree McCarthy and all the volunteers who made the weekend so successful. Photos by Kevin Stokes, Newcastle Group (unless noted).

This is a remarkable publication, given that it provides detailed and authoritative botanical monographs of 54 trees and shrubs that are endemic to the Hunter region, each one of which is accompanied by a full-page scientific illustration.

Ralph Cartwright from APS Sutherland Group reports sightings in his Engadine backyard in early spring.

Virginia McIntosh from APS Central Coast Group reports on creating a garden at Phillip House, Kariong. Virginia was the coordinator of the working bee.

This year the Australian Flora Foundation approved grants for the following projects – all involving restoration of the much-degraded Australian environment.

Warren promoted Australian plants continually throughout his life. He had a fortnightly column in the local newspaper, the Armidale Express, for over 30 years. He also wrote articles for other papers.

In the frigid beginning of August, APS Blue Mountains Group ventured to the high country to discover the extant native vegetation. We were not disappointed. Although this area has been farmed for nearly 170 years, this has occurred on the most fertile land leaving the agriculturally barren sandstone country and hills to the bush.

On a recent APS Sutherland Group walk of the Curra Moors Track in the Royal National Park, we found several large, colourful flowers, such as waratahs and Gymea Lilies.

From the start the author David Watson outlines that mistletoes are part of the natural environment, are not toxic, are not a weed, and are part of the Australian flora. Many books have the title of a genus or a group of plants, but only mention part of that group. This book contains comprehensive information on all 47 species of mistletoe that occur in Southern Australia…

This article by Jennifer Farrer first appeared in APS Parramatta Hills Group newsletter Calgaroo. Part 2 is on commercial uses of medicinal native plants.

This story is based on an article by Lindy Monson, Bushcare volunteer, in the newsletter North Sydney Bushcare, Summer 2015, issue 28, and updated for 2019. Harry Loots has won awards for his native garden in 2015, 2016 and 2019.

This article by Jennifer Farrer first appeared in APS Parramatta Hills Group newsletter Calgaroo. Part 1 is on early colonial uses of medicinal native plants.

I was introduced to this attractive plant, Prostanthera scutellarioides, accidentally. In fact, it introduced itself. I was at the John Benyon Park at Kenthurst and here it was, in this unlikely place one spring, covered in flowers and looking brilliant! Of course, I took home some cuttings.

Dan Clarke presented on his new roadside verge garden at the APS Sutherland Group September 2019 meeting and wrote this article which appeared in the APS Sutherland October 2019 newsletter. Look out for updates as the plants grow.

Brian Roach, a member of APS North Shore Group, runs Westleigh nursery from his home and has an open garden and plant sales twice a year. Brian wrote this article after the Gardening Australia team visited and filmed in 2018. The segment aired on 1 November 2019.

IndigiGrow welcomes volunteers at our nursery which is a not-for-profit nursery and social enterprise of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation. Please check our website for more information: www.indigigrow.com.au

Judy Smith explains the content of the book and the significance of its timing.

Olive Pink was born in Hobart in 1884 and learned to love the Australian bush and its unique flora on rambles with her father on Mt Wellington. Her life was influenced by the Quaker philosophy of social justice she encountered at the private Girls High School in Hobart, run by a Quaker family. This influence can be seen in her later activism on behalf of Aboriginal people, which made her an unpopular figure in government circles.

The Spring 2019 issue of Australian Plants was mailed to members and subscribers in late November. Members of the Australian Plants Society NSW receive Australian Plants four times a year as part of their membership.

The number one priority of our trip to the Blue Mountains on 7th September was to hear Liz Benson’s talk about the Wollemi Pine at the Wentworth Falls History Centre. While we were there, as well as absorbing the views around the falls, we wanted to do some plant exploring on Kings Tableland, and also take a look at the location of Grevillea ‘Lawson Queen’, discovered by Pip Gibian in 1988.

I’ve been growing a Hoya carnosa in a concrete trough for several years, and each year in the warmer months it puts on a nice display of pink flowers over a long period.

The Rudder garden at Maroubra recently won the Native Garden Section of the Randwick Council Garden Competition for the 16th year in a row. Kim wrote to share his own Wollemi pine, after missing our November 2019 quarterly gathering on the Wollemi pine.

The 2019/20 summer of bushfires has had devastating impacts, with lives and homes lost, communities disrupted and millions of hectares of native vegetation burnt. Fire is a natural part of the Australian environment, and plants can recover from fire, but fire behaviour and impacts are changing.

The latest newsletter from the Australian Flora Foundation is now available here. The foundation is a charity fostering scientific research into the biology and cultivation of the Australian flora. 
Research Matters, No. 31, January 2020 announces projects being funded by the foundation and prizes awarded:

With our increasingly hotter and drier conditions and water restrictions in many locations, new approaches are needed even for gardeners used to native plants. Here are some tips to consider for hotter and drier conditions in general and for more very hot days.

Three APS NSW members were featured in the media in January 2020 – Conny Harris, Greg Bourke and Rhonda Daniels. See their stories

In November 2019 Lesley Waite and I went on a magical walk to the summit of Mount Banks. The objectives of our visit were twofold – to indulge in the beautiful upper Blue Mountains flora, and to experience the magnificent surroundings and views.

Congratulations to Margaret Baker who was awarded Environmental Citizen of the Year at Blue Mountains Council’s Australia Day Awards in January 2020.

After the damage from our bushfire season to many properties throughout NSW, homeowners are thinking about replanting their gardens, often while waiting for longer-term building works. The APS NSW office received an inquiry about advice on fire-resistant plants for people buying plants to restore gardens which had burnt.

One of the valuable benefits I found when I joined the Parramatta/Hills Group was that I could mingle with experienced members. From them I could often pick up gems of wisdom.
Here are some examples. Be ruthless. Probably the most valuable piece of advice I learnt was from Ross Doig. It was just two words: “be ruthless”. This was in relation to native gardens of course!

Less time being out and about and more time at home to protect community health from COVID-19 is a chance to do some activities you might not usually have time for. Here are some ideas, both for individual members and for APS Groups to consider if you don’t want to clean the cupboards or the garage.

The Summer 2019/20 issue of Australian Plants posted to members and subscribers in mid March 2020 is a very special issue celebrating 60 years of the journal. In the Editorial and tributes, co-editor Merle Thompson OAM explains the significance: “For an organisation or its publications to survive for 60 years must be regarded as a major achievement. This issue of Australian Plants marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of Volume 1, Number 1 in December 1959”.

The Growing Illawarra Natives website showcases native plant species local to the Illawarra to encourage greater appreciation and cultivation of native plant species in the Illawarra.
 The area has a rich diversity of plant communities with over 850 indigenous plant species, many of great value in cultivation.

Life member and Menai driving force Lloyd Hedges gave host Clarence Slockee a tour of the Illawong Fire Station garden maintained by the group and demonstrated how to create smoke water to germinate flannel flowers while nursery volunteer Pam Forbes highlighted the group’s project to propagate casuarinas to provide food and habitat for glossy black cockatoos in the Southern Highlands.

I feel confident anyone reading this would agree that gardeners have a better insight than most into changing weather patterns. Whatever the reason, the hot days seem to be getting hotter and the cold days colder but it’s usually the former that presents the greater challenges in selecting the right plant for the hot spot. Enter stage right our wonderful grey-foliaged native plants.

Ralph Cartwright explains how it happened:
“I was contacted by the SMH Urban Affairs reporter, Angus Thompson, who got my contact details from the Friends of Royal page who wanted to talk to someone still bushwalking in the Royal in the time of coronavirus. We had a brief chat for quotes and he sent a veteran photographer, Peter Rae, to meet me.

Congratulations to Chris and Leigh Cousins from Hunter Valley Group who were awarded Life Membership at the APS NSW AGM, held by Zoom on 16 May 2020.

Congratulations to Ian Cox from Parramatta Hills Group who was awarded Life Membership at the APS NSW AGM, held by Zoom on 16 May 2020. This summary is based on the nomination from Parramatta Hills Group, with added detail.

What is a mulch? A mulch is any covering put over the top of the soil, such as bark, woodchips, leaves, gravel and groundcovers – even a layer of leaf litter counts as a mulch.
There are a number of different types of materials that are widely used as mulches.

For many years, I have been growing native plants and have picked up tips and tricks along the way. Here is a summary of some of my learning.
1. Planting under gum trees
To maximise your success in getting your plants to grow, plant them as close to the trunk as possible. The reasons you do this are:

Botanical names can seem initially confronting but it all makes sense when you understand the origins of the names. Many species names relate to a feature or characteristics of the plant such as the flower, leaf, fruit, seed, bark, size, shape, colour, texture, habit or habitat. Other plants are named after people or places.

Bob Ross’ mention of the Flying Duck Orchid in the October 2018 issue of Native Plants for New South Wales reminded me of a piece I wrote some years ago for the Chefs Cap: newsletter of the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden at Batemans Bay. This is an edited version.

reader recently asked for plants to discourage cats from entering the garden. The reader’s plants needed to thrive in tough conditions being southerly facing and sandy soil. Here are the plants suggested

Here are the suggestions for prickly shrubs and hedging plants from our panel of experts: Grevillea rosmarinifolia cultivars such as’Scarlet Sprite’…

When it comes to thinking about a favourite plant, I think those interested in Australian plants are very spoiled for choice. Have you ever thought about a favourite? Where would you start?

These photos, taken by the late Noel Rosten, shows the process by which the orchid, Cryptostylis erecta, is fertilised by the wasp, Lissopimpla excelsa.

One of our Newcastle members, Kevin Stokes, is a stunning macro photographer. Check out these beauties!

After our recent AGM, Dr Brett Summerell, Director Research and Chief Botanist at the Botanic Gardens and Centennial Parklands, gave a talk by Zoom and discussed the botanical work of Banks and Solander in 1770, the herbarium collection they created and its scientific importance, and the impact of the bushfires on Australia’s unique plant life.

Most gardeners will be familiar with the exotic Cymbidium and Phalanopsis orchids or maybe the native Dendrobium. However, the orchids which fascinate me are the tiny terrestrial orchids which can be found growing in the wild in the eastern and southern states of Australia.

Swapping jobs in the nation’s capital for a tree change to the high country and a shed with a view on a rural property, Fiona and Alex moved to Fitzgerald’s Mount near Bathurst in 2008. There they built a house and created a garden that flourishes despite the harsh conditions of the high country of the central tablelands of NSW. Garden at Cloudy Hill, image Fiona Johnson   The property, a greenfields site, had good dams, a good balance of cleared spaces and treed areas, about 600 mm of rain each year and mostly clay soils. At nearly 1000m above sea level, it also has four seasons. And what seasons they are, with baking heat, vicious winds, snow and frost along with those cool, mild, balmy days of spring and autumn. Stunning views of the Central Tablelands needed to be preserved, image Fiona Johnson   Design objectives Notwithstanding the challenges, Fiona and Alex set ambitious goals for their garden: • Create a garden for wildlife and aesthetics, complementing the house and landscape • Use minimal herbicides and pesticides • Actual gardening required, not just keep something tidy • Retain the views • Be a pleasant place to stroll with a glass of wine at the end of the day • Enjoy from within the house during winter hibernation. Initial plantings of exotic trees were not successful and so a switch to Australian natives was made. Fiona remembers her time as a child exploring the local bush with her mum, and has a natural affinity with natives. Her blended garden includes an extensive native garden along with an exotic cottage garden near the house and orchard. Drawing on her diary, here are Fiona’s reflections on a year in the life of her garden. SPRING – rainbows of massed colour Spring finally! Winter overstayed its welcome with unusually heavy frosts (and snow) and the cold weather lingered longer than was usual. But at last, spring is in the air bringing rainbow-like flushes of colour.   Early on, the violet/indigo pea flowers of Hovea dominate, followed by the yellow of wattles (Acacia) and billy buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum). Then a wave of white with the Philotheca wax flowers, and pinks with tea trees (Leptospermum) and bottle brushes (Callistemon). Purple makes its entry as the melaleucas awake and then the reds and golds of the kangaroo paws give us colour for months!   My favourites include the soft colours of Leptospermum ‘Jervis Bay’ and the delicate pinky white flowers of Pimelea spectabilis and Pimelea sylvestris. Among the stronger pinks, Eremophila ‘Yana Road’, Isopogon formosus and Leptospermum ‘Silver Fantasy’ standout. Eremophila ‘Yana Road’, image Fiona Johnson Leptospermum ‘Silver Fantasy’, image Fiona Johnson Earlier in the season Grevillea flexuosa had rich creamy yellow flowers with the added bonus of beautiful perfume. The Rylstone form of Persoonia chamaepitys has rich green pine-like foliage with bright orange flowers, a delightful combination.   Grevillea flexuosa, image Fiona Johnson Persoonia chamaepitys, image Fiona Johnson SUMMER – subtle colours with exquisite flowers, foliage and form    Summer was somewhat confused this year, with mild weather in January – afternoon storms, mild days and cool nights. The summer-flowering plants responded by making their show later in the season. The summer display is subtler than spring relying on foliage colour and form, and smaller, exquisite floral displays warranting close-up study, rather than the exuberant mass displays of spring. Apart from the kangaroo paws and daisies, that is.   Colour and texture in summer, image Fiona Johnson The red, orange and yellow Anigozanthos (kangaroo paw) hybrids, under-planted with yellow paper daisies (Xerochrysum bracteatum) cultivars, backed by the grey rock or green wall of the house, is striking. And once you realise just how many Eastern spinebills are foraging in the kangaroo paws at any one time, it’s hard to imagine a better result. Kangaroo paws, daisies and grass tree, image Fiona Johnson Subtle colour is found in the prostrate forms of Eremophila glabra and the Crowea exalata hybrids. The croweas range from white to deep pink, with a variety of foliage forms – fine burgundy-tinged foliage to larger, broader and brighter green leaves. Most correas are forming buds with only Correa glabra and a hybrid of Correa ‘Dusky Bells’ and Correa procumbens flowering. Derwentia arenaria, Babingtonia (syn. Baeckea) varieties and the pink, perfumed Goodenia macmillanii are lovely now. Banksia flower spikes are starting to develop, particularly on the Banksia spinulosa varieties.  Crowea ‘Georgia Rose’, ‘Festival’ and ‘Southern Star’, image Fiona Johnson Summer is the time for the persoonias. Persoonia pinifolia takes on glorious burgundy tones in the colder months, but is now a rich green with yellow flowers starting to cover the bush. Persoonia pinifolia x juniperina shrubs are covered with tiny yellow flowers. Persoonia pinifolia, image Fiona Johnson   Chores for summer are pruning, weeding and removing plants past their use by date.   AUTUMN – a riot of orange, pink and purple Autumn garden, image Fiona Johnson Summer ended dry and autumn started the same. Several large shrubs, including a promising Banksia serrata, were outcompeted for moisture by the nearby Eucalyptus macrorhyncha (red stringybark) and departed the garden. Luckily though, although dry, summer temperatures were not extreme and most of the garden managed well. April saw reasonable rainfall on the tablelands and the garden responded. The apples in the orchard are flourishing.   Apples ‘Splendour’ and ‘Sturmer Pippin’, image Fiona Johnson The banksias are lovely with a multitude of forms bursting into flower including Banksia spinulosa, Banksia ericifolia, my favourite Banksia paludosa ‘Green Cape Dwarf’ and the first ever flowers on Banksia conferta. The shrubby form of Banksia marginata marketed as ‘Bright Flowers’ was an absolute mass of small yellow flowers and bees. Banksia spinulosa ‘Black Magic’, image Fiona Johnson Banksia, image Fiona Johnson   The croweas provide a stunning display and the Correa are in full cry. Lovely Prostanthera cryptandroides with its sticky, aromatic foliage is a picture and Eucalyptus gregsoniana (Wolgan Snow Gum) and a very young Eucalyptus orbifolia (Round-leaved Mallee) are making a nice display. The Eucalyptus orbifolia is just starting to develop its minni-ritchi-like bark.   Correa ‘Jezabell’, image Fiona Johnson Correa ‘Isabell’, image Fiona Johnson Correa ‘Marian’s Marvel’, image Fiona Johnson Eremophila oppositifolia buds, image Fiona Johnson Leptospermum squarrosum (Peach-flowered Tea-tree) is in flower for the first time; all the flowers right down low in the middle of the shrub. This tea tree flowers in autumn on the old wood, unlike the majority which are spring flowerers on new wood. The purple-flowered form of Eremophila oppositifolia (Weeooka) appreciated the April rain and has budded up beautifully for a late flowering event, but the pink one has not. Why is this so? The large red Anigozanthos flavidus hybrids and the potted Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Moulin Rouge’ have started flowering again. Leptospermum squarrosum, image Fiona Johnson Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Moulin Rouge’ in pot, image Fiona Johnson Underperforming plants are removed and unfortunately a lovely pink form of Alyogyne huegelii (lilac hibiscus) which became too large for its position, had to go. My imagination may be misleading, but I wonder if we missed out on autumn this year. It feels like we went straight from summer to the onset of winter. Where are all those lovely balmy days followed by crisp nights we look forward to so much? But perhaps they are still to happen… WINTER – horizontal icy drizzle, then blankets of snow   Bendy tree, image Fiona Johnson Apparently I have a memory issue. Or an optimism one. Every year during the warmer months, against all the accepted wisdom and advice, I experiment by growing plants from places with markedly dissimilar climatic or soil conditions to my patch on the Central Tablelands in NSW. I cannot seem to remember that it really does get seriously cold here, and wet, for a long time in winter. And every winter I get a sharp reminder. Today we have strong southerly winds blowing an icy drizzle horizontally past our window: we are inside, of course, thankful for a well-insulated house and a warm fire. It is nearing mid July and a snowy 24-hour period has just followed a succession of hard frosts. Daytime temperatures have been mild so far, but we have had more seriously sub-zero overnight temperatures than usual. Nothing like a cracking frost followed by a clear sunny day to invigorate you. But perhaps not so with the garden. Thryptomene calycina, image Fiona Johnson The late kangaroo paw flower stems collapsed with the first heavy frosts in June and are now just clumps of black leaves. These I will leave until early spring when I will cut them to the ground. Hopefully they will shoot away with the warmer weather and the eastern spinebills and I will once again enjoy their extraordinary flowers. The foliage of a beautiful grafted Grevillea petrophiloides looks less vibrant than it did and I suspect is on its way out. It was worth growing though even if it was for just one year, as the sight (from my favoured chair in the lounge room) of eastern spinebills swaying on the long thin flowering stems as they foraged in the pink flowers was just a delight. Homoranthus darwinoides, image Fiona Johnson There are still flowers to be found, in addition to banksias, correas and croweas. Several Eremophila oppositifolia forms continue to put on a nice floral display although they, as well as Eremophila glabra, are starting to show the effects of the cold weather. Thryptomene calycina is definitely a winter-time favourite: dainty sprays of tiny white flowers. Myoporum montanum and Chamelaucium ciliatum are also displaying tiny white flowers now. Grevillea iaspicula and Grevillea lanigera are starting to flower well, and my poor battling Hakea laurina is showing off its very first blooms Agonis flexuosa ‘Burgundy’ and Chamelaucium uninatum ‘Moulin Rouge’, image Fiona Johnson There are many plants that are attractive during winter without flowers. The foliage of Persoonia pinifolia and Persoonia oxycoccoides x nutans become a beautiful burnished burgundy bronze, with just the occasional tiny spark of a yellow flower to add a highlight. Another delight is the tracery of veins visible in the backlit foliage of Hakea petiolaris. A walk around the garden always produces something of interest to inspect. Pots of Chamelaucium ‘Moulin Rouge’ and Agonis flexuosa ‘Burgundy’ against the pale grey wall of the house make a lovely colour combination.   Hakea laurina, image Fiona Johnson   The small exotic cottage garden has been tidied up and most herbaceous plants cut to the ground – nothing is allowed to detract from the beautiful flowers and perfume of the Flowering Apricot! It started flowering in early June and will continue still for some time. Daffodil bulbs are starting to show through the soil but won’t flower for some months yet. The dwarf potted Meyer lemon carries more fruit on it than you could expect such a tiny bush to bear and the colourful fruit certainly brightens a grey day. Most work has stopped in the garden for the winter and I am itching to get out and do some. This is when my patience is really tested. A swamp wallaby has recently tried taking up residency in the garden. Today he’s hunkered down in the lee of a Dodonaea boroniifolia, looking miserable. Trouble is, he prefers the densest of places and breaks the plants in his travels. What to do?    Our wallaby browser, image Fiona Johnson   Snow melting on Banksia spinulosa compact form, image Fiona Johnson   Another fall of snow, this time the most we have seen in years. The snow was beautiful and even now, three days later, there are patches in shady areas. Today I had a good look around the garden to see if there was any substantial damage. Not too bad really. A Prostanthera ovalifolia had fallen under the blanket of snow and snapped at the ground. An Acacia spectabilis has gone the same way. Some banksias were so heavy with flowers that they split, but should recover with some judicious pruning. Various tea trees and correas are still quite bowed over, even though the weight of the snow has been lifted. It amazes me how some trees can bend right to the ground and then, once the snow melts or falls, they apparently shake themselves off and stand upright again without any damage whatsoever.      Swamp Wallaby foraging, image Fiona Johnson   And the wallaby was back. We enjoyed watching him scraping away the snow to get at the foliage beneath. I let him stay on such a day! Now, we wait for spring again and the cycle to continue. Every year a new beginning.     Thomasia pygmaea, image Fiona Johnson   Story and images by Fiona Johnson, compiled by Heather Miles This story first appeared in GardenDrum in July

Updated seed list now available. The enterprising David Drage of Northern Beaches recently wrote to APS VIC to see if NSW members could purchase seed from them. Chris Long, the APS Vic President has let us know that they are happy to provide to APS NSW members on the same conditions as apply to APS VIC members.

Volunteers from Menai Group have grown over 7,000 casuarina seedlings to support the Glossies in the Mist project, and more are on the way.

APS NSW Life member Peter Olde was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to Australian native flora in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Frank Howarth PSM was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 for significant services to the visual arts through the museums and galleries sector. Frank, a long time member of APS NSW, was the Chief Executive and Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Trust, then director of the Australian Museum 2004–2014.

Life member Robin Davies provided friendship and support to all those she met. Her commitment to the environment and willingness to work hard to preserve it was an inspiration, as was her tenacity through a long illness. She was the mainstay of Macarthur Group, a small but dedicated group, and her perseverance has been a major factor in its survival.

Here is a presentation by Dr Greg Keighery on the biodiversity of plants in South west Western Australia

Zoom presentation with Dr Greg Keighery, identification WA plants

Plant discussions by Zoom at Sutherland meeting, June 2020

Flora of the Kimberly with Dr Russell Barrett, presenting at Menai Wildflower Group meeting. See also Part 2

Flora of the Kimberly with Dr Russell Barrett, presenting at Menai Wildflower Group meeting. See also Part 1

Demystifying Plant Names with Dr Rhonda Daniels May 2020

Australian Plant Society members and non-members from around Australia come to APS NSW as a source of expert knowledge about Australian plants. Questions arrive mainly via email, and occasionally through our Facebook and Instagram pages. I receive the questions and redirect them to our Experts Group. The group has eleven members who were recommended to me as being knowledgeable about Australian plants, and happy to share their knowledge.

• Enjoys holidays on sleeper trains
• Volunteers with the Pyjama Foundation, where she reads and plays with children in foster care
• Born in South Africa
• Trained as a librarian
• Gets paid to read books
• Won a prize for determining how to alphabetise index entries starting with the word ‘The’