Isopogon & Petrophile SG Newsletter, no. 36, April 2025
The newsletter profiles Isopogon buxifolius, a small shrub which has been declared endangered, as its distribution is severely restricted. Originating from the south coast of WA, it has ovate, stem-clasping leaves, resembling the European box (Buxus), and has a long flowering period. It is reported to grow well in Melbourne, but requires grafting in east coast summer-wet climates. It strikes easily from cuttings. Doubts over just how many plants are left in the wild gives an urgent reason to expand the cultivation of this beautiful plant.
The cooler months around April-May are the “Djeran” season of the Noongar people of south-western WA. Some isopogons and petrophiles fire up at this time, eg Isopogon cuneatus (the “Queen of isopogons”) also I. spathulatus, of which the subspecies spathulatus (pictured) enjoys damp conditions. Three petrophiles flower during Djeran : Petrophile nivea, P. antecedens and P. formanii.
The newsletter reproduces a 2008 article by Denis Wilson which describes the floral morphology of isopogons native to the Barren Ground nature reserve near Robertson, NSW. Isopogon anemonifolius and I. anethifolius are described, and are distinguished from Petrophile pedunculata which is superficially similar.
Contact : isopetstudygroup@gmail.com
Grevillea SG Newsletter, no. 130, Feb/March 2025
Member P. Cuneo describes interesting Proteaceae seen on a trip in Western NSW. Driving from Bourke to Eugonia, you journey through the Ledknapper Nature Reserve, where the vast mulga scrub gives way to red sandhills and spinifex. The spectacular orange flowers of Grevillea juncifolia ssp juncifolia are seen. G. albiflora (white spider flower) is uncommon; however G. striata (beefwood) occurs widely.
The bulk of the newsletter is devoted to articles from Victorian members discussing the beautiful grevilleas of central western Victoria. Grevillea montis-cole was destroyed in most of its wild population by a bushfire in 2024, and is now critically endangered. Mount Cole State Forest has not been converted to a national park although this had been promised, and the endangered grevillea features in a poster campaign in the interests of conservation of the area.
Grampians endemics, the beautiful G. confertifolia (illustrated), G. dimorpha and G. gariwerdensis are described in their various forms and colour variants, some from very restricted locations. Bushfires and feral deer and rabbits are cited as factors threatening or destroying populations. Some forms have survived in cultivation as a result of chance collections of cutting material.
Brian Weir presents a Travellers’ Guide to grevilleas in Victoria, with a concise description and locations in summary.
The NSW group is conducting a grafting project and this newsletter gives general guidelines for grafting as developed so far. James Indsto’s budding technique is described.
Australian Plants for Containers SG newsletter, no. 45, March 2025
Variable weather means varying your watering regime for your container plants. Hanging baskets are the most difficult to maintain. Gail Ritchie Knight of Sutton NSW reports plants doing well in self-watering hanging pots. The most prolific in flowering is Chrysocephalum “Desert Orange”, followed by Pelargonium striatellum “Edna Walling’s Popup”, Adenanthos cuneatus “Coral Carpet” and Persoonia chamaepitys (yellow prostrate geebung).
Montain rocket (Bellendena montana) is a striking shrub from Tasmania, genus Proteaceae, with red seed pods and attractive foliage. It has huge ornamental potential but only in sites with the right climatic conditions. Gabrielle Stannus reports on her experience growing it in her Tasmanian garden. It’s one of Tasmania’s alpine gems but is rarely available commercially as the seed is difficult to germinate, although cuttings give reasonably good success. In the garden, keeping it in a pot is probably best. However, replicating its alpine environment in rockeries, which give a cool root run, can give success and an authentic setting to the plant.
Study group leaders Ros and Ben Walcott report their experience in transplanting to the garden, those pot plants which have grown too large. Wollemi pines (Wollemia nobilis) and Little Brachychiton (Brachychiton bidwillii) have managed to survive, as have two Hibiscus, and two Corymbia ficifolia although the latter have not flowered so far.
Contact: roswalcott5@gmailto:roswalcott@gmail.commail.com or benwalcott5@gmail.com
Grafting SG newsletter, no. 2, March 2025
Group leader Maria Hitchcock is assembling articles to assist with a Grafting Grevillea booklet which is currently in preparation. The Armidale group has been running monthly workshops, looking at the progress of grafts and discussing successes and failures. One member uses digital calipers to endure scion and stock stems align perfectly. An easy method for propagating stock plants from seed is described and illustrated.
Member Keith Finlayson has been grafting eremophilas for 8 years, and has a substantial list of successes. He uses Myoporum montanum stock, never having found any reason to change. However Myoporum bateae has been used to produce an Eremophila “Kalbarri Carpet” standard.
Phil Trickett summarizes his recent progress with grafting, using a whip graft. Some plants are “yet to conquer” eg Banksia cuneata and B. quercifolia. However Phil trusts that further work with alternative stocks and interstocks will crack their secrets.
Contact: graftingstudygroup@gmail.com
Hakea SG newsletter, no. 87, February 2025
Hakea from wetter climates in Paul Kennedy’s Victorian garden, have required some extra watering to get through the drier months of summer. However, Hakea ednieana from the northern Flinders Ranges, H. grammatophylla from around Alice Springs, and H. fraseri from the Armidale NSW area have been particularly pleasing.
Trials of northern Queensland hakeas for suitability to cooler climates, have not yielded good results so far. However two specimens each of H. arborescens and H. chordophylla have been planted out with success.
The newsletter reviews the H. verrucosa group of hakeas. H. bakeriana, an NSW coastal species, can tolerate significant humidity and is attractive with its rounded shape and bright green foliage, although the flowers are hidden. H. pendens is from dry areas of WA and has attractive pendant flowers. It will tolerate higher rainfall if the soil is well-drained. H. purpurea, a hakea with clusters of red flowers, is from southern outback Queensland. It is a great plant for gardens as it will grow in a variety of conditions. H. rhombales from the dry interior is a very striking plant with large reddish flowers and grey-green foliage. H. verrucosa from WA occurs in a variety of soils and is hardy in cultivation in a range of climates. The flowers are large pink turning to red.
Contact: hakeaholic@gmail.com