� September 2016 Newsletter

OFFICE BEARERS

President Doug Hearle 21 Beechboro Rd South

Bayswater WA

ph: 92716570

Vice President Alan Thomas

Secretary Es Pashley 69 Broadhurst Cr

Bateman WA 6150

ph: 0438533049

erpashley@yahoo.com

Treasurer Bob Perks rkperks@gmail.com

MEETING DATES FOR 2016

2 October Araluen Botanic Park 2.30 pm

23 October Kath Munro 2.30 pm

36 Williamson Road

Kardinya 6163

ph: 9310 4984

Camellia News of Western Australia

Meeting held on 28 August at Pioneer Gardens Nursery

Present:

Joan Pashley, Kath Munro, Alan Thomas, Mark Dwyer, Bob Perks, Doug Hearle, Lucy Wield, Heather Liddle, Colin Bird, Jean Evans, Es Pashley, Minnie Giannogostino and Alison Bauer.

Apologies:

none received

How fortunate we are to be able to hold a meeting in such superb surroundings, everywhere we looked we had a vista of beautiful camellias and azaleas. Thank you Helen, Garry and Cob for providing the venue for our meeting.

Secretary’s Report Es Pashley

Very little correspondence was received this month. The only newsletters received were from the Adelaide Affiliates. At the Congress it maybe necessary to mention that other newsletters were not being received by the Secretary which would enable our members to be informed of activities occurring in other States. Copies of Our Garden were received and were passed around to members and calendar orders were taken. These have since arrived and will be distributed at the next meeting.

The feedback held on Romance Roses and Doug’s garden were very positive and hopefully both will be revisited next year with the dates to be set at the final meeting of the year.

The date for the September meeting has been altered and is now to be held at Araluen on the 2 October. This has been confirmed with Grant and we can hold the meeting in the Boardroom. Members attending need to mention that they are attending the Camellia meeting and the entry fee will be waived. There will not be a bloom competition this month.

The report was moved by Heather Liddle and seconded by Jean Evans.

Treasurer's Report Bob Perks

The balance of our account for the society is $3904.79 with the addition of the raffle and the amount raised at the opening of Doug's garden to be advised at a later date.

The remainder of the meeting was setting the date and time for the working bee at Fred Jacoby Forest Park in Mundaring and discussing ideas for meetings in 2017.The voting resulted in the winner of the large bloom being Valentine Day grown by Doug Hearle and the small section, Grace Albritton, grown by Joan Pashley. There were 2 seedlings on show with the winner being voted Jean Evans.The prize for the raffle was a beautiful Nuccio’s Pearl donated by Pioneer. The winner was Alison Bauer. Congratulations Alison, a fabulous way to celebrate being a visitor to our meeting.

Valentine Day Grace Albritton

Working Party at Fred Jacoby Forest Park

At Bob Perks’ request, eight Camellia Society members arrived at the Park to rejuvenate a collection of old camellia trees. My memory of these trees was my first outing with the Western Australian Camellia Society when we went to see the trees in situ during a Camellia Conference in 1982,  During the outing we walked through a grove of trees from the upper car park down to the lower and then on to the Pumping Station of Mundaring Weir.  There the trees were massive and amongst the group was a C. Paolini Maggi.  In the upper area were tall camellia trees, I remember a C. Myrtifolia but very few others by name.   On one of my subsequent visits I was so disappointed to notice that most of these camellias had been removed.  It was a pleasure to see the trees Bob had discovered.  Included were,  C. Lavinia Maggi, an old camellia which sports red and white blooms.  Today only the red sports were visible amongst the many striped flowers. In the first clump of trees worked on, were C. Lavinia Maggi but there was a beautiful flowering C. Mrs H Boyce, a heavily veined pale pink flower.  Next to it was a red bloom which had similar markings to C. Emperor of Russia but a single flower with some varying in size. I admit I didn’t take as much interest in this bush, after all we were there to work. 

The team consisted of Doug Hearle, Bob Perks, Es and Joan Pashley, Minnie and Ennio Giannogostino, Roderick Crofts and myself. With much gusto, work commenced cutting out the dead wood and trimming, often removing the limbs. The piles of damaged branches outstripped the trees, but oh how much better the pruned plants looked. We certainly deserved the break after our efforts and I enjoyed Joan’s oatmeal cookies.  The next task was to cross the dry-creek-bed and attend to the White grove.  The bushes of white flowers are, I’m pretty sure Alba Plena,  but in this area were possibly Helenor with some variations similar to Tabbs and High Jinx. Next year when the trees are flourishing it will be easier to tell, after all we were there to work today.

Seedling

An exhausted band of workers downed tools about 1.30 pm. leaving stacks of cut- off branches behind.  I despaired as I thought of the use a florist could put to the foliage and the fun a wood-turner would have with some of the thick wood.

Roderick and I went to the area I had visited in 1982 where there are only a few of the original trees. Some of these might be seedlings, however, there was an old C. Mrs Skotowe  alongside a beautiful flowering C. Drama Girl. There were others along the way around the trail but they will be the subject of a later visit.

We were fortunate to be able to meet with Lyn Wiggins and daughter Linda when we arrived at the park, to receive Barry’s library of Camellia Books. Thank you very much for passing on his books and know that others will appreciate and enjoy reading this fine collection.

Jean Evans

Lunch at Araluen on 2 October

Because of where we are having our meeting, I propose we meet at 11.30 outside Chateau Healy for a picnic before going to look at the gardens. If you would like to join us, we will see you there.

Camellia Congress The Congress held in Launceston this year was a resounding success. The accommodation at the Country Club was excellent as were the surroundings which was not surprising as it was a well appointed golf course. An added bonus was the Casino within the main building although I am unsure if anyone had the time or inclination to play the tables or machines.

Registration was on the Friday with the Welcome dinner in the evening. It was great to meet up with like-minded people, put faces to names and greet friends from the

past. We were well represented this year with Bob and Mary Person, Bob Perks, Nick Delides, Fay Garstone, Joan and myself attending. I think this is the most Western Australian members attending a Congress!

The next few days were extremely busy being involved in seeing the things we all love. On Saturday there was a small coaster as well as a large bus, carrying us around to see fabulous gardens. Most of the WA delegates ended up in the coaster for some reason and we were very ably supervised by David Gliddon. Our first stop was at St Ailbi’s Hall to view the National Camellia Show. Some of these blooms were breathtakingly beautiful and the whole display of flowers was a sight to behold. I was quite envious of the array of flowers available in this climate.

I am afraid my photos do not do some of these blooms justice!

We moved onto Ray Hawkins garden where there were so many plants, I couldn’t hazard a guess of the number but I don’t think I would be exaggerating if I said over a thousand plants. Houses and apartments could hardly be seen as they were surrounded and dwarfed by mostly camellias and some magnolias, all were prolific flowerers. I felt like Indiana Jones as I walked through tunnels and groves, up slopes and down pathways looking at the blooms.

Lunch was at the Tamar Valley Resort and then on to ‘Montrose’ at Lanena. This was a superbly appointed garden with magnificent views and ambling walks through out the property. There was an eclectic collection of plants and trees all set out on the slopes. We were extremely lucky with the weather with most of the delegates taking an opportunity to soak up a bit of the sun's warmth during the time we were there.

Behind each of these, there were more pathways and tunnels and yes, more plants and flowers. This garden is the epitome of passion and I loved the commitment shown in every nook and cranny of this huge inner city space.

Following these great outings, we returned to the Country Club in time for a cup of tea and feet up before the Council meeting. During the meeting there were several points which we had not been made aware of, which highlights the importance of responsible feedback when attending these meetings and the importance of all discussions being recorded in the minutes.

Sunday was a little overcast with the showers arriving the same time as us to the Villarett Gardens. What a pity as the plantings were simply and beautifully laid out, with the lines highlighting the plants utilised in each area. This property had recently been exposed to the storms in the area with the creek rising metres up the banks and slopes into the garden. A picture is worth a thousand words so check these out!

The weather was very kind to us and the visit to Emu Valley Rhododendron was in sunshine most of the time. We had about an hour before lunch and there were several walks which could be taken. It was sort of follow the leader along the paths with many stops to ooh and aah when a bloom called out or a view insisted on being admired.

Oh to be able to grow these as well as shown in the photo. Hellebores in all different shades and sizes!

Fabulous shapes makes for very interesting outlooks. This photo could be the catalyst for a few eerie stories!

There were plants for sale and we were quite envious of other delegates being able to add to their gardens. At times the rules do seem unfair. The park was an absolute pleasure to see especially as it is run by volunteers with over 600 friends.

The last garden to visit was ‘Culzean” in Westbury, rich with history and acres of garden and meadows. There were areas which were a bit wet underfoot but it was certainly worth the wander, to see the myriad of flowers out in bloom.

That night was the Gala dinner with the guest speaker Hillary Burden. An inspiring young lady who has lived overseas working in journalism, then returning to Tasmania to continue her writing using her garden as inspiration. Presentations were made and the raffle drawn with Charles Lee winning the pencil drawing of camellias.

The last morning was the seminar. There were 4 speakers, each providing an interesting aspect on plants. A great morning and way to finish the successful 2016 Congress.

Heads up for next year, 2017 Congress is going to be held on the Sunshine Coast on the 28 - 31 July. This is something to look forward to and include in our calendar for the forthcoming year.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting at Araluen on Sunday 2 October, either for a picnic lunch or at the boardroom at 2.30 pm.

Sponsors of the Camellia Society of Western Australia

Address: Nicholson Rd, Perth WA 6155 Phone: (08) 9455 1660

Hours: Open today · 9am–5pm

Romance Roses Plant Nursery

Address: 348 Forrest Rd, Haynes WA 6112 Phone: (08) 9497 9994