AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY (VICTORIA) Keilor Plains Group MEETINGS First Friday of the month (not January) at 8pm, Uniting Church hall, corner Roberts Road & Glenys Avenue, Airport West.

Autumn/winter 2016 NUMBER 129

June 3 APSKP meeting: Louise Pelle (landscape architect of King Billy Retreat, Rushworth) on “Garden Design with Indigenous Plants”. July 1 APSKP AGM + meeting: Yvonne Bischofberger (APSKP member & secretary of Friends of Newells Paddock) will update members on the amazing progress being made at Newells Paddock Urban Nature Reserve. August 5 APSKP meeting: Speaker to be confirmed. September 4 APSKP meeting: Chris Nicholson (APSKP member and head gardener, Royal Park, Parkville) will speak on the Australian Native Garden in Royal Park. October 5 APSKP meeting: table; bring along cuttings from your garden to celbrate the mass of colour and form that is spring. November 4 APSKP meeting: Director and head of research at Currency Creek Arboretum, SA, Dean Nicolle will talk on “Eucalypts”. December 2 APSKP meeting: Christmas break up

1 The view from the courtyard Under the Eaves President Jason Caruso wins some and loses some Think nothing grows there? John Upsher says think again n the last newsletter, I was waiting there in an attempt to get hose conditions, under the wide delicate species and some of the more (with bated breath) for flower buds on a them through the summer eaves of a house, on the north facing showy and spectacular species. potted rameliana to open. and to my surprise, they side with full sun all day and only In a neighbour’s garden in Maribyrnong IA few days before Christmas, the first have survived and showing T the least of rain that might get blown in, are I have these very conditions and have operculum dropped, revealing a stunning signs of ‘relief’ with the the best you could provide to grow some planted three species to try, alongside large flower. All in all, six flowers opened recent wet weather. The of the stalwart plants of the Australian arid succulents and cacti that were the legacy of over the following weeks – it was quite a two main varieties are interior. another era. Eremophila ovata hails from sight. With a species like this that is rare in Correa ‘St Andrews’ and These conditions especially suit some of the southern parts of Northern Territory cultivation – and one that prefers a hotter Correa pulchella ‘Pink’. the Eremophilas that have silver or white where a thunderstorm is generally as climate than Melbourne – I am mindful But it’s not all about the with a dense covering of hairs. In much wet as might ever be hoped for; not that at any moment it may curl up its successes. I’ve recently the open air in Melbourne when we get a surprisingly it would be susceptible to die roots, especially during the cooler months. lost two garden plants damp or rainy spell in winter, they may back in winter but under the eaves it grows To ensure its survival, John Upsher has for unknown reasons. be attacked by fungi and whole stems, through the whole year and has exquisite attempted a few grafts. If this proves Our cordatum even branches die off. The plants are quite blue flowers for most of the time. successful, there’s a possibility that you (flame pea) that had resilient and generally re-grow but of Eremophila mirabilis is a more open, could own this stunning eucalypt in the performed so well for course it is better if there is no die-back. wiry shrub from WA, between Geraldton near future. many years, suddenly died and Kalgoorlie. It is not so susceptible to after its regular annual damp as some but is blessed with striking prune. The plant shot back blooms, large pink sepals and long creamy quite well after the trim, corollas with bands of dark purple spots. that would enhance its value in a narrow but these new shoots soon Eremophila warnesii is a more recently border. withered away. Fortunately described species from the Meekatharra Clockwise from below: Eremophila it grows well from cuttings region – as hot and dry as you can get. The ovata, E. warnesii and E. mirabilis. so I can easily replace the plant is covered with the densest white felt Photos: M. Fagg, Wikimedia commons and plant with the material so in its prime, is a stand-out specimen Goldfields Revegation. I had prepared a month but in Melbourne earlier. conditions is quite Another plant that was susceptible to performing so well was a like it will recover. It can be frustrating fungus. But under Eucalyptus sepulcralis (weeping mallee). when this happens in a garden as it takes the eaves, it is very The other option is in hope that viable The habit of this eucalypt is quite unusual, so much time to establish a replacement; The conditions provided under north- at home and suffers seeds have developed in the fruits. as it doesn’t form a canopy. It is an open, and as in this case the cause is unknown so facing eaves have been found to be ideal no die-back. With autumn just kicking in to gear, it’s spindly mallee with weeping foliage. will it happen again? for them. If you think about where they Through winter Because of its form, I had planted this time for correas to shine. Over the past few Like the seasons, a garden continues come from, with day temperatures in the and spring it has a eucalypt in a narrow garden bed between months I had planted out various species to change throughout the year. A plant 40s for weeks on end and little or no rain, constant show of a fence and a car-parking bay. I thought it and cultivars in our communal garden and flowering now may not be flowering in then the Eremophilas that have evolved to purple-blue flowers many are performing well. Some were would suit this site as it would add height withstand these conditions will welcome arranged near the planted during the heat of summer directly (may reach 4-6 metres) but wouldn’t take what the under-eaves situation can offer. branch tips. It may under an established ornamental pear tree. the form a large tree. One of our planted Clearly this gives us the opportunity only grow to half a These little correas had to deal with the specimens was approaching 2.5m, and was to grow successfully some of the more metre at most but root system of this tree as well as cope looking stunning, but all of a sudden the with bone-dry soil. I watered here-and- leaves turned brown and it doesn’t look little landing platform for the bee and are including exotic and native cultivars, is Eremophila snippets usually white, pink, mauve or blue. The unrivalled at the Herbarium. If we have an other type is birdpollinated and these are obscure cultivated plant to identify, Aileen The Eremophila Study Group has a new usually are brighter and have a tendency is the person we turn to.” leader, Dr Lyndal Thorburn. Here are some towards oranges, yellows and hot pinks. excepts from the latest group newsletter: l The November 2015 issue of l The Eremophila Study Group was Austrobaileya (Queensland Herbarium) six months’ time, and a healthy looking formed in 1975 by Ken Warnes, who includes an article on “Eremophila plant today may not look so good down started studying Eremophila in 1963. woodiae: a new species from Queensland” the track. We are constantly looking for He was a founding member of Project E. woodiae is “a small resinous shrub interest in our gardens but we also should Eremophila, which was sponsored by the with densely crowded linear leaves and embrace the change. A plant not in flower SA branch of the Society. He started the purple tubular flowers.” It is endemic still adds interest to a garden, and a plant Study Group in 1975 and was granted an to a small area near Opalton in western that hasn’t survived allows room to trial ANSPA National Amateur Award in 2011 central Queensland (annual average rainfall something new. for his contribution to the propagation 411mm), but is locally common. This and horticulture of Eremophila. He has species was described by Mark Edginton also submitted a number of applications Clockwise from left: Eucalyptus from the Queensland Herbarium (it is his to ACRA for named Eremophila and rameliana, Chorizema cordatum, photo) and named in honour of Aileen Eremophila warnesii is named after Ken. E. rameliana, E. sepulcralis in WA. Wood, who has worked in the Herbarium Pictures: Jason Caruso, ANPSA.org.au, for many years. Mr Edginton says: l There are two basic flower forms. Those notley.smugmug.com “Aileen’s knowledge of cultivated plants, which are pollinated by insects have a 2 3 High country highlights A tale of two Veronicas Flo Suter Neil Duncan introduces two sisters but no, they don’t sing perfoliata and example the form we see when we visit ur Alpine Trip is one of the to Baw Baw where we are both beautiful hardy shrubs but looking the Brisbane Ranges – and the broader- highlights of my year and this one were to stay at Banksia at the foliage you could be excused for form is found on plants from moister areas. Owas another memorable experience. Lodge. Wet gear was thinking they were totally unrelated. has sprays of When I think about it I can feel the put to dry and forgotten These plants are the gypsies of the nodding lavender flowers in spring but wonderful mist swirling around the snow about as we gathered at plant naming world, having been named the Eucalypt-like foliage is an attraction gums and filling the valleys. Yes, it did rain the restaurant for drinks Parahebes, Derwentias and now Veronicas. all year round. It grows to about 80cm quite a bit at the start of our journey but it and dinner. After the meal Veronica perfoliata (below) is native to but often has a horizontal growth habit added to the magic and the atmosphere and we had a talk from Alex Victoria and Southern NSW while Veronica spreading over a meter. the heightened perfumes of the bush. Smart from the Wilson arenaria (right) is native to northern NSW Veronica arenaria grows more upright There were about 26 of us including Park APS about Viola and southern Queensland. to about 50cm and has darker blue flowers some visitors from other groups. At Wilson eminens that grows at The leaf shape on Veronica perfoliata from spring to autumn. Botanical Gardens in Berwick we were met high altitudes and could can vary from a narrow form to a broad The lush green foliage makes it look by members of the Wilson Park APS, who be found in these parts. leaf form. Generally the forms from the very unlike most Australian plants but it provided a scrumptious morning tea. It is a At first glance it looks drier country have the narrower leaf – for is surprisingly hardy. It would not look beautiful garden created from an old quarry the same as any other out of place in a European and apparently home to some interesting viola but it has a broader, cottage garden and its habit fossils. We didn’t have time to walk around flatter leaf. The flower has of growth when it lets its it (too busy eating ) so I have to go back a much longer stem and blowing engineering feat. There were branches cascade lends itself sometime to learn more. twisted side petals. Our challenge was to two walks to choose from. A lovely day. to mingling with other plants. find it. The path was gentle, edged with Senecio Both respond well to hard Next day we walked from the Lodge gunni (Mountains Fireweed), buttercups, pruning after flowering and summer and mountain Veronica perfoliata is often greenhoods, Billy used in floral arrangements Buttons and podolepsis for the foliage effect. They to name a few. are both easily grown from On the way home we cuttings. did manage to walk to I would thoroughly Toorongo Falls, which recommend these two plants were flowing fast and for any garden or even grown strong. The tree ferns in a pot on a balcony. arenaria means sand loving. were the tallest I have seen and there was a V. arenaria grows on rocky slopes large variety of other Veronica was originally named Derwentia after the Derwent River in and river flats in sandy soils, often ferns. We saw a lot of Tasmania, as the original description of the type of the genus, Veronica in eucalypt woodland, on the flowering plants on the derwentia, cited it growing "...on the banks of the Derwent....". western edge of tablelands and trip. Lots of greenhood slopes, north from Mendooran. and Leek Orchids, perfoliata means having 'perfoliate' leaves, wrapping around the the alpine baekia and stem, so the stem appears to be passing through the leaf, or in this It is suitable for containers or a olearias and many ferns. case a joined pair of leaves. full-sun to part-shade position in I am astonished how many I forget and the garden. 60cm x 1m through the fog where we did find the viola plan to keep better notes this year. V. perfoliata needs a well-drained site in half shade. and Anne tells me we stood where Von A huge thankyou to Anne and Chris Mueller had stood. I remember meadows for organising such a great trip. I know of pink and white stylidiums together with how much work is involved and you did a The plant life of Australia’s outback may Next stop was Neerim South for lunch alpine daisies; lovely Plants in the news have “given up”, according to satellite-based maps (eating again) then the serious stuff began. against a backdrop of tracking the impact of changing climatic conditions, such We made for the Trestle bridge at Noojee misted snow gums. THE SOUTH-WEST CORNER of Australia is a unique built in 1919 – a huge 100-metre high The next day we as rainfall and temperature, on the world’s ecosystems. bridge made during the logging days. It went to Mt St Gwinear ‘biodiversity hotspot’, home to many plants and animals The study suggests the vegetation of our interior does has been restored and now offers a good via the Thompson found nowhere else in the world. not respond to sudden increases in rainfall because it has rail-trail walk. We climbed up but the rain River damn, a mind- More plants are pollinated by vertebrates here than “learned” that drought will soon follow. got the better of us and after taking in the anywhere on Earth. In fact, 15% of all flowering plants gorgeous view from the top and the sight Clockwise from top: It also indicates the Murray-Darling Basin is one of the of huge tree ferns dripping with water we Mist swirling around there need birds and mammals to transfer their pollen. world’s most ecologically sensitive zones, and highlights dived for cover. the snow gums; One of these important little mammals is the little- the fact that Australian flora is most sensitive to changes Undaunted we went on to the Toorongo meadows of stylidiums studied western pygmy possum. A new research project with alpine daisies; in water availability. Falls, where a few people ventured out a is looking into the secret lives of this tiny species. short distance. It was agreed that we would Viola eminens; The maps are part of a study, published today in the do the walk on the way back. Some of us Acrothamnus hookeri; “We live in an exceptional global biodiversity hotspot, journal Nature, that analyses 14 years of satellite data were very wet and already planning to get Toorongo Falls. and this research is exploring and testing ideas why this measuring the key climate variables of air temperature, better rain gear. Pictures: Chris Clarke is so,” said Professor Stephen Hopper from UWA. The 45-kilometre winding road took us & Russell Best water availability and cloud cover. – James O’Hanlon, Australian Geographic – Dani Cooper, ABC science

4 5 Consider the gumnuts Trevor Blake recommends growing at least one Eucalypt in your garden

n reading a recent Victoria State have done well in newsletter I was really interested nature strips along O in the selection of eucalypts with Callistemon suggested for growing in home gardens. salignus and C. A whole group of these spectacular viminalis, Agonis small mallee-type eucalypts have been flexuosa, Acacia difficult to grow, mainly caused by cold implexa and drizzly and overcast conditions but with some glorious A. the climate changing many of these are pendula. Middle well worth trying. Camberwell has E. kruseana (both more difficult) does the work had a spectacular E. crenulata, E. perriniana ‘Spinning but nevertheless Really built up well-drained beds that success with an Gum’, and E. pulverulenta. are worth a look receive plenty of sun can help success. E. erythrocorys at – they can get There are species that will do well and A magnificent very fine-leafed flowering a little taller than there are constant requests for small one is E. formanii and if the juvenile magnificently. Mallees but in the eucalypts for home gardens. Many of foliage is kept by judicious pruning it This species has Melbourne area I them have the spectacular flowers and can be special. This is a real specialist also flowered well have not known the benefits to the ecology of your species and another in the sporting in Blackburn and Above: Eucalyptus pimpiniana. Below left: E. eremophila. them to reach locality is well worth considering. chance category if you can get it. Northcote. Below right: E. erythrocorys. E. polybractea is a mallee with grey their full height: E. verrucata) the dwarf species from foliage and a species that has been E. haemastoma, Tasmania south-west mountains – regularly harvested for distilling oils racemosa, grows well in Melbourne gardens? and grows well in most soils. sclerophylla, rossii, signata. E. orbifolia is a splendid grey-leafed There is a group of ‘Scribbly Gums’ mallee with attractive flowers. with white bark that won’t scribble For a good E. torquata has attractive fruits and red outside the distribution of the insect that talking point, the flowers that appear for many months. unusual fruit and E. behriana is the mallee that grows leathery leaves of Above: Eucalyptus youngiana buds and (top) the red, yellow closest to Melbourne near Bacchus E. tetragona and E. and pink flower forms. Left: E. tetraptera. Pictures: Esperance Marsh. E. aquilina, a small mallee tetraptera should do Wildflowers blog; Bill Dowling, Friends of Great Vic Desert with interesting fruits a little like the trick. hybrids like ‘Torwood’ and the specky E. preissiana ssp. lobatam, (the large E. sepulchralis is a fascinating wispy C. ficifolia/ptychocarpa cross and don’t flowered form) with its striking yellow weeping species that requires a little forget local indigenous species. flowers. E. cooperana is a mallee with water during dry times for a mallee. Others may have great success with white trunk and greyish foliage that E. leptopoda, E. leptophylla, species not mentioned that are worth E. synandra and a similar E. rosacea grows from a lignotuber. E. doratoxylon E. eremophila, E. fasciculosa, growing so let’s hear of them – one of are beautiful in flower with mallee would fit in here too. E. diversifolia E. gregsoniana, E. grossa, E. stricta, E. the greatest things we can do is share habit. The true species of E. caesia is that flowers at a very young age and viridis are all worth looking up. and record our knowledge. well worth looking at with smaller more always looks attractive. delicate flowers. The recommended Some of these species you may roll Some of the species I have mentioned E. erythronema is another attractive your eyes at and there are plenty of will be very difficult to track down but E. pimpiniana has stunned me with the mallee. masses of flower and the attractiveness others I have not mentioned such as there are growers out there with ‘odd of the buds which take over 12 months Of course there are a number with the dwarf Corymbia eximia or the bods’ and well worth ferreting out. to mature. round or unusual silver juvenile foliage E. youngiana does reside in some and the flavour of the month is E. latens pretty arid areas so the transition may Well back to a selection – how ‘Moon Lagoon’; others are E. crucis, be just too much for it. But the story many have tried E. verrucosa (now Further reading and picture credits: becomes entirely different as grafted plants become available. Eucalyptus synandra, www.communitywebs.org/fgvd/ooldea.php Lets have a look at a few species that found on sandy and saseedbank.com.au/ may have a chance of doing well in gravelly soils in helenfitzgerald.com/ gardens. I’ve been fascinated at what southern WA, is listed www.perthseed.com/ has been growing here in Northcote. as vulnerable under esperancewildflowers.blogspot.com.au/ A high percentage of gardens have E. the EPBC Act. It anpsa.org.au/ caesia ‘Silver Princess’ doing superbly needs good drainage where they receive plenty of sun. but tolerates cold; it We have inherited a magnificent E. has flowered in the macrocarpa that flowers from April National Botanic until the end of November, but this is Gardens in Canberra. one of those beauties that shouldn’t It can flower when only grow here at all. These around 15cm tall. Melbourne just shouldn’t exist. Picture and Left: Eucalyptus macrocarpa by Helen Fitzgerald E. stoatei, E. forrestiana, information: Graeme E. lehmanniana and E. macrandra O’Neil, ANPSA

6 7 Cutting and snippets Shows, conferences, plant sales A collection of news from APS newsletters, from Neil Duncan Compiled by APS secretary Nicky Zanen Potash trial success Acacia implexa the Lightwood. After June 4 RBG Cranbourne Fabulous Fungi Workshop. Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm. Speakers The February 2016 Grevillea study group prolific flowering last summer the seeds include Dr Tom May, a senior mycologist from Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Dr Noushka finally ripened this summer, attracting newsletter had an interesting article by Reiter, an orchid conservationist and botanist from Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Geoff Max MacDowell. the Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos which Max had found some native plants were would leave a mess of broken twigs and Lay from the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, Dr Simone Louhwoff, an expert on lichens, growing well but flowering poorly. For seed pods on the ground. Shortly after and John Thompson. Topics include an overview of fungi, orchid-fungi relationships, fungi years gardeners had been told to apply ants would have scattered the black seeds Sulphate of Potash to promote flower as they collected the nutritious white of Victoria, lichens and a cultural history of fungi. These talks will be followed by a question growth, but probably because we are wary appendage (aril) on the seed. and answer session with our panel of experts, before taking a walk around the Cranbourne of what fertilisers we apply to natives Bronze-winged Pigeons then come to bushland to forage for some fascinating fungi! RBGC Friends members $60, non members we don’t seem to have used Sulphate of feast on the remaining black seeds. Potash to good effect in the garden. Roger Thomas wrote in the same $75, Students $30. Max wrote of using Sulphate of Potash newsletter that different birds eat the seeds of Acacia melanoxylon in varying ways. on Grevilleas, a Eucalypt preissiana and a June 11-13 Bookfest 2016 Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) Cranbourne, from 10am to 4pm in the Melaleuca decussata with excellent results Mature seeds are eaten by the Bronze- and was going to use it on a banksia, winged Pigeons but immature seeds are auditorium. (Mel 133 K10). regelia and hakea that all were reluctant to preferred by rosellas and cockatoos. These June 25-26 APS Ballarat Winter Flower Show and plant sales. Robert Clark Horticultural Centre, flower. Acacia seeds have a red-coloured funicle It would be interesting to try some on the (the stalk attaching the seed to the seed Ballarat Botanic Gardens. 10.30am to 3.30pm. Entry fee includes a cup of hot tea or coffee. shy flowerers in your garden and see what pod), which is attractive to currawongs July 23-24 Growing Friends Spring Plant Sale – RBG Cranbourne. 10am to 4pm. (Mel 133 K10) effect it has. but the seeds minus the funicle are then regurgitated. September 3 APS Wilson Park Plant Sale, Wilson Botanic Park, Princes Highway, Berwick. 9am to 4pm Acacia hybrid abundance September 3-4 Bendigo Native Plants Group Flower Show, Rotary Gateway Park, 26 High Street, There were a couple of interesting Kangaroo Flat. articles from the March 2016 Acacia study group newsletter. September 10 APS Yarra Yarra Native Plants Sale (no Expo this year). Venue to be advised. Is anyone growing a hybrid Acacia – I 10am to 4pm. didn’t even know one existed? Sept 17-18 Angair (Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Wildflower and Art Show), Anglesea Memorial Hall, Brendan Stahl was growing an Acacia cognata x verniciflua ‘Curtain Call’ and McMillan St, Anglesea. 10am to 4.30pm. Small entry fee. Bill Molyneux was growing A. floribunda October 1-2 APS Grampians Group Pomonal Native Flower Show, Pomonal Hall. 9.30am to 5pm. x genistifolia ‘Abundance’. ‘Abundance’ is available in nursery trade. October 7-9 Horsham Garden Festival Weekend hosted by Wimmera Growers of Australian Plants Inc. In Vietnam they are growing another Left: Acacia melanoxylon seed. October 8-9 FJC Rogers Seminar in Hamilton “Native Terrestrial and Epiphytic Orchids”. Saturday full hybrid A. auriculiformis x mangium as Above: Acacia implexa seed. day conference and formal dinner, Sunday field trips to Hamilton, Casterton and Grampians. forestry trees for pulpwood and sawlogs. Register your interest with Kevin Sparrow, [email protected]. A seed’s progress Pictures: www.apstas.com/, www.elster- October 15 APS Mitchell Annual Spring Plant Expo and Sale, from 9am to 3pm Memorial Hall, Wendy Marriott had an interesting creek.org.au/, www.treeproject.org.au/ article on the flowering and seeding of Sydney Street, Kilmore. October 15-16 South Gippsland Native Plant Sale & Flower Show. South Gippsland Historical Automobile Club Pavilion, Leongatha Recreation Reserve. 10am to 4pm. October 22 APS Echuca Moama Native Plant Society – Native Flower Showcase. Echuca Uniting Blocking out the blackbirds Church Hall, Hare Street, Echuca. From 9am to 4pm. Native plants to attract bees and birds to the garden. suspect old hands at gardening might out. Then, break them up into shortish October 22-23 APS Ballarat Annual Spring Flower Show, book and plant sales. Robert Clark have ‘twigged’ to this, but we can lengths of about a foot (30cm to you Horticultural Centre, Ballarat Botanic Gardens. Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, Sunday 10am I always learn… youngsters). I’m sure we’ve all experienced the Work these shorter lengths into an to 4.30pm. chagrin and dismay we feel on watching interlocking matrix around your newly October 22-23 Growing Friends Spring Plant Sale – RBG Cranbourne. 10am to 4pm. (Mel 133 K10). a band of blackbirds (or others) rooting planted plant; preferably with the foliage out the protective mulch around our newly ends out and on top of the existing mulch. October 29-30 Wimmera Growers of Australian Plants 40th Anniversary & planted plants. These guys follow the I have found that this is an effective barrier APS Vic Quarterly Meeting “Mallee to Mountains”. moisture gradient around your watered to bird excavations and it allows the plant Nov 24-26 Kangaroo Paw Celebration November 2016 at Cranbourne Gardens. A special three day plants in their search for worms, grubs, etc. to enjoy the water you may be adding for If you’re not around to render rapid aid, its growth. symposium which will cover aspects of the Kangaroo Paw Family (Haemodoraceae). a couple of hot dry days can spell the end You don’t have to use dried out prunings of your (unprotected) plants. Sure, the birds – you can use fresh ones and let them dry have to survive, but so do your plants. out in situ. 2017-2018 My suggestion is for you to save some of In time, when the plant is established, June 11-22, 2017 ANPSA 12 day Natural History Kimberley Camping Tour the prunings from your larger (particularly you can remove this barrier; or just leave January 12-20, 2018 ANPSA 2018 Conference, Hobart. Pre and Post Conference tours to King Island twiggy – e.g., callistemons, eucalypts) it there. shrubs. Set them aside and let them dry John Shepherd and Tasmanian Alpine areas. To receive updates email [email protected] 8 9 APS Keilor Plains, Box 115 Niddrie 3042 coffee. kitchen) rostered. Get out: : Marge & Lyn Paul & Lyn : Marge or Doug for key). June : Linda Jones Supper roster Supper : Anne Beaumont July : September : Norma Sands August kitchen bench behind curtain) Contact Flo Suter on 9370 0908 Newsletter deadlines Newsletter Set up before the meeting: Set up before at the same time; it will overload circuit. Each month we need: 1 litre milk, sweet and/or welcomed. Members are strongly encouraged to Any serving plates needed (in boxes under main send in anything of interest, whether it be a copy Fill the urn in mini kitchen with water for tea/ Newsletter articles and photos are always warmly Cups and saucers (overhead cupboard in the main savoury nibbles etc for about 30 people. Tea bags, Tea savoury nibbles etc for about 30 people. of an article read elsewhere, notes a garden visit, May newsletter is flexible (let me know if you have Teaspoons and other cutlery (main kitchen drawers) Teaspoons A fixed remittance of $20 will be paid to cover costs. A of your own garden or its plants. The deadline for the of your own garden or its plants. Switch on the urn. Do NOT try to have the kettle boil Switch on the urn. Do NOT gardening tips, specific problems or questions, details Tea, coffee, sugar etc (box in storage cupboard hall) coffee, Tea, Please arrange a swap if you are unable to attend when of a much-loved garden plant or – best all pictures sugar and coffee are in the group’s cupboard (see Anne cupboard (see are in the group’s sugar and coffee something in mind) but approximately early-mid April. something in mind) but approximately early-mid

Thanks to our sponsors

Keilor Plains Australian Plants Society would like to thank its many members and supporting nurseries for their generous contribution of plants for the monthly raffles.. Our thanks also to those who supply the delicious suppers at monthly meetings.

2015-16 Committee President: Jason Caruso 0421 662 186 Immediate past president: Neil Duncan Seed bank curator: Neil Duncan Vice president: Chris Clarke 9480 1780 9337 7397 Librarian: Jason Caruso Secretary: Anne Langmaid 9336 3228 Committee members: Linda Jones Newsletter: Jane Canaway 0425 70 17 56 Treasurer: Doug Down 9336 1797 9333 3796; Jane Canaway 9378 3762; [email protected] John Upsher 0404 424 126; Yvonne Bischofberger 0425 747 133.

The address for all general correspondence is PO Box 115, Niddrie 3042. Letters to the editor and articles for the newsletter should be posted to 35 Thompson St, Avondale Heights or emailed to [email protected]