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Home , Grevillea insignis, Grevillea rhyolitica, Lomatia tinctoria, Persoonia linearis

Australian Society South East NSW Group

Newsletter 126

February 2017

Corymbia maculata Spotted Gum and Macrozamia communis Burrawang Contacts: President, John Knight, [email protected] Secretary, Michele Pymble, [email protected] Newsletter editor, John Knight, [email protected] Next Meeting Everything you want to know, and maybe something you didn’t even know you knew about successfully growing Australian plants Venue Jenny and Pete Johns, Narooma (see map on page 10 ) Saturday March 4th 2017 Meeting at 10.30am This meeting was held over from June last year when the weather intervened, and heavy rain precluded members arriving at the destination. That is except for 2 intrepid travellers who made a determined effort to be there !

Questions and answers: At this meeting all members attending will be encouraged to : discuss their successes in growing Australian plants, divulge special tips and tricks they have learned over the years, ask the difficult questions about why certain plants just don’t do what they are supposed, and maybe find a solution to a problem which continues to defy best efforts.

Pests and diseases might also warrant discussion, but anyone who wishes to bring a live specimen of such, is asked to ensure it is well contained within a plastic bag. Jenny and Pete have enough of their own, and would not appreciate adding to their collection of problems. All members attending are welcome to bring along some specimens for discussion. Join in the fun of learning !,

Australian Plant Society South East NSW Newsletter 126 March 2017 Page 1

In My Garden As the long, hot Summer drags on, we have been blessed with a few spots of rain. In total 7mm fell at Catalina. I have been watering some new plantings put in before Christmas, mainly treasures collected in Tasmania when we were there last Autumn. These plants were potted on from tubes, and grown on to a larger size before planting. Plants that we rarely see in nurseries, such as Euromyrtus ramosissima, previously named Baeckea ramosissima, is a lovely prostrate or dwarf with tiny flowers, either deep pink or white, tea tree like, and spilling across a rock the plant presents a pretty picture in miniature. The flowers are visited regularly by butterflies or hover flies. These Tassie plants have just a blush of pink, but other forms were once widely propagated. Of particular merit is the dark pink, prostrate forms found in the Whipstick area near Bendigo in Victoria, and one which occurs as a tight matting plant in the Lower Blue Mountains, also with very dark, rosy pink flowers. As APS members we should be seeking out these great natural forms and propagating them to enable them to be more widely available. Lomatias are rarely grown these days, but there are some species which are quite amenable to . L. tinctoria grows on inhospitable dry rocky hillsides, ranging widely from the coastal areas to the cold midlands. 2 forms were brought home, purchased from the nursery next to the Tasmanian Bushland Garden. One is a small suckering form found in the eastern range near Swansea, with conflorescences of white like flowers during late winter and spring, and the other, which comes from the much higher, and colder forests of the Great Western Tiers, is a woody subshrub with tinctoria pink flowered form pink flowers, very rare in this Genus. is known as the Guitar Plant, so named for the fruit, which look like miniature guitars. Both forms have finely divided foliage, celery green when young. Neither plant has jumped out of the ground yet, but I am hopeful of getting some cuttings going during Autumn. I started to mention rain, or lack thereof. The days are getting shorter, and although it is still hot from time to time, plants are starting to prepare for winter and spring flowering. The little rain we did have certainly has improved the look of many plants, which have responded to natural watering quite differently to that which came from a hose. Nitrogen is, of course, the main element in the atmosphere, about 78%, and it is well documented that rainfall is the main contributor to the nitrogen levels in soil. This is why the lawn always looks greener after rain, whilst hosing just does not do the job so well. The nitrogen in rainfall, particularly during a thunderstorm, is readily available to plants in liquid form. Often I have recommended that benefits plants during times of stress, and was thinking about reducing some of the new growth on plants which wilt on hot days. One needs to be aware that many late winter and early spring flowering plants have already produced their buds, and pruning now will reduce the flowering. So have a good look at your plants before tackling that pruning job. Tidying up Acacia pycnantha, I noted that every flower it will have this year is already well formed, and now waiting for the late winter trigger to set it into bloom.

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Likewise Acacia spectabilis. Phebalium squamulosum, and Leionema “Green Screen” are also heavy in bud. I only mention these few as they were about to be trimmed before that last little bit of rain. Some plants can’t be helped. During January I ran a soaker hose on a garden bed as the Tetrathecas and Epacris were struggling to stand up to the competition from more vigorous plants such as Lomandras which were hogging the available moisture. Not 2 days later all the plants of Hibbertia monogyna were brown, and unfortunately dead. These plants were doing really well, still with an odd flower. Sourced from cuttings of plants growing in the dry forest west of Moruya, the plants are very tolerant of tough growing conditions, and had thrived for 5 years. Just shows, some plants don’t appreciate our help. Not all Hibbertias are tolerant of dry garden conditions, but there are many species worth a spot in any garden. I have 8 species still growing happily. Of special value as a garden plant is H. longifolia, a small sub-shrub which occurs in NE Queensland, in forests and ranges around about Cardwell, growing on granite based soils, but which is quite happy in gardens as far south as Melbourne. It can be found naturally along roadsides in quite sunny conditions. Certainly the plant copes well in full sun, but I have found it tolerates semi shade just as well, and the large flowers, from 50mm up to 75mm across, seem to last a Hibbertia longifolia flower, compared to Brachyscome angustifolia flowers bit longer. Plants grow to around 60cm high, and develop a woody rootstock from which a number of fleshy branches arise. are quite large, up to 100mm or longer, but only 5 – 10mm wide, and are an attractive shade of green, sometimes with reddish tinges in cooler months. Flowers are produced from late winter through summer on new shoots, and plants can be re-invigorated by hard pruning once the woody structure of the roots is well formed. Hibbertia longifolia is certainly a plant for every garden, but apparently rarely if ever available commercially. Plants propagate readily from tip cuttings at any time of the year, but maybe the common name of Arsenic Plant puts people off. It is worth noting that many plants with fleshy green foliage have the ability to fix arsenic within their structure. John Knight

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Last Meeting

A good roll-up of members ensured a successful start to the year’s activities. All available seats in the ERBG meeting room were filled by the time we kicked off proceedings, and we were pleased to welcome David Crawford, Editor of the APS Region’s journal Native Plants, and his partner Jan Douglas, whom we have met previously. Mark Noake and I (well mostly Mark) had spent some time experimenting with the system of projecting the plant specimens onto a screen so that everyone could see what was being discussed. The technology proved a success, and not only were the plant specimens displayed, but photos could be taken at the same time, and the results for some of these is included in this newsletter. The range of plants on display was quite extensive, and considering how dry the spring and summer months have been, it is a credit to our members who maintain such diversity, and to the plants which exhibit such tolerance. The list of plants mentioned at our meeting was recorded and produced by Carolyn Noake, and the photos of some of these, as recorded by Mark, are presented below.

Grevillea rhyolitica x victoriae "Lady O" Ozothamnus diosmifolius Bracteantha bracteata Hypocalymna xanthopetalum Grevillea georgiana Scaveola aemula Isotoma axillaris Brachyscome multifida Grevillea bush lemons Pelargonium rodneyanum marginata Helichrysum rutidolepsis Pandorea lady di Backhousia citridora Pandorea jasminoides Callistemon pityoides Baeckea brevifolia Melaleuca thymifolia Baeckea imbricata Leptospermum petersonii Astartea fascicularis Eremophila nivea Calostemma purpurea Eremophila gilesii Actinotus helianthi Eremophila sp Crinum pedunculatum Correa decumbens Spyridium coactilifolium Correa pulchella pinifolius Correa glabra Pimelea linifolia Eucalytus olsenii formosa Corymbia ficifolia Grevillea humilis ssp. maritima "Summer Beauty" Sannantha pluriflora Dampiera diversifolia Solanum aviculare Grevillea "Sylvia" Thomasia pauciflora Grevillea seedling Rhododendron lochiae Westringia "deep purple" Westringia fruticosa Hibiscus splendens Westringia fruticosa "jervis gem" Hibiscus diversifolia Dodonea triquetra Gastrolobium praemorsum Veronica arenaria Brachychiton acerifolius Banksia lehmanniana Callistemon viminalis Dampiera "Glasshouse Mtns" Grevillea hybrids (many) There were plenty more specimens which never made the presentation, due to time constraints, and the committee thanks all members who contributed to a successful “show and tell” meeting.

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Whilst I am sure to overlook someone, members who brought in flowers included Jenny John, Margaret Lynch, Christina Kennedy, Michele Pymble, Jo Benyon, Jenny Vine, Geoff Gosling, Jillian Peck, Ruth Pulford, and John Knight. Margaret also collected some specimens from The ERBG. Apologies if your name is missing from the list.

Baeckea imbricata is a tough 1m. shrub which can be pruned hard to make a small hedge Flannel Flower, Actinotus helianthi is grown by a few members, mostly in containers

Gastrolobium praemorsum (previously Brachysema praemorsum) is a tough plant with unusual, almost Illawarra Flame Tree, black foliage, and distinctive Brachychiton acerifolius pea flowers has flowered prolifically this year in response to the good winter rains

Banksia marginata can be a small shrub or medium sized tree depending on provenance. Not many grow this hardy plant these days

Correa pulchella hybrid and C. decumbens are both hardy plants for sunny or semi Corymbia ficifolia “Summer Beauty” Is shaded sites another plant to have benefitted from good early rains

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Callistemon pityoides flowers over a long period, bundles of Melaleuca thymifolia, and free and though not often grown these days, is a plant of Callistemon pityoides illustrate the tolerant of tough conditions difference between the 2 genera

Grevillea georgiana, on the left, is often available as a grafted plant, but is generally not hardy on its own roots in our humid conditions

Grevillea petrophiloides with its distinctive flowers held high above the foliage, demonstrates the dramatic differences botanist are faced with when determining where a plant best fits. It is another Western Australian plant not often grown

Brachyscome multifida is a Although a common A very colourful perennial, perennial favourite for its small shrub in eastern Pelargonium rodneyanum is cheery flowers throughout states, Pimelea linifolia an ideal filler for small spaces the year is not often seen in in a sunny rockery. It will self gardens, which is a seed if the ground is not pity, as it provides a heavily mulched focus for butterflies

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Widespread in local forests, Persoonia linearis is best grown as a small tree to highlight its beautiful bark

The tall but showy Hibiscus splendens makes a statement in any sunny garden, and deserves much wider recognition

Westringia fruticosa “Jervis Gem” is a much smaller

variant of the common Coastal Rosemary, and makes a lovely informal hedge

Rhododendron lochiae is Australia’s only Rhododendron, found in the wet forests of northern Queensland. It grows readily in protected sites, but will flower better with some sun. Try growing it in orchid potting mix

After a break for lunch, we joined with the Friends of ERBG to enjoy the presentation by Professor Tony Haymet former Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who discussed his work in developing systems to enable accurate measuring of the heat in the Ocean, and the effects this is having in the changing climate we are experiencing. His words were sobering, to say the least, but the audience was fascinated by the efforts being undertaken by scientists around the world to come to terms with a rapidly warming sea, and the likely outcomes for the population of the world. Oceans comprise 80% of the world’s surface, and as such have the dominant effect on weather. Rapid increase in the average temperature of sea water, even at great depths, is proved using profiling floats developed by his company. Nearly 4000 of the units, called ARGO profile floats, are permanently stationed throughout the oceans, at depths of up to Professor Tony Haymet, 2000m., and send constant data which scientists collate to assist with (Google Images) preparing nations for the effects of changing, and more severe weather patterns. Search Tony’s Facebook page for more information

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Jenny John volunteered to speak to the Moruya Garden Club on behalf of our APS Group. She was supported in her presentation by Mark Noake, who again set up his technology equipment for the afternoon, Michele Pymble, who came bearing some additional flower specimens, and John Knight for additional advice. Jenny began by stating that her only qualifications are an enthusiasm for gardening inherited from her grandfather and mother, and a fascination with Australian plants, which are so different from those in our garden in the UK. “For a while, the weather was not kind to our gardens but the recent rain has made things look a lot happier. The best time for flowers on Australian plants is really the winter-spring period but we have been able to gather some examples which I hope will show you the wide range of colour, form and growth habit that makes it possible to find one or more Australian plant for every type of garden situation.” “Through natural selection, Australian plants have evolved to suit the native environment, thus local species are best suited to local conditions.” The first group Jenny showed come from somewhere within the state of NSW. They included , one of the few flowering at A section of Jenny's display this time of year, and , a grand feature shrub. Grevillea rhyolitica which flowers practically all year, and G.”Lady O” a cultivar by nurseryman Peter Ollerenshaw and named for his mother. dwarf form called Pink Midget that also flowers all year. , an erect shrub popular with honeyeaters particularly Eastern Spinebills. Melaleuca thymifolia, a low compact shrub which flowers on and off all year, and the lovely Isotoma axillaris, a rounded plant to about 30 cm which flowers profusely this time of year, and will self-seed readily with lovely blue flowers popping up all over the garden. Many Australian plants are also very adaptable and the moderate climate here on the east coast allows us to grow colourful species from other regions of the continent, especially West Australia. Many flower in the winter - spring period but these are flowering now. Corymbia ficifolia “Summer Beauty” flowers profusely. Several grafted, different flower colours forms of Corymbia are available. has lovely, but prickly holly like leaves and pink flowers. Many species of Eremophilas are becoming popular garden plants due to their tolerance of dry hot conditions. The common name of emu bush comes from the shape of the flowers and the way they are positioned on the stem, resembling the head of an emu. Even when are not in flower, the variety of foliage colours and forms and interesting fruits can make an attractive garden. Here Jenny described Zieria littoralis, Kunzea baxteri ‘Scarlet Jack’, Homoranthus flavescens, Melaleuca elliptica, Eremophila maculata is a favourite with Eastern Grevillea bedggoodiana, Leptospermum brevipes and Spinebills. Angophora hispida. very rewarding shrubs, with a variety of flower colours and distinctive fruits. Examples are H. decurrens, H. verrucosus H. petiolaris and H. “Burrendong Beauty”. As in all areas of horticulture, nurserymen are busy trying to produce ever more attractive and reliable varieties of Australian native plants. The Grevillea genus has proved a rich source for these hybrids, including G. ‘Ned Kelly’, G. ‘Robyn Gordon’, G. ‘Moonlight’, G. ‘Honey Gem’, G. ‘Superb’, G. ’Billy Bonkers’, G. ‘Peaches and Cream’. These have some flowers all year round, and can be pruned to keep size in bounds.

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Having evolved with the native fauna, Australian plants are recognised by native birds and butterflies and bees and they will visit your garden in search of food. Rainbow Lorikeets too like the Eremophila flowers, as seen on this yellow form of Eremophila maculata. Parrots however are robbers. They do not transfer the pollen, but merely suck the nectar and drop the flower to the ground. You can always see where parrots are or have been feeding from the plant debris under a tree or bush. Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos have the same modus operandi. They are strong enough to break off a whole branch or in this case a whole Banksia cone. We also receive regular visits from wallabies. They are very cute to look at but they have a wide palette and will try the young shoots of virtually Orchard butterflies have a every plant in the garden. Some plants will cope long enough tongue to reach with a bit of grazing once they are established but the nectar in Bottlebrush and some such as Hardenbergia violacae (a beautiful Grevillea flowers. scrambler/ climber that is covered in purple pea Here a female is feeding on flowers in late winter and spring) must always be caged as the wallabies will eat any plants it can Callistemon violacae find down to ground level.

Yeah, I know I can be a nuisance, but boy am I cute ! So ended a very productive presentation by Jenny, which attracted quite a deal of comment and questions from an interested audience.

Jenny John

Committee news Membership Notice Could I please ask members to verify that their membership is up to date, and that their details are correct. I will send reminders to all those whose membership is due for renewal in the next month, and a gentle prod to those whose membership is now overdue from previous quarters. Jenny John, Membership Officer

Future activities The new committee has developed a provisional program of interesting meetings for the coming year, activities which will hopefully add to our knowledge of Australian plants. The preliminary program is as follows, subject of course to variation: April 1 Peter Ollerenshaw, Bywong Nursery, Breeding of Cultivars, featuring Correas May 6 Bush activity around Nerrigundah June 3 TBC July 1 Identifying Eucalypts John Knight at ERBG August 5 Landscape feature with designer Shane Doherty September 2 Isopogons and Petrophiles Phil Trickett and Catriona Bate October 7 Narooma garden of Joan Lynch

November 4 AGM still to confirm

If you have issues or ideas, any of the committee would appreciate your input.

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Advance notice of the APS Conference, which is to held in Tasmania in January 2018. As this is a busy time for tourism, members intending to attend are advised that early planning might be wise. Full details of the conference program will be included in the next newsletter, but any member requiring the information now can contact me, and a preliminary copy of the program can be emailed

15-19 January 2018 Grass Roots to Mountain Tops

COMMITTEE CONTACT DETAILS President, John Knight Ph 0434 674 347 e. [email protected] Vice-President Geoff Gosling Ph 0438 286 382 e. [email protected] Secretary, Michele Pymble Ph 02 4473 8587 e. [email protected] Minute Sec., Amanda Marsh Ph 0421 426 366 e. [email protected] Treasurer, Mary Harrison Ph 0421 423 200 e. [email protected] Membership Jenny John Ph 02 4476 3576 e. [email protected] Publicity Jillian Peck Ph 0421 432 953 e. [email protected] Website. southeast.austplants.com.au

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