the following link is for an article on creating a butterfly garden using native plants.
and see this:
and a free on-line gardening magazine
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Cool Links
the following link is for an article on creating a butterfly garden using native plants.butterflies
and see this:
more butterfies
and a free on-line gardening magazine
Global Garden
the following link is for an article on creating a butterfly garden using native plants.
and see this:
and a free on-line gardening magazine
Below is the list of excursions for 2008. Click on the image and it should open in a new window and you can make the text bigger.
Design with Nature - Planning a Native Garden
Excerpts from the PowerPoint presentation prepared by Lawrie Smith landscape architect providing a check list of the principal aspects to be considered in the landscape planning, design and plant selection for your home garden.
FIRST . . .
Record the physical characteristics of your garden whether new or under rehabilitation
Prepare a layout plan showing the size and shape of your block . . .
• Most important – locate north!
• Indicate the slopes and levels
• Indicate the on-site & adjacent structures
• Show the underground and overhead services
• Define the landform, rock & soil patterns
• Locate existing vegetation for preservation
SECOND . . .
Get to know your site and its surrounds, personally
Illustrate on the layout plan the physical and microclimate impacts . . .
• Most important – locate north!
• Assess the patterns of sunshine and shadow
• Identify the effects of storm, wind, breeze
• Identify the effects of rainfall and water runoff
• Identify the positive and negative views
• Assess the quality of the soils & sub-soils
• Identify existing vegetation for preservation, transplant or removal
THIRD. . .
Indentify your principal family needs & functions
Define on plan how YOU want to use the garden . . .
• Assess your budget, priorities & available time
• Plan for interesting arrival & first impressions
• Identify vehicle circulation requirements
• Plan functional & interesting access pathways
• Define and locate areas for outdoor living activities
• Plan for children’s play facilities
• Identify areas for work activities in the garden
Don’t forget – a garden is an artistic creation that evolves over time
FOURTH. . .
Choose a style & theme for your garden
Your preferred garden character will influence the site planning & plant selection.
Is your garden to be . . .
• Formal, informal, traditional, contemporary or for seasonal horticultural display?
• Reflect the architectural style of the house?
• Exciting fusion of plants and materials
• Bush garden, rainforest, coastal, cottage or ?
• Collectors, scientific, experimental?
• ‘Walkabout’ or stroll garden?
• New fresh and uniquely Australian!
• Fundamentally simple, livable & affordable
FIFTH . . .
Now you are ready to select plants for your garden
Each plant has differing attributes . . .
• What is it? – tree, shrub, cover, vine, fern, palm or ?
• Where is it from?
• What conditions does it prefer?
• How big does it grow in nature?
• Does it adapt to horticultural techniques?
• Have you seen it thriving nearby?
• What is its most prominent feature – form, foliage, flowers, fruits, bark or ?
• Where are the most flowers and colourful foliage displayed & when?
LISTEN TO THE PLANTS!
To help you select the right species
They can tell you about themselves . . .
• Large leaves = shade tolerance
• Small leaves = sun preference
• Thick & waxy leaves = store water for later (water wise)
• Swollen trunk = store water (drought tolerant)
• Ligno tubers = fire resistance
• Aromatic = insect resistance
• Massive seed production = weed potential
• Grey & silver leaves = sun tolerant & salt resistant
• Delicate leaves = moisture stress indicator
• Thorns & spines = wildlife protection & habitat
TREES
Trees have a variety of characteristics and functions
• Evergreen or deciduous
• Consider root systems
• Diverse forms: globular, upright, umbrella, irregular, weeping, conical, etc
• Specimen tree as a feature or focus element: form, foliage, bark, flower , fruit or fragrance
• Shade tree locate to control sunshine and shadow
• Multi planted as a grove, forest or windbreak
PALMS & CYCADS
Palm fronds add a special & unique character to a garden
• Size: tall, medium, low
• Self cleaning or persistent fronds
• Feather frond or palmate frond
• Individual specimens
• Formal avenues
• Informal groves
SHRUBS
Shrubs fulfill some important design functions . . .
• Size: tall, medium, low
• Screens & hedges: privacy, conceal, windbreak, filter breeze,
• Feature: form, foliage, flower, fruit, fragrance
• Shrubbery: foliage contrast, water zone
• Aesthetic: colour, texture,
GROUNDCOVERS
Covers are diverse in colour, texture and form as well as functionally and structurally useful . . .
• Dwarf shrubs, mattes, tufts, vines, scramblers, grasses, ferns,
• Erosion control
• Living mulch
• Feature plants, seasonal colour
VINES & SCRAMBLERS
Vines are functionally and structurally useful . . .
• Select & locate to maximize flower display – over canopy, under canopy, along stems
• Shade & shelter: pergola and arbours
• Softening: fence, walls,
• Maintenance: pruning, woody, fire, tree damage
FIVE BASIC PLANTING TECHNIQUES FOR ANY AUSSIE GARDEN
WATER WISE GARDEN DESIGN ISSUES
1. Garden Layout & Maintenance - to simplify & minimise water application;
• Group plants with similar water needs together - Hydrozoning
• Shallow regular watering (unwise) – encourages roots to remain in the drier upper soil levels
• Deep soaking watering less often (wise) – draws roots down to permanent reserves of subsoil moisture
• Apply water deep down in the root zone through a slotted tube (wise) – to replenish subsoil reserves of moisture
2. Soil – aeration, fertility, additives;
• Amend soil texture to improve water absorption and aeration – add sand and organic material;
• Use additives to lock applied moisture into soil so it is progressively available to plants;
• Do not over fertilize and promote soft new growth – can you supply enough water to keep the plant alive?
3. Exposure - sun or shade, air movement;
• Reduce exposure to sun and minimise moisture loss through transpiration
• Utilize available shade from house or trees to insulate plants from drying sun
• Protect plants from excessive air movement to inhibit loss of moisture from foliage
• Plant windbreaks and water-efficient shade trees to create cool shaded conditions
4. Landform - water runoff & harvesting;
• Form suitable landform to collect surface water to absorb into subsoil and minimise runoff
5. Insulate the garden against the sun
• Mulch; Mulch; Mulch;
• A minimum of 100mm of mulch will insulate the soil like a blanket and conserve applied moisture
Choose & use Australian Native Plants
a basic element for landscape design
Excerpts from the PowerPoint presentation prepared by Lawrie Smith landscape architect providing a check list of the principal aspects to be considered in the landscape planning, design and plant selection for your home garden.
FIRST . . .
Record the physical characteristics of your garden whether new or under rehabilitation
Prepare a layout plan showing the size and shape of your block . . .
• Most important – locate north!
• Indicate the slopes and levels
• Indicate the on-site & adjacent structures
• Show the underground and overhead services
• Define the landform, rock & soil patterns
• Locate existing vegetation for preservation
SECOND . . .
Get to know your site and its surrounds, personally
Illustrate on the layout plan the physical and microclimate impacts . . .
• Most important – locate north!
• Assess the patterns of sunshine and shadow
• Identify the effects of storm, wind, breeze
• Identify the effects of rainfall and water runoff
• Identify the positive and negative views
• Assess the quality of the soils & sub-soils
• Identify existing vegetation for preservation, transplant or removal
THIRD. . .
Indentify your principal family needs & functions
Define on plan how YOU want to use the garden . . .
• Assess your budget, priorities & available time
• Plan for interesting arrival & first impressions
• Identify vehicle circulation requirements
• Plan functional & interesting access pathways
• Define and locate areas for outdoor living activities
• Plan for children’s play facilities
• Identify areas for work activities in the garden
Don’t forget – a garden is an artistic creation that evolves over time
FOURTH. . .
Choose a style & theme for your garden
Your preferred garden character will influence the site planning & plant selection.
Is your garden to be . . .
• Formal, informal, traditional, contemporary or for seasonal horticultural display?
• Reflect the architectural style of the house?
• Exciting fusion of plants and materials
• Bush garden, rainforest, coastal, cottage or ?
• Collectors, scientific, experimental?
• ‘Walkabout’ or stroll garden?
• New fresh and uniquely Australian!
• Fundamentally simple, livable & affordable
FIFTH . . .
Now you are ready to select plants for your garden
Each plant has differing attributes . . .
• What is it? – tree, shrub, cover, vine, fern, palm or ?
• Where is it from?
• What conditions does it prefer?
• How big does it grow in nature?
• Does it adapt to horticultural techniques?
• Have you seen it thriving nearby?
• What is its most prominent feature – form, foliage, flowers, fruits, bark or ?
• Where are the most flowers and colourful foliage displayed & when?
LISTEN TO THE PLANTS!
To help you select the right species
They can tell you about themselves . . .
• Large leaves = shade tolerance
• Small leaves = sun preference
• Thick & waxy leaves = store water for later (water wise)
• Swollen trunk = store water (drought tolerant)
• Ligno tubers = fire resistance
• Aromatic = insect resistance
• Massive seed production = weed potential
• Grey & silver leaves = sun tolerant & salt resistant
• Delicate leaves = moisture stress indicator
• Thorns & spines = wildlife protection & habitat
TREES
Trees have a variety of characteristics and functions
• Evergreen or deciduous
• Consider root systems
• Diverse forms: globular, upright, umbrella, irregular, weeping, conical, etc
• Specimen tree as a feature or focus element: form, foliage, bark, flower , fruit or fragrance
• Shade tree locate to control sunshine and shadow
• Multi planted as a grove, forest or windbreak
PALMS & CYCADS
Palm fronds add a special & unique character to a garden
• Size: tall, medium, low
• Self cleaning or persistent fronds
• Feather frond or palmate frond
• Individual specimens
• Formal avenues
• Informal groves
SHRUBS
Shrubs fulfill some important design functions . . .
• Size: tall, medium, low
• Screens & hedges: privacy, conceal, windbreak, filter breeze,
• Feature: form, foliage, flower, fruit, fragrance
• Shrubbery: foliage contrast, water zone
• Aesthetic: colour, texture,
GROUNDCOVERS
Covers are diverse in colour, texture and form as well as functionally and structurally useful . . .
• Dwarf shrubs, mattes, tufts, vines, scramblers, grasses, ferns,
• Erosion control
• Living mulch
• Feature plants, seasonal colour
VINES & SCRAMBLERS
Vines are functionally and structurally useful . . .
• Select & locate to maximize flower display – over canopy, under canopy, along stems
• Shade & shelter: pergola and arbours
• Softening: fence, walls,
• Maintenance: pruning, woody, fire, tree damage
FIVE BASIC PLANTING TECHNIQUES FOR ANY AUSSIE GARDEN
WATER WISE GARDEN DESIGN ISSUES
1. Garden Layout & Maintenance - to simplify & minimise water application;
• Group plants with similar water needs together - Hydrozoning
• Shallow regular watering (unwise) – encourages roots to remain in the drier upper soil levels
• Deep soaking watering less often (wise) – draws roots down to permanent reserves of subsoil moisture
• Apply water deep down in the root zone through a slotted tube (wise) – to replenish subsoil reserves of moisture
2. Soil – aeration, fertility, additives;
• Amend soil texture to improve water absorption and aeration – add sand and organic material;
• Use additives to lock applied moisture into soil so it is progressively available to plants;
• Do not over fertilize and promote soft new growth – can you supply enough water to keep the plant alive?
3. Exposure - sun or shade, air movement;
• Reduce exposure to sun and minimise moisture loss through transpiration
• Utilize available shade from house or trees to insulate plants from drying sun
• Protect plants from excessive air movement to inhibit loss of moisture from foliage
• Plant windbreaks and water-efficient shade trees to create cool shaded conditions
4. Landform - water runoff & harvesting;
• Form suitable landform to collect surface water to absorb into subsoil and minimise runoff
5. Insulate the garden against the sun
• Mulch; Mulch; Mulch;
• A minimum of 100mm of mulch will insulate the soil like a blanket and conserve applied moisture
Choose & use Australian Native Plants
a basic element for landscape design
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Australian Native Seeds in Space
Follow this link to an interesting recent article in Gumnuts
Australian Native Seeds in Space
Follow this link to an interesting recent article in Gumnuts
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Excursions and Meetings Program 2008
Please register for all excursions
Sun 2 March Meet 8am at Canoe Point, Tannum Sands, Clean up rubbish in the area of bushland, parkland, beach and river, sports fields. BYO Lunch. Visit the Wetlands, view tree planting, bird spotting. 2pm meet at Tannum Nursery, about 3 relocate to Esplanade, walk along paths, survey landscaping of area, afternoon tea.
Sun 13 April Meet 9am at front carpark Tondoon. Travel 7 km to property of Keith and Vicky. Walk in bushland & visit scrub. BYO food for all day.
Sun 4 May Meet 10am in Siding Road, Beecher. Look for balloons and SGAP, indicating where to turn in to property of Tom and Paula. This is a second acreage property which joins Beecher State Forest. Compile species list. BYO lunch. Bird spotting.
Sun 1 June Ecofest at Tondoon. Family day lots of entertainment. SGAP will have a display, book and plant sale. Set up from 7:30am.
Sun 8 June Meet 9am Gardens cafe Tondoon. Visit by SGAPS with Lawrie Smith - this is buy at cafe or BYO lunch. Walk around Tondoon with Lawrie and Brent.
Sun 20 July Meet 9:45am at Lt Larcom Cafe. Raglan Street Mt Larcom. Lyn Field's bush tucker morning tea. Billy tea and damper, $5.00. Display and talk on Bush Tucker by Lyn. Bring specimens. 11am we move to Scrub Creek with Bev or Cheryl. BYO Lunch and afternoon tea.
Sun 17 August Meet 9am Road House on Fingerboard Ropad, on your right on rise. Leave Gladstone by 7:45 am to be on time. Meet George and Glenis. Travel in sedan ok, need full fuel tank. We will visit Round Hill National Park - rainforest. May visit other vegetation in area.
Thur ?? September Meet the judge night - dinner and speaker
Sun ?? September Meet 9am garden awards
Sun ?? September Meet at pickup for coach tour of prize gardens. Bookings essential with Secretary of Civic Beautification Committee 4978 1957
September CANCELLED Qld State conference at Kingaroy
Sun 19 October Meet 9am at Rest Stop, Raglan Street, Mt Larcom. Travel in convoy to view scrub. BYO food for all day.
Sat 25 October Meet 6pm Tondoon 20th Anniversary dinner, charge applies. Bookings - Tondoon 4971 4444.
Sun 16 November Meet 9am at fishing carpark on the south side of the Calliope River, just past the Power Station. Excursion to Wiggins Island - mangroves and other vegetation. BYO insect repelleant and food, all day.
Sun 14 December Meet 10am at 230 Morcom Street, Calliope - visit 5000 trees planted by John in the past 3 years. BYO lunch.
Sun 18 January Meet 10am at Gardens Cafe Tondoon. Morning Tea. Pay membership 2009 $5.00. Walk around Tondoon. Lunch 12pm to 1pm. Meeting follows 2pm to 3.30pm. AGM - appoint 3 officers for 2009.
Sunday 15 February Meet 10am at Kiosk on left in Spinnaker Park Gladstone. Morning tea. Look at landscaping and compile species list as we walk around the trails. Lunch 12 to 1pm in shelter ? Relocate to the Parkland Marina Soundshell area. Walk along bank of Auckland Creek. Compile mangroves list, from mouth to past University. You might see rabbits.
Sunday 1 March Meet 8am at Canoe Point - Clean Up Australia Day BYO Lunch. Afternoon, look at revegetation of dune around area, by coast care group.
Please register for all excursions
Sun 2 March Meet 8am at Canoe Point, Tannum Sands, Clean up rubbish in the area of bushland, parkland, beach and river, sports fields. BYO Lunch. Visit the Wetlands, view tree planting, bird spotting. 2pm meet at Tannum Nursery, about 3 relocate to Esplanade, walk along paths, survey landscaping of area, afternoon tea.
Sun 13 April Meet 9am at front carpark Tondoon. Travel 7 km to property of Keith and Vicky. Walk in bushland & visit scrub. BYO food for all day.
Sun 4 May Meet 10am in Siding Road, Beecher. Look for balloons and SGAP, indicating where to turn in to property of Tom and Paula. This is a second acreage property which joins Beecher State Forest. Compile species list. BYO lunch. Bird spotting.
Sun 1 June Ecofest at Tondoon. Family day lots of entertainment. SGAP will have a display, book and plant sale. Set up from 7:30am.
Sun 8 June Meet 9am Gardens cafe Tondoon. Visit by SGAPS with Lawrie Smith - this is buy at cafe or BYO lunch. Walk around Tondoon with Lawrie and Brent.
Sun 20 July Meet 9:45am at Lt Larcom Cafe. Raglan Street Mt Larcom. Lyn Field's bush tucker morning tea. Billy tea and damper, $5.00. Display and talk on Bush Tucker by Lyn. Bring specimens. 11am we move to Scrub Creek with Bev or Cheryl. BYO Lunch and afternoon tea.
Sun 17 August Meet 9am Road House on Fingerboard Ropad, on your right on rise. Leave Gladstone by 7:45 am to be on time. Meet George and Glenis. Travel in sedan ok, need full fuel tank. We will visit Round Hill National Park - rainforest. May visit other vegetation in area.
Thur ?? September Meet the judge night - dinner and speaker
Sun ?? September Meet 9am garden awards
Sun ?? September Meet at pickup for coach tour of prize gardens. Bookings essential with Secretary of Civic Beautification Committee 4978 1957
September CANCELLED Qld State conference at Kingaroy
Sun 19 October Meet 9am at Rest Stop, Raglan Street, Mt Larcom. Travel in convoy to view scrub. BYO food for all day.
Sat 25 October Meet 6pm Tondoon 20th Anniversary dinner, charge applies. Bookings - Tondoon 4971 4444.
Sun 16 November Meet 9am at fishing carpark on the south side of the Calliope River, just past the Power Station. Excursion to Wiggins Island - mangroves and other vegetation. BYO insect repelleant and food, all day.
Sun 14 December Meet 10am at 230 Morcom Street, Calliope - visit 5000 trees planted by John in the past 3 years. BYO lunch.
Sun 18 January Meet 10am at Gardens Cafe Tondoon. Morning Tea. Pay membership 2009 $5.00. Walk around Tondoon. Lunch 12pm to 1pm. Meeting follows 2pm to 3.30pm. AGM - appoint 3 officers for 2009.
Sunday 15 February Meet 10am at Kiosk on left in Spinnaker Park Gladstone. Morning tea. Look at landscaping and compile species list as we walk around the trails. Lunch 12 to 1pm in shelter ? Relocate to the Parkland Marina Soundshell area. Walk along bank of Auckland Creek. Compile mangroves list, from mouth to past University. You might see rabbits.
Sunday 1 March Meet 8am at Canoe Point - Clean Up Australia Day BYO Lunch. Afternoon, look at revegetation of dune around area, by coast care group.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
BOOK FOR SALE - $11
The Society for Growing Australian Plants Queensland Region Inc
1957 to 2007
50 years of Knowing and Growing Australian Plants.
by Jan Sked
Ruth has 9 of these to sell. A comprehensive history and a trip down memory lane!
The Society for Growing Australian Plants Queensland Region Inc
1957 to 2007
50 years of Knowing and Growing Australian Plants.
by Jan Sked
Ruth has 9 of these to sell. A comprehensive history and a trip down memory lane!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Interesting Links:
The May 2007 ABC 'Gardening Australia' has a large supplement by NGIA (the Nursery and Garden Industry Association) and they feature plans for an Aussie Kitchen Garden - see link:
Aussie Kitchen Garden
The following is a Victoria based site for sustainable gardens - you can subscribe free to their monthly on-line magazine:magazine
This site also has ideas for a native garden:Native Plants
The May 2007 ABC 'Gardening Australia' has a large supplement by NGIA (the Nursery and Garden Industry Association) and they feature plans for an Aussie Kitchen Garden - see link:
The following is a Victoria based site for sustainable gardens - you can subscribe free to their monthly on-line magazine:
This site also has ideas for a native garden:
Saturday, February 17, 2007
SGAP Gladstone Calendar:
Thursday 1 March:
Meet 2pm at Tondoon Visitors - set up display
Sunday 4 March:
Clean up Australia Day, meet 8 am at Canoe Point
1pm Garden visit at Pacific Ranch
2:30pm bushland visit
Sunday 8 April:
Property visit - "Stowe Park" - Calliope
Meet 8:45am in front of hall, Stirrat St, Calliope
Biodynamics talk
Sunday 20 May:
Meet 9am at Benaraby Service Station
Travel to Turkey Beach, Bush walk of 1 and a half Km.
Sunday 3 June:
Ecofest at Tondoon Gardens
Set up 4pm Sat and from 7am Sunday
Bush Tucker display and walk by Lyn Field
Sat 9, 10, 11, June:
50th anniversary of SGAP Qld at Brisbane.
Dinner, garden visits, history of SGAP book launch
Sunday 24 June:
Meet 10am at Tondoon Gardens (Admin area)
Propogation workshop and guest speaker.
Sunday 8 July:
Meet at 9am at Visitors Information Centre, Miriam Vale.
Travel to a property in the area (full fuel tank required)
Sunday 19 August:
Meet at 9am at Road House on Agnes Water and Fingerboard Rd
Travel to Deepwater property. Camping overnight on Saturday available (BYO everything)
Full fuel tank required
September (Date to be announced)
Garden awards - Judges dinner, talk and morning tea, coach tour of winning gardens - book early!!
Sunday 18 Oct
Meet at 22 Cathurbie Crt, New Auckland. Garden visit (winner of Novice garden 2006)
Sunday 19 Nov
Meet at 10am at Tondoon Gardens (admin). Visit to extra land aquired for Tondoon extension. Bird spotting, creek and eucalypt woodland
Sunday 9 Dec
Meet at 10am at Lake Awoonga for break up. Talks, weed spotting, lunch.
Thursday 1 March:
Meet 2pm at Tondoon Visitors - set up display
Sunday 4 March:
Clean up Australia Day, meet 8 am at Canoe Point
1pm Garden visit at Pacific Ranch
2:30pm bushland visit
Sunday 8 April:
Property visit - "Stowe Park" - Calliope
Meet 8:45am in front of hall, Stirrat St, Calliope
Biodynamics talk
Sunday 20 May:
Meet 9am at Benaraby Service Station
Travel to Turkey Beach, Bush walk of 1 and a half Km.
Sunday 3 June:
Ecofest at Tondoon Gardens
Set up 4pm Sat and from 7am Sunday
Bush Tucker display and walk by Lyn Field
Sat 9, 10, 11, June:
50th anniversary of SGAP Qld at Brisbane.
Dinner, garden visits, history of SGAP book launch
Sunday 24 June:
Meet 10am at Tondoon Gardens (Admin area)
Propogation workshop and guest speaker.
Sunday 8 July:
Meet at 9am at Visitors Information Centre, Miriam Vale.
Travel to a property in the area (full fuel tank required)
Sunday 19 August:
Meet at 9am at Road House on Agnes Water and Fingerboard Rd
Travel to Deepwater property. Camping overnight on Saturday available (BYO everything)
Full fuel tank required
September (Date to be announced)
Garden awards - Judges dinner, talk and morning tea, coach tour of winning gardens - book early!!
Sunday 18 Oct
Meet at 22 Cathurbie Crt, New Auckland. Garden visit (winner of Novice garden 2006)
Sunday 19 Nov
Meet at 10am at Tondoon Gardens (admin). Visit to extra land aquired for Tondoon extension. Bird spotting, creek and eucalypt woodland
Sunday 9 Dec
Meet at 10am at Lake Awoonga for break up. Talks, weed spotting, lunch.
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