The monthly meeting of Bairnsdale Garden Club took on a different format in September, as the usual venue was not available.
Members met at president Patricia Schlitz’s home where they could look around her garden. Jeff Parkes demonstrated a number of battery-operated garden tools for edging lawns, trimming along fences and around trees, pruning shrubs and trees, etc.
The battery-operated secateurs were of particular interest to members as some find it difficult to prune with their hands that no longer work as well.
Those present were able to purchase plants and pots before they moved to a second member’s garden. This was a different type of garden where the owner has a keen interest in cacti and succulents, and he shared some tips for propagating and growing the cacti and succulents.
A wide bed adjacent to the driveway had a variety of small cacti planted into a bed topped with gravel, which showed the plants to perfection.
Various heights of prickly cacti were in a circular bed in the rear garden, together with other plantings of shaped native plants, a blossom tree and other plants, making a lovely mix.
A delicious Devonshire tea was provided by the hostess, Heather Cornwall, and gave members a chance to sit around and chat with their gardening friends.
TULIPS
Tulips are well-known and loved flowers showcasing in spring with their bright, satiny flowers. Tulips are very much associated with the Netherlands, but many people are unaware that they were originally wild flowers in Asia and Southern Europe.
They became popular in Turkey and were grown there as early as 1055, becoming a symbol of wealth and prestige.
Tulip means turban in the Turkish language. They did not become popular in Northern Europe until the 16th Century and sold for exorbitant prices. Holland is now famous for its massed plantings of tulips in springtime.
At the August meeting, Sharon Ward’s lovely camellia won the Sheehan Champion Camellia award. This lovely trophy was presented to the society by John Sheehan in 1981, the year he was elected mayor of Bairnsdale. It is a perpetual trophy to be awarded to the exhibitor of the Champion Camellia at the society’s annual Camellia Night.
The first winner was Iden Henham with a bloom of “Arch of Triumph”.
The president and committee have been busy organising some interesting speakers for the next two meetings and a venue for the Christmas lunch. All will be revealed at the meeting on Wednesday, October 15 at St Mary’s Parish Centre, at 1.30pm.
Exhibits must be on the show bench prior to 1pm ready to be judged. Members and visitors can head along early and see what bargains they can find on the trading table, including plants, second-hand books and magazines or other treasures. Raffle tickets will also be available.
The club recently welcomed some new members and invites anyone interested in learning more about growing plants or enjoys being with gardening friends, to come along and join the fun.
Mr and Mrs Cornwall’s Cacti Garden. (PS)
Tulips. (PS)
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