Australian Plants Society South East NSW Group Newsletter 143 October 2018 Corymbia maculata Spotted Gum and Macrozamia communis Burrawang Contacts: President, John Knight, [email protected] Secretary, Vacant, Newsletter editor, John Knight, [email protected] Next Meeting Saturday 13th October 2018 Meeting at the garden of Cliff Williams and Marjorie Apthorpe 274 Western Distributor Road Currowan commencing at 10.30 am Members wishing to car-pool to save the long drive up the Kings H’way are to meet at 9.45am at the carpark toilet block on the left side of Princes Highway, Batemans Bay, just before crossing the Clyde R. bridge. (Those coming from the north will cross the Clyde and turn right immediately off the bridge) The roads once leaving the Kings H’way are unsealed, and a little rough and potholed. Western Distributor Road is about 22km up the Kings Highway from Batemans Bay. From the turnoff, the property is about 2.7km. Once on Western Distributor Road, you will cross Currowan Creek, pass Pig Road on the right, and then look for the “Verdigris” sign. The gate to 274 is next. The driveway down to the house is steep, with parking available in the paddock. This introduction to our visit is from Cliff. The property is set in a valley surrounding the Currowan Creek catchment, in the foothills of Budawang Range. By virtue of its location it possesses a unique microclimate abounding in naturally occurring rainforest species. The valley is dominated by Eucalyptus saligna (Sydney Blue Gum), some monster in size, and Angophora floribunda, along with naturally occurring Elaeocarpus reticulatus, Prostanthera lasianthos, Persoonia linearis, Polyscias murrayi, Cyathea australis, Livistona australis, Ficus coronata, with Pimelea axiflora, Claoxylon australe, Astrotricha ledifolia, Psychotria loniceroides, Backhousia mytifolia and much more along the creek. Australian Plant Society South East NSW Newsletter 143 October 2018 Page 1 The house garden is still in development stage and trying to cope with wallaby invasion, drought, and recent very heavy frosts. Grevillea, Banksia, and Hibbertia like the soil and climate. Hibbertia scandens grows naturally around, and the likes of Grevillea victoriae and G.lanigera become monster in size. The Elaeocarpus reticulatus are the biggest I've seen. It is very much a high growth area. There are a few plantings of exotics from previous owners, and some by Marjorie and myself, so the garden is not 'pure.' But we like the combination. Marjorie is working hard against the odds of slope, rock, and animal life, developing a mini Kings Park, with a wide range of WA plants. Much attention has been given to soil mix, alkalinity, and free drainage, with good success. Many are still in their early stage of growth but are mostly doing well. There are numerous additions still to be grown on and planted. Early afternoon we expect to explore a fire trail leading to what I regard as the iconic feature of the Budawangs, a ravine of waterfalls / cascades / ancient fig trees. The trail is normally closed by locked gate so it will be an opportunity to explore the plant offerings of a generally inaccessible area, and more so in that it is a recovery area from a bushfire many years ago. Those who are adventurous will want to descend into the ravine for the experience, and for the more adventurous there is a superb offering of a giant Citronella moorei, with a canopy covered with Asplenium australasicum. A rare example of a majestic tree. As always, members are advised to bring morning tea and lunch, and a chair. Wear sensible clothing and shoes suitable for the planned outdoor activities, and as Spring is in the air, a sunhat might be a wise inclusion. Note also that dogs are not permitted at APS activities. OOPS!! When arranging meeting dates for the year, the committee decided to avoid a meeting on the long weekend, and so postponed this meeting till the second weekend of the month. Only recently was it discovered that the long weekend actually fell in September this year. However, as we had already confirmed details, it was decided to continue with existing arrangements. Last Meeting report and photos by Mark Noake and John Knight A well attended meeting, and a lovely, sunny but not hot Wattle Day, presented the ideal opportunity for members to get together and discuss all things plants. (Australian plants, that is) Dry conditions had turned the lawn area brown, but members noted that the garden shrubs were looking at their best. After a welcome to members and visitors, as usual morning tea was first on the agenda, and the proffered cakes and slices were soon demolished by grateful recipients. Thanks also to Carolyn for providing freshly ground, and delightfully strong coffee. Is that a yellow robin over there, or is Paul in trouble? What did he say, we wonder. Australian Plant Society South East NSW Newsletter 143 October 2018 Page 2 Members were advised that APS Nowra was visiting Christina Kennedy’s garden soon, and we were invited to join them. (I am glad to advise that 7 of our members did so). Notice was also given about the quarterly gathering of APS NSW Region, hosted by APS East Hills Group, at Lugarno in Sydney’s west. David, as editor of Native Plants for New South Wales, was disappointed that the advertising for this event, published as a 2 page spread in his journal, had not been sent to members due to an issue with posting. (There is a report on this event later in this newsletter) Show and tell gave an opportunity for members to talk about their favourite plants. Being Wattle Day, Dave and Jan had a specimen of Australia’s floral emblem, Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) to display. Not often grown these days, A. pycnantha is suited to our drying weather pattern, and can tolerate quite harsh conditions. It does not however, like poor drainage, and sulks if humidity is too high. Catriona and Phil always have something of interest, and this time it was Isopogons. Well, what else could we expect? Featured was I.dawsonii, (Nepean Cone-bush), a medium sized shrub which occurs around the central coast and slopes west near Sydney. This attractive and adaptable shrub with large heads of creamy white flowers is reliable in cultivation, but again, sadly rarely grown these days. Jenny John, as well as providing her usual cakes, brought along some pea plants to discuss. It seems that few of us grow many species of this extensive family, except maybe Hardenbergia violacea. Jenny talked about the value of these smaller sub-shrubs, and the diversity of forms. Eutaxia obovata, with its bright green foliage, is an attractive shrub all year, and even more so when the plant is covered with small yellow and red flowers. One of many pea plants called Eggs and Bacon, E. obovata is easily accommodated in the garden, growing to 1m or so, is tolerant of sun or semi-shade, handles dry conditions well, and can be pruned to maintain a smaller size. Jenny noted that it can be shaped into a formal hedge if one wished to garden in that manner. Another small pea which has lost support is Chorizema Eutaxia obovata in full flower cordatum, Flame pea, with brilliant orange and red flowers held above its foliage. This Western Australian plant is an ideal filler for shaded sites, and is easy to maintain as a small plant with regular tip pruning. Have we forgotten that skill? Members then moved inside, where Mark had set up his visual display to discuss Grevilleas. Mention of the sad passing of pioneer plant activists Helen Rees and Pat Spiers (APSSE Newsletter for August 2018), and a recent call in the Grevillea Study Group’s newsletter to encourage growers of species grevilleas, inspired the talk on Saturday. Fun, intellectual stimulation, social interaction, and most importantly conservation and biodiversity (including wildlife) are all good reasons to pursue this pastime. In presenting images of several particularly attractive species grevilleas, Mark asked the question, “Why would we not grow such stunning plants?” Mark makes a point Australian Plant Society South East NSW Newsletter 143 October 2018 Page 3 Fragility of existing collections, threatened by climate change, wildfire and even funding and management directions creates a need for as many people as possible to keep species alive in their gardens. Fires have severely damaged “official” collections such as the grevillea collection near Stawell and, back in 1994, even at the ERBG. Road maintenance too often includes bulldozing rare plants. There are even fears that a highway could pass through the Grevillea Park at Bulli. Grevillea levis, (above) a shrub of 2m or so, was first described in 1994, by Peter Olde and Neil Marriott, and detailed in their 3 volume work, The Grevillea Book. It grows in heathy shrubland in South-western W.A., but has proved a reliable plant in cultivation. Likewise, Grevillea wilkinsonii (at left) is another recently named species, first discovered near Tumut, Southern N.S.W. in 1991, and described in 1993 by Bob Makinson. In cultivation it has proved both hardy and adaptable, also growing to 2m. or so, flowering freely over an extended period. It is not all gloom and doom, however, with good news including Di Clark and her small team of volunteers working to revamp the collection at ERBG. One only has to experience the positive attitudes evident at our local APS get togethers to realise just how much Australian plants are valued. Tactics for growing small collections include soil improvement and mulching to maintain moisture and reduce competition from weeds.