Montrose Gardeners presents All about Herbs

Bernadette Touhy is a long-time enthusiastic member of the Herb Society of Victoria. She has been growing and using herbs for many years and is always inspired and excited by the diverse world of herbs.

Bernadette will bring lots of fresh herbs to demonstrate their aesthetic, sensory, medicinal & culinary qualities, many of which have been in use for hundreds of years.

The Herb Society of Victoria was formed more than thirty years ago by a small group of enthusiasts, and has grown over the years to a large organisation with branches throughout the state.

Tea & Coffee provided

When: Tuesday 15th November 1pm
Where: The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth
Cost: Gold coin donation
Bookings essential phone 97251932 (The Bridge) 9728 4224 (Montrose Library) or book online - Herbs

Cheers, webgurl

Montrose Gardeners presents Chrysanthemums - how to grow this popular perennial

Learn the "how to's" of growing this popular perennial, from William Orange, a member of the Chrysanthemum Society of Victoria.

Chrysanthemums are symbolic of Mothers Day, and greatly revered in Japan - so much so in fact that Japan has a National Chrysanthemum Day, also known as the "Festival of Happiness". They are one of the most popular flowers in the world, next only to roses, with varieties including daisy-like, decorative, pom poms and buttons. They are an easy-care perennial that can be grown in garden beds or in pots; they are also one of the best long-lasting cut flower varieties.

Tea & coffee provided.

When: Tuesday 20th September 1pm
Where: The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 9725 1932 or 9728 4224 or book online - chrysanthemums

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners presents "Salvias for Everyone"

Karen Meewissen, a member of the Salvia Study Group of Victoria will introduce you to the fascinating world of Salvias, at The Bridge Community Garden Centre.

Did you know:

• that Salvias flower all year round?
• that Salvias can be propagated by cuttings, division and seed?
• that there are many different flower colours - pink, red, white, blue

To see Salvias in bloom at any time of the year, you can visit the Salvia Display Garden at Nobelius Heritage Park in Emerald. And for more information including how to become a member of the Salvia Study Group, visit their website www.salvias.org.au

Tea & coffee provided

When: Tuesday 16th November 1pm
Where: The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth
Cost: Gold Coin Donation please
Bookings essential phone 9728 4224 or 9725 1932  or book online - Salvias

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners - The Art of Tussie Mussies

Helen will demonstrate the fine art of making a "Tussie-Mussie" or word poesy: a small circular nosegay of flowers & herbs, tightly gathered and designed to carry a special message in the language of flowers.  The traditional tussie-mussie is composed of fragrant herbs surrounding one central flower,a rose.

Please bring some flowers, greenery & herbs from your garden (Helen will supply some materials) and take home a beautiful "tussie-mussie" .

When: Tuesday 17th November 1pm
Where: Montrose Library, Corner Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 9728 4224

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose gardeners presents Heirloom Vegetables for the home garden

Graeme George, from Earthcare Permaculture, will talk about the advantages of growing Traditional Heirloom Vegetables in your home garden, rather than modern hybrid commercial varieties. These are the hardy, tasty varieties that have stood the test of time, that are still around because home gardeners prefer to grow them. Varieties suitable for our cool temperate climate will be emphasised.  There will also be seeds available for purchase.

When: Tuesday 20th October 1pm
Where: Montrose Library, Corner Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road, Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97284224

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners : Local plants & animals in the home garden

Almost everyone would like to attract wildlife of some kind into their garden - without a little wildlife the suburbs are sterile, lifeless and boring places. Fortunately, by intelligent use of local native and exotic plants we can attract a range of Australian wildlife into even city gardens. In the outer east we are fortunate to have so much bush around us, offering us a greater variety of birds, butterflies, mammals and reptiles. Additionally, by providing habitats for these animals in our gardens, we are helping local conservation efforts to ensure their survival.

Daniel, from Candlebark Community Nursery will talk on helping to conserve our local plants and animals in the home garden

When: Friday 21st August 1pm
Where: Montrose Library, Cnr Mt. Dandenong Tourist Rd & Swansea Rd, Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97284224

For your diary: Plant swap & chat at The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth. Tuesday 8th September 12:30pm.
BYO lunch, a plant or cutting to swap, & a gold coin donation. Bookings essential 97251932

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners - Heritage fruit trees

Heritage Fruit trees, including Dwarf Fruit Trees suitable for kitchen or small gardens.
Graham George, from the Yarra Valley Permaculture Group, will reveal the delights of growing "old-fashioned" fruit trees - varieties that have stood the test of time - where taste and reliability are the all-important factors.

When: Tuesday 21st July 1:30pm
Where: Montrose Library, Corner Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road
Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97284224

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners - Succulent success with Attila Kapitany

The mind tends to limit succulents to a particular style and yet imaginative garden designers have in recent years explored the possibilities like never before. Join Attila on an almost unbelievable visual treat. Discover how succulents can be made to look soft and luxuriant in the garden, mixing succulents with annuals, spring bulbs and under roses? There are a few tricks involved.

Atilla Kapitany, well-known expert and author on the subject of succulents, will also bring along plants and books for sale and display.

When: Tuesday 19th May 1pm
Where: Montrose Library, Cnr Swansea & Mt Dandenong Rds, Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97363851

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners - Peter Douglas

Peter Douglas, Manager of Scotsburn Nurseries will give an inspiring presentation on the art of hanging baskets. In 2001, Scotsburn Nurseries helped establish The Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria's Great Victorian Hanging Basket Competition at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. Scotsburn Nurseries, established in 1935, supplies flower & vegetable seedlings to many retail outlets.

When: Tuesday 17th March 1pm
Where: Montrose Library, Corner Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road, Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97284224

Cheers, Maryanne

Leanne Gillies from Fleming's Nurseries

Montrose Gardeners presents Leanne Gillies from Fleming's Nurseries, who will speak on:

• Her involvement with the Chelsea Flower Show (view the stunning gold medal entry for the 2008 show)
  
• Top ten trees - choosing the right tree
• Suggestions for some lovely Christmas gifts

In 14 years at Fleming's, Leanne has worked in a number of areas of the business, including research & development, propagation, production and sales. Her current role includes looking after Fleming's Student Design Competition, and the annual Fleming's entry for the Chelsea Flower Show.

When: Tuesday 18th November 1pm
Where: Montrose Library, Cnr Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd & Swansea Rd, Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97284224

Cheers, Maryanne

Lunch with Jill Hess

Montrose Gardeners invites you to 'Lunch with Jill Hess'. Jill will cook up a treat using seasonal produce, taking you through each recipe, step-by-step. Lunch will include nibbles, main meal & a sweet. Recipe sheets will be provided.

When: Tuesday 21st October 12:30pm
Where: Montrose Public Hall, 1B Leith Rd, Montrose
Cost: $7.50 - payable at Japara House, Montrose or Mt Evelyn Libraries only, no later than Saturday 18th October please
Bookings essential phone Japara House 97283587 or Montrose Library 97284224

Cheers, Maryanne