On a rather bleak winter’s day, 50 members and visitors attended the July Lakes Entrance Garden Club meeting.
But to warm it up, the club had ‘Mid Winter Madness’ once again, with the theme of ‘op shop finds’.
Many attended with amazing outfits from beautiful dresses to stunning fur coats to a Bob Marley fan to pinstripe suits to Bob the Builder – all a good deal of fun.
In July it is time to add up all the points earned on the show bench over the past 12 months.
And the winners are: 1, Ann Barker, 296 points; 2, Shirley Bardwell, 266 points; 3, Dearne Albert, 210 points. Highest scoring new member: Janice Kelly.
The show bench judge in July was Mary Gilbert from Buchan who, along with her husband Dennis, are still living in a shed on their property after losing nearly everything in the 2019-20 bushfires. It has been a slow process, but the good news is the slab for their new house has been finished, with framework to go up soon.
Mary thanked the club for the bushfire recovery plants that really helped with their healing.
Special sections in July include the arrangement depicting winter section which was won by Stan Barker’s entry in gold and green colours. Second was Ann Barker with reds and blues. Both used lovely conifers which are pretty in winter.
The second special section in July is for potted cyclamen in flower and first was Shirley Bardwell with a small flowered red cyclamen. Second was Dearne Albert with a pretty soft pink cyclamen.
Another special July section has three sub-sections for winter favourites. In the daphne section first was a beautiful large pink bloom from Fay Rowe. Second was a tiny pink flower from Ann Barker.
In the azalea section first was flame red and frilly from Shirley Bardwell and second was a tiny purple bloom from Ann Barker.
In the orchid section first went to Gwen Christopher with an unusual orchid – fine pointy petals of tan with a cream lip – all covered with spots. This was best exhibit of the day. Second was from Truus Adams, pale pink petals with deep pink lip. And also – keeping with the fun theme of this month – a pretty Lego orchid.
The five cuts section is good for those with limited flowering plants, as three flower cuts (there can be just one bloom or more – depending on the cut piece) and two foliage cuts are what is needed. Shirley Bardwell was first with daphne, lavender, thryptomene and rushes. Ann Barker was second with camelia, hellebore, native hibiscus and ferns.
In the one cut section Shirley Bardwell was first once again with a stunning pink and highly scented cut of luculia. If you do not know, this is a beautiful evergreen shrub to about three metres, with amazing blooms in winter – well worth growing. Second was Stan Barker with pink epacris.
The fruit section was won by Dearne Albert with a plate of lemons. The vegetable above ground section was won by Fay Rowe with a fresh bunch of spring onions. Second was Dearne Albert with crinkly leaved silverbeet.
Always hard to judge is the floral art section with this month’s theme Christmas in July. So, it was equal first for Dearne Albert with her Christmas wreath centred with a smiling Santa, lots of baubles, sparkling lights, greenery and pretty hessian bows. The other equal first went to Shirley Bardwell with a big arrangement backed with white epacris, more white in daphne and daffs, and pops of red baubles and fairy lights too. Second was Truus Adams her arrangement featuring orchids – white and red with bows made of different types of foliage and sparkling baubles too.
Guest speaker for July from East Gippsland Verge Garden Group was Judy Clarke who has been verge gardening since she was 18.
Instead of studying for her HSC she planted out the end of her street. This started with a few callistemons bought from the local nursery with the aim to make this sterile street in a very industrial suburb in New South Wales a better place to live.
So, what is verge gardening? It is the practice of growing ornamental, native or edible plants on the strip between the footpath and the road. EGVG suggest that you plant 80 per cent native and look for indigenous pollinators if possible.
The aim is to beautify and cool the streets, attract birds and insects, filter runoff rain, make the street full of life and this all benefits the council and community.
Be sensible when you plant out your verge, leave enough space for people to walk along the footpath easily, for people to get out of their cars if parked on the kerb, and the postie – just common sense things.
East Gippsland Verge Gardens has a Facebook page – but if you are looking for it, it is called Verge Gardens of East Gippsland.
The next Lakes Entrance Garden Club meeting is Monday, August 19, 1.30pm at the Mechanics Hall. Visitors are welcome.
