Groundswell - MIFGS 2022 Edition by ngivictoria

CONTENTS 6

NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NGIV PRECINCT: PROUDLY SPONSORED BY MIRVAC

GARDEN DESIGNS: THE EMERGENT GARDENS

ALL GREEN NURSERY & GARDEN: PROUD SPONSOR OF THE EMERGENT GARDENS

VICTORIAN SCHOOLS GARDEN PROGRAM: THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL GARDENS

BALCONY GARDENS BY DEEPDALE: BESPOKE DESIGNS FOR OUTDOOR SPACES

REVEALED THE LATEST PLANT INNOVATIONS

BOMBORA POTS: CREATE THE PERFECT POTTED GARDEN

TREE AND SHRUB GROWERS OF VICTORIA: RESILIENCE SHOW GARDEN

SUSTAINABILITY: PP5 GARDEN WASTE RECYCLING PROGRAM

BALL AUSTRALIA: COLOUR YOUR WORLD

GREENING OUR CITIES: ROOFTOP REVOLUTION WITH AGS

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS: STUDENT GARDEN DESIGN COMPETITION

AUSFLORA PACIFIC: ARE PROTEA NATIVE TO AUSTRALIA?

MT EVELYN GARDEN CENTRE: THE HEALTHY HOME OFFICE

HUMPHRIS NURSERY: GRAFTED TREASURES

VISIT YOUR LOCAL NURSERY $10 VOUCHER Our front cover: The Mirvac difference – reimagining urban life since 1972 www.mirvac.com

Volume 33 Number 2 MIFGS 2022 EDITION PUBLISHER NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA PRESIDENT Simon Gomme CEO Craig Taberner CONTRIBUTORS Simon Gomme, Leigh Siebler, Mike Donson, Matt Ross, Steve Day, Linda Sijpkes, Steven Touzel, Bonnie Wilson ADVERTISING NGIV T: (03) 9576 0599 ADDRESS Unit 3, 307 Wattletree Road, Malvern East VIC 3145. MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 2280, Wattletree Road LPO, Malvern East VIC 3145. TELEPHONE (03) 9576 0599 | FAX (03) 9576 0431 EMAIL ngiv@ngiv.com.au | www.ngiv.com.au FINISHED ART Vale Graphics M: 0409 88 77 06 E: angie@valegraphics.com.au PRINTING Norwood Industries 6 Wedgewood Road, Hallam VIC 3803.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Simon Gomme President, NGIV

As joint owners of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS), the Southern Hemisphere’s largest horticultural event, we’re delighted to see its return in 2022!

Founded in 1903, Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV), is the peak industry body for the state’s horticultural sector. Victoria’s horticulture industry, made up of growers, allied businesses and retailers, utilise their expertise, experience and hard work, to ensure Victorians have access to the finest plantlife, something that has experienced unprecedented demand throughout the pandemic. They also play a key role, each year, in delivering an outstanding MIFGS and this year’s no different; our grower and allied businesses generous donation of plants and gardening materials to help young designers visions come to reality or bring show gardens to life, whilst our retailers delight attendees with the latest offerings of plants and products for their gardens. And so, from Wednesday 30th March through to Sunday 3rd April 2022, we invite you to enjoy this wonderful horticultural event, at Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building, celebrating the beauty of greenlife and the many benefits of gardening. Each year, NGIV deliver our own Precinct at MIFGS with the help of our industry partners, sponsors and members. This year we’re delighted that property developer Mirvac is our Precinct major sponsor. I want to take the opportunity to share some of the highlights of our Precinct this year, and with a range of activities,

exhibits and displays, I’m confident there’s something for every garden enthusiast.

NGIV PRECINCT Proudly sponsored by Mirvac

Key Activations Bee Inspired This area provides a fun and engaging learning space for all ages. Populated with interactive activities and displays celebrating the wonderful world of pollinating and pollinators. The Bee Inspired space will host:

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

The Emergent Gardens sponsored by All Green Nursery and Garden Supporting the growth of young designers, who have graduated from the Achievable Gardens. In 2022 the Emergent Gardens is partnering with the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM) who will help mentor the designers throughout the design phase and during the construction of the gardens.

Victorian Schools Garden Program (VSGP) which aims to inspire school communities to make the most of their outdoor spaces and promote a lifelong connection with the natural environment. Along with the Urban Plant Health Network and the Emergent Gardens.

The young designers will create gardens showcasing plants from Tree & Shrub Growers of Victoria members and will have the theme Pollinating and Pollinators to inspire them.

The Kids Discovery Patch brought to you by VSGP offers hands on activities to inspire children to explore the world of pollinators and their role in the garden and the health of our planet.

An exhibition designed to showcase plants and plant products soon to be released or just new to the market. This year’s REVEALED exhibitors are:

Children will get to:

» Touch of Class Plants

» Take a close-up look at an observation beehive

» Discover the plants that pollinators can’t resist

» Get their hands dirty potting a plant

REVEALED

» Ball Australia » Haars Nursery » Hoe, Hoe, Hoe Turn to page 18 to discover this year’s latest plants and plant products.

» Take part in a pollinator scavenger.

MAJOR CORPORATE

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

As well as learning about pollinators, Urban Plant Health Network will be on hand to teach little ones all about the good, the bad, and the bug-ly when it comes to other garden insects.

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

Be Plastic Smart Garden City Plastics and Norwood will be on hand to inspire and educate consumers about closed loop packaging and plastics recycling of horticultural waste. They are part of a group of businesses who are striving to encourage horticulture businesses and consumers to ‘Be Plastic Smart’. Their exciting new program provides you with a recycling solution for your used plant pots, stakes and tags.

The Resilience Show Garden The Resilience Show Garden delivered by Steve Day will focus on the health and wellbeing benefits of plants in the urban landscape, and how every garden has a part to play for the whole community. It will be a physical demonstration of how an urban garden can essentially

be good for our wellbeing which in turn improves our resilience. The garden will be situated on the edge of the lake to provide a stunning backdrop and present a relaxing and harmonious garden within an urban context. Stepping out of the Precinct you’ll find the Achievable Gardens.

Achievable Gardens Now in its 15th year, the Achievable Gardens Design Competition offers students and educational institutions the opportunity to showcase their design skills and horticultural knowledge, promote achievable gardening and encourage the use of diverse, high-quality plants in the landscape. The nine students compete for the honour of winning the prestigious

‘Excellence Award’. It’s a great learning experience for students, allowing them to go through the process from concept design and project coordination to construction of a show garden. The Precinct and the Achievable Gardens will provide a wonderful focal point to celebrate our great industry and connect with one another and the public. On behalf of NGIV, I hope to see you there. It promises to be a wonderful event and no doubt you will come away feeling inspired by the incredible designs, the knowledgeable experts, and the innovative products on offer.

Simon Gomme President, NGIV

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

NGIV: PRECINCT

This area is populated with interactive activities and displays celebrating the wonderful world of pollinating and pollinators. The Bee Inspired space will host: Victorian Schools Garden Program (VSGP) which aims to inspire school communities to make the most of their outdoor spaces and promote a lifelong connection with the natural environment. Along with the Urban Plant Health Network and the Tree & Shrub Growers of Victoria’s Emergent Gardens. The Kids Discovery Patch brought to you by VSGP offers hands on activities to inspire children to explore the world of pollinators and their role in the garden and the health of our planet. Children will get to: » Take a close-up look at an observation beehive and learn how bees make honey and pollinate our food crops. There’s sure to be a hive of activity and the experts from the Wheen Bee Foundation will be on hand to explain what the bees are getting up to. » Discover the plants that pollinators can’t resist and pick up a planting guide to create a pollinator-friendly garden. Rotarians for Bees will be buzzing around answering any plants

» Get their hands dirty potting an edible plant to take home with the help of volunteers from the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Quick-Pick Seedlings, Garden City Plastics, Grow Better and Takasho are supplying all the goodies to make sure everyone gets to pot a plant. » Learn about the good, the bad, and the bug-ly, when it comes to other garden insects with the help of Urban Plant Health Network. » Search high and low as they turn detective and take part in a fun pollinator and pest scavenger hunt around the Show.

The Emergent Gardens proudly sponsored by All Green Nursery and Garden The Emergent Gardens was introduced to MIFGS in 2019 and sets out to support the growth of our younger designers, who have graduated from the Achievable Gardens. Celebrating the passion and growth of these designers, as they carve out a name for themselves and evolve their own unique garden design styles. In 2022 the Emergent Gardens will have the theme Pollinating and Pollinators to inspire our young designers.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

GARDEN DESIGNS: THE EMERGENT GARDENS

In 2022 the Emergent Gardens is partnering with the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM) who will help mentor the designers throughout the design phase and during the construction of the gardens. The young designers are all excited to be a part of this initiative and, with support from AILDM, will create gardens showcasing plants from Tree & Shrub Growers of Victoria members. While the Achievable Gardens is a first foray into the world of landscape design for many horticulture students, the Emergent Gardens was created to provide blossoming designers with a solid next step along their career path.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

The Emergent Gardens celebrates the passion and growth of these designers, armed with the skills and confidence gained from both the joys and challenges of competing in last year’s show, as they carve out a name for themselves and evolve their own unique brands and styles. In 2022 the Emergent Gardens will have the theme Pollinating and Pollinators to inspire our young designers. We invite you to explore, enquire and enjoy the progression of these young designers making their way in the landscape and garden design industry.

The Emergent Gardens is sponsored by All Green Nursery and Garden

GARDEN DESIGNS: THE EMERGENT GARDENS

THE THREE PILLARS By Riley Cooper and Angus Houghton-Norris

Our garden design centres around three main principles: sculpture, serenity and the seasons. The three pillars are eye-catching sculptures designed to contrast with the soft edges of perennial grasses and lush green shrubs. The balance between hard and soft draws the eye upwards to the full height of the pillars, which are complemented by a selection of ornamental trees. To enhance the serenity of the space, we have chosen to design the garden in a series of circles. The absence of linear lines evokes feelings of comfort, relaxation and purpose. The viewer should be able to walk around the entire circumference of the garden, noticing different details from different points around the circle.

SPONSORS

– Mother Teresa

Speciality Trees • Botanix Plant Supply • Faceys Nursery • Humphris Nursery • The Rangers Wholesale Nursery • All Green • Top Ten Trees • Lilydale Turf • Formboss • Water Features Direct • Malvern Irrigation 12

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

Brachychiton rupestris – Bottle Tree

SHRUBS Eremophila nivea ‘Blue Velvet’ – Emu Bush Eremophila murchison ‘Magic’ – Tar Bush Eremophila glabra – Tar Bush Eremophila rotundifolia Acacia binervia ‘Sterling Silver’ – Coast Myall Diplolaena grandiflora (grafted) – Wild Rose Grevillea excelsior ‘Bush Lemons’ – Grevillea Doryanthes excelsa – Gymea Lily PERENNIALS Chrysocephalum apiculatum – Everlasting Scaevola ‘Mauve Clusters’ – Fun Flowers Salvia hybrid ‘Amistad’ – Salvia Amistad Xerochrysum x hybrida ‘Pilbara Pink Pearl’ – Golden Everlasting

STRAP LEAF/GRASSES Anigozanthos ‘Bush Fury’ (Red) – Kangaroo Paw Anigozanthos ‘Bush Matilda’ (yellow) – Kangaroo Paw

GROUNDCOVERS Casuarina glauca prostrate ‘It and a Bit’ – She-oak Banksia spinulosa ‘Birthday Candles’ TURF Sir Grange

GARDEN DESIGNS: THE EMERGENT GARDENS

WILD CHILD By Kate Johnstone PLANT LIST Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ – Forest pansy Acca sellowiana – Feijoa Olea europaea ‘Picholine’ – Olive Citrus x sinensis – Blood orange Citrofortunella microcarpa – Calamondin cumquat Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’ – Smoke bush Loropetalum chinensis ‘Plum Gorgeous’ – Chinese fringe flower Adenanthos sericeus ‘Platinum’ – Woolly bush Agastache aurantiaca ‘Sweet Lili’ – Humming bird mint Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’ – Yarrow Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’ – Sedum Limonium perezii – Sea lavender Euphorbia characias ‘Silver Swan’ – Spurge

‘Wild Child’ is a garden which provides children with a sense of adventure and a sensory experience in which they can let their imagination run wild and spend hours learning, discovering and exploring in a natural environment.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Ostfriesland’ – Woodland sage Punica granatum ‘Mini Magic’ – Dwarf pomegranate Lavandula stoechas ‘Avonview’ – Italian lavender

I wanted to create a garden in which children are totally activated in the space; for them to navigate their surroundings by pushing through taller plants, stepping over smaller ones and crawling through the tunnel, rather than blindly walking down an even path. Another aim of my design is to create a flowing and enticing landscape which incorporates a level of risky play. This helps to develop important life skills in young children which will be useful to them throughout their lives. This is achieved by using uneven surfaces and the creek. I want both children and adults to be excited by this garden, to discover the textures of the foliage, to smell the fragrant leaves and flowers, and to be immersed in the natural ecosystem. I want children to find the hidden secrets in a garden, to discover the natural world and develop a passion for nature.

Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ – Prostrate rosemary Stachys byzantina – Lamb’s ears Miscanthus sinensis – Chinese silvergrass Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’ – Carpet bugleweed Dichondra argenta ‘Silver Falls’ – Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ Zeon Zoysia – Sir Grange

SPONSORS Tuscan Path • Speciality Trees • Warners Nurseries • Lilydale Instant Turf

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

GARDEN DESIGNS: THE EMERGENT GARDENS

MOVING FORCES

The Great Pollinators

By Chin Liew PLANT LIST TREES Brachychiton ‘Griffith Pink’ Brachychiton discolor Eucalyptus polyanthemos Punica granatum ‘Mollar de Elche’ Radermachera sinica Schinus molle Tristaniopsis laurinal

Certain relationships in nature consist of both stationary and moving forces. This concept can be used to consider pollination.

Bees, butterflies, moths, insects, birds, bats, flying foxes, reptiles; to name just a few. Can you see your favourite pollinator in the garden?

Plants, while being a stationary force with their roots firmly in the ground, can sometimes also serve as a moving force as their stems, stalks or leaves move towards each other with the wind.

As you move around the garden, how do the poles frame your view or impact your observation or perception? Light and shadows are moving and changing through the day and through the seasons. Which elements are moving, and which are stationary? Is it the same experience if you are stationary within the garden, moving only your gaze around?

Without this relationship, the combination of moving and stationary forces, pollination would not occur.

How is the garden experienced by the moving forces, the great pollinators, passing through still and moving spaces?

Pollinators such as wind, water, insects, birds, and animals are moving forces which transport pollen to plants.

This garden examines the concept of movement and stillness, and the importance of how plants can attract moving forces (pollinators).

SPONSORS All Green Nursery & Garden • Faceys Nursery • True Blue Nursery • Speciality Trees • Stone & Slate Discounts • OUTDECO Garden Screens • Water Features Direct • Quantum Timber Finishes • FormBoss • Malvern Irrigation • Dwell

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

SHRUBS Derwentia perfoliata Hebe buxifolia Hydrangea macrophylla Lavendula ‘Pink Queen’ Plectranthus saccatus ‘Velvet Lady’ Syzygium paniculatum ‘Backyard Bliss’ Viburnum Odoratissimum PERENNIALS Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ Agastache ‘Sweet Lilli’ Ajuga ‘Catlins Giant’ Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ Ajuga ‘Mahogany Mini’ Armeria maritima Bergenia cordifolia ‘Rubra’ Ligularia reniformis Limonium perezii ‘Blue’ Spathiphyllum ‘Sweet Romano’ Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Pink’ STRAP LEAF/GRASSES Anigozanthos ‘Bush Diamond’ Anigozanthos ‘Bush Joker’ Dianella caerulea Ficinia nodosa Lomandra ‘Fine and Dandy’ Pennisetum advena ‘Rubrum’ Thysanolaena maxima GROUNDCOVERS Alternanthera dentata ‘Little Ruby’ Dichondra repens Viola hederacea

PROFILE: ALL GREEN NURSERY & GARDEN

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

VSGP: PROMOTING SCHOOL GARDENS

The importance of school gardens NGIV’s Victorian Schools Garden Program (VSGP) aims to inspire school communities to make the most of their outdoor spaces and promote a lifelong connection with the natural environment and of course, gardening. VSGP, now in its 44th year, has never had more engagement, and is consistently receiving record entries from schools for its Grants and Awards Programs, year after year. And after what has been a challenging time for all of us, there’s never been a more important moment to encourage children to connect with nature, discover the many benefits of gardening, and take their learning outside. Thanks to our sponsors we will distribute a combined $80,000 worth of vouchers and products to Victorian schools in 2022! Find out if your local primary school or kinder is already growing with VSGP. If they aren’t, direct them to vsgp.org.au for information on how they can enter our Awards or Grants Program, access the latest resources to embed outdoor learning and school gardens in their curriculum, and attend professional development workshops and events.

The Victorian Schools Garden Program is proudly supported by

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PROFILE: BALCONY GARDENS

Balcony Gardens, Patio Gardens, Sensory Gardens, Courtyards & Small Gardens. By Kirsty Sinclair, Designer, Balcony Gardens by DEEPDALE Balcony Gardens by DEEPDALE create bespoke balcony designs to add warmth, depth and appeal to your home. We specialise in creating a unique tailored space to suit your needs and desires, so you can enjoy your outdoor space in any season. Small space gardens are our specialty and focus.

When designed well, garden and balcony spaces expand your living and relaxing areas within your home or apartment. They also provide somewhere peaceful to read a book or enjoy time with friends and family. Our design team work closely with you to understand what your style and preferred look is. We will also determine the weather conditions your balcony is exposed to, so we can ensure we select suitable items for your design. We like working with new and old material, which also makes our creations truly unique. We encourage our clients to also provide pieces from their own collection.

For clients with budget constraints, we create designs that evolve over time rather than a complete installation in one go. We also recognise that as the seasons change, so do your plants, so we offer suitable solutions to keep your special space continuously inviting for you to enjoy. We also have a maintenance division should you require help with your special space. Balcony Gardens by DEEPDALE M: 0414 687 907 E: enquiries@ bgbdeepdale.com bgbdeepdale.com.au

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

REVEALED @ MIFGS 2022

R E V E A L E D

The REVEALED exhibition, located in the NGIV Precinct, showcases the latest innovations in plant and plantrelated products. This year’s exhibitors are: Touch of Class Plants, Ball Australia, Haars Nursery and Hoe, Hoe, Hoe.

New Release plants from Touch of Class Plants Plectranthus ‘Velvet Idol’ Plectranthus ‘Velvet Idol’ is very showy with large plumes of baby blue flowers that appear from late summer through autumn. Fresh green cut foliage provide year round interest and a spectacular backdrop for masses of blooms. Velvet Idol is a compact, shrubby perennial and is excellent for pots, in mass or mixed plantings. • Height: 35cm x Width: 40cm

Plectranthus ‘Velvet Diva’ Plectranthus ‘Velvet Diva’ is bold and showy with large plumes of bright purple flowers that appear from late summer through autumn. Stunning deep green leaves, with purple undersides provide year round interest and a spectacular backdrop for vibrant blooms. • Height: 45cm x Width: 50cm

Plectranthus ‘Velvet Lady’ Plectranthus ‘Velvet Lady’ is bold and showy with large plumes of bright and cheery pink flowers that appear from late summer through autumn. Stunning deep green leaves, with purple undersides provide year round interest and a spectacular backdrop for vibrant blooms. • Height: 40cm x Width: 50cm

Plectranthus ‘Velvet Elvis’ Plectranthus ‘Velvet Elvis’ is bold and showy with large plumes of lavender flowers that appear from late summer through autumn. Stunning deep green textured leaves, with almost black undersides provide year round interest and a spectacular backdrop for vibrant blooms. • Height: 70cm x Width: 80cm

Look out for these new release plants at a garden centre near you touchofclassplants.com.au 18

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

REVEALED @ MIFGS 2022

Petunia ‘Pink Diamond’ New for spring 2022 is Petunia ‘Pink Diamond’. A prolific flowering perennial, it sparkles with masses of blooms and huge romantic double pink flowers with white edging. The flowers bloom from early Spring through to late Autumn. The compact and neat habit of Petunia ‘Pink Diamond’ makes it suitable for hanging baskets, garden beds and containers. • Height: 25-30cm • Width: 35-40cm • Full Sun

Osteospermum ‘Sunshine Beauty’ Osteospermum ‘Sunshine Beauty’ has vibrant orange edges that fade into a yellow centre. It is an easy to grow and care for plant and new blooms emerge in brighter, more vibrant hues that lead to three shades of blooms at one time. Preferring full sun, ‘Sunshine Beauty’ is ideal for sunny borders, mass plantings and great for containers. • Height: 25-35cm • Width: 35-50cm • Full Sun

ballaustralia.com

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

REVEALED @ MIFGS 2022

Hoe, Hoe, Hoe Nielsen’s Garden Development Pty Ltd have developed a truly unique mature tree nursery on Victoria’s picturesque Mornington Peninsula. With a wealth of experience developing horticultural business models over the last 20 years, Nielsen’s were commissioned by Somers Enterprises Pty Ltd to develop an environmentally sustainable, bespoke horticultural business model to operate from Flinders. Drawing upon Nielsen’s vast experience in landscape design and installation, along with their technical expertise in production horticulture, the result was the mature tree nursery Hoe, Hoe, Hoe Pty Ltd.

to build dramatic landscape scenes. None are more magnificent than Hoe, Hoe, Hoe’s signature trees, the Cloud pruned olives. These topline specimens have been created through exacting sculpturing using the Japanese art of Niwaki. Each tree is a unique work of art ready to inspire, excite and provoke. The mature trees displayed as part of the NGIV’s REVEALED exhibition have undergone several years of re-establishment and re-creation since being harvested as mature trees to transform them into the spectacular garden ready specimens on show. Hoe, Hoe, Hoe produce:

Hoe, Hoe, Hoe, which is focused on creating mature landscape feature pieces, produces sculptural, classical, and uniquely shaped super-mature trees for the landscape and garden design industry. Many of the trees are produced in ground using geotech root control bags to develop high stem calliper to root ball ratios.

• Super mature “roof trees” (Mulberry, Fig and Platanus species)

Hoe, Hoe, Hoe’s dazzling feature trees have the boldness to stand alone as captivating landscape headlines, or they can be grouped

• Mature olive trees are also available in natural branch formation for less formal landscapes.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

• “Arch way” trees ready for instant arbours (Laburnum, Cherry and Garrya species) • Classical cordon espalier specimens (Malus, Quince and Cercis species) • Contemporary geometric Cercis tree specimens

Hoe Hoe Hoe

nielsensgardendevelopment.com

PROFILE: BOMBORA POTS

Five tips to create the perfect potted garden By Mike Donsen, Bombora Pots and Grow Better Pots have grown in popularity with gardeners and designers taking advantage of unique designs, colours and modern trends to transform even the smallest of gardens. Potted plants and flowers can add appeal to any garden, but they can also serve a practical purpose too. Potted gardens are ideal for small spaces like patios and decks, or they can be used to add versatility and interest to larger gardens. And of course, you can move your pots to make the most of the seasonal weather. A picture-perfect potted garden can be yours when you follow these simple tips.

2. Choosing your pots Matching colours of pots when grouping creates consistency, alternatively create interest and contrast by using lighter pots against darker backgrounds and vice versa. Keep in mind that the larger the pot, the less you will need to water and always make sure it has holes in the bottom to allow extra water to drain out.

1. Choosing your plants The choice is yours; herbs, vegetables, perennials and annuals, will all thrive in pots. Check out how your plants look in the pot prior to purchase. Be careful not to overfill your pot with plants, if it’s overcrowded growth can be stunted above and below the soil. A variety of plants can add height, colour and textural interest. Choose plants that have the same climactic needs and be sure to choose plants that are suited to the location of the pot.

3. Use a top-quality potting mix Fill your plant pots with a quality commercial potting mix. Your plant may be in this pot for between 1–3 years so the quality of the mix will determine its success and vigour. Do not compress the potting mix, this will remove necessary air pockets. And don’t overpot your plant, this will mean it holds more water than the plant can take and will create problems with root rot.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

PROFILE: BOMBORA POTS

4.Potting your plants Gentle squeeze around the sides of the plant container to loosen the root ball enough to slide out – avoid tugging on the plant itself to pull it out. Set them on the potting mix so that the top of their root balls are still a couple of inches below the rim of your pot – this will make it easier for you to water. Fill in around them with more potting mix, but keep your plants’ stems no deeper in soil than when they were in their nursery containers. Water to help the soil settle in and add more soil if needed so that all roots are covered.

5. Caring for your plants Potted plants need to be watered regularly; making sure that the soil never completely dries out. They also benefit from fertilisation thought the year. Keep a close eye on them in summer, in extreme heat they often need daily watering. Consider spreading a layer of mulch to retain moisture. And prune back plants that get leggy or stop blooming. Bombora Pots offers a range of contemporary planters for your courtyard, balcony and garden setting. Grow Better Garden Products was started in 1991 and has been servicing the horticultural industry ever since.

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GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

T&SG: RESILIENCE

‘Resilience’. How appropriate! This garden was designed for the postponed show in 2020, where ‘resilience’ was becoming one of the buzz words of the day (long before ‘pivot’ and ‘agile’ were a thing!). We already knew resilience was important, but did we ever realise just how much! MIFGS 2022 RELOAD! If 2019, 2020, and 2021 have taught us anything, it’s that resilience is absolutely critical. Who could’ve predicted the tumultuous and world changing events we have all been through? In Australia, it started with massive bushfires that rolled into a global pandemic, cancelled events, world record lockdowns, school closures, curfews, remote learning, business closures, border closures, isolation, quarantine, working from home, vaccinations, riots, more lockdowns, and even a bloody earthquake! How could any of us survive this without a level of resilience that we probably didn’t even realise we had? So just what does resilience actually mean? And why is it so important for us?

Firstly, let’s look at what it isn’t. Resilience isn’t never getting sick, or tired, or down, or sad, or overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted. Everyone experiences all these things, and even more so over the last two years. It’s a part of being human. We aren’t bulletproof. Resilient people experience and feel all these things too, BUT they have the ability to bounce back quicker. To refocus easier. To get over setbacks quickly, keep moving forward and striving for their best. And as a result, are happier and healthier more often. That sounds great. If resilience was sold in a store we would all be buying it! Of course, it isn’t, and it’s something we need to work on. There are many ways to improve resilience, and the good news is that plants and gardens can play a vital role. Humans have an intrinsic link to the natural world. Studies have shown that people who are exposed to plants and greenlife on a daily basis have much lower levels of stress, and higher levels of general health and wellbeing. People feel more relaxed, have improved mindfulness and typically better physical fitness. The combination of all this helps people to be more resilient. In an urban environment, sometimes having exposure to enough nature can be a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be. Residential gardens and trees, parks, streetscapes, street trees, shopping centres all have a part to play. The more green the better for individuals and the whole community. The recent lockdowns showed again just how important green spaces are, with people flocking to their local parks for some enjoyment,

SPONSORS DESIGNED & CONSTRUCTED BY

WATER FEATURE, POTS AND FURNITURE SUPPLIED BY

PRODUCT SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

GARDEN LIGHTING SUPPLIED BY

INSTANT TURF SUPPLIED BY

STEEL EDGING SUPPLIED BY

ST EEL G GA A R DE DEN N EDGI NG

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

T&SG: RESILIENCE

exercise and recreation. Residential gardens became one of the most critical parts of the home, and gave people the much needed respite from the world and the reconnection to nature that helped lower stress in a very stressful time. The green helped people be more resilient during all the uncertainty. Let’s never forget how important our local parks and home gardens were during this time. The ‘Resilience’ Show Garden at MIFGS 2022, is a physical demonstration of how an urban garden can be attractive, inviting, easy to maintain, and good for our resilience, which in turn improves our health and wellbeing. We hope it inspires everyone to surround themselves with nature, and recognise how every garden has a part to play for the improved resilience of our families and the whole community. In a holistic approach, it also shows how we can improve the resilience of our actual gardens. When multiple plant

species are used that complement each other and are suitable to the conditions, gardens become more resilient to pest and disease attack, and can even become more drought tolerant and resilient to climate change. The ‘Resilience’ garden demonstrates a diverse range of plant species that are located in appropriate cultural conditions to maximise their own resilience and benefits. Finally, the ‘Resilience’ garden also pays tribute to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show on its 25th Anniversary. To survive, thrive and inspire for 25 years (not to mention survive a global pandemic!) is amazing resilience! The Tree & Shrub Gowers Vic have been proud to be involved in every single one of the shows by constructing show gardens ourselves each year, and also in the provision of hundreds of thousands of plants from our members for numerous show gardens, boutique, emergent and achievable gardens over the years. Now that’s Resilience!

ALL PLANTS IN THIS EXHIBIT PROUDLY GROWN AND SUPPLIED BY THE FOLLOWING TREE & SHRUB GROWERS MEMBERS

Resilience is proudly brought to you by Mirvac

PLANT LIST TROPICALS AND PALMS

SHRUBS

o Buxus sempervirens

‘Topiary’ o Buxus sempervirens ‘Topiary Ball’ o Citrus ‘Lemonicious’ o Escallonia ‘Pink Elle’ o Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ o Euphorbia ‘Silver Swan‘ o Helleborus ‘Shooting Star’ o Hydrangea ‘Magical Revolution’ o Leucadendron ‘Deacon Red’ o Leucadendron ‘Ebony’ o Leucadendron ‘Jack Harre’ o Leucadendron ‘Purple Haze’ o Leucadendron ‘Red Gem’

TREES

o Magnolia ‘Sweet N Neat’ o Prumnopitys ladei o Waterhousia ﬂoribunda

o Leucadendron

‘Strawberries and Cream’ o Leucodendron ‘Misty Sunrise’ o Loropetalum ‘Bobz White’ o Loropetalum ‘Purple Prince’ o Nandina ‘Lemon Lime’ o Nandina ‘Obsession’ o Nerium grandiﬂoum o Prunus lusitanica o Raphiolepsis fergusonii ‘Little Bliss’ o Syzygium ‘Forest Flame’ o Syzygium ‘Green Machine’ o Syzygium ‘Plum Magic’ o Teucrium ‘Silver Box’ o Viburnum tinus

PINES

o Pinus ‘Kyoto Nishiki’ o Pinus wallichiana

o Alocasia ‘Bambino’ o Alocasia macrorrhiza o Alocasia ‘Stingray’ o Alocasia wentii o Alocasia ‘Zebrina’ o Cycas revoluta o Ficus elatica ‘Ruby’ o Ligularia reniformis o Monstera deliciosa o Sanseveria trifasciata GRASSES AND STRAPPY FOLIAGE

o Arthropodium cirrhatum o Carex ‘Feather Falls’ o Cordyline ‘Pocahontas’ o Dianella ‘Cherry Red’ o Dianella ‘Goddess’ o Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’ o Lomandra ‘Tanika’ o Phormium ‘Sweet Mist’

NATIVE SHRUBS

o Acacia ‘Limelight’ o Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ o Correa alba o Eremophila ‘Nivea’ o Grevillea rhyolitica o Rhagodia ‘Silver Border’ o Serruria ‘Lemon Honey’ o Westringia ‘Wynyabbi Gem’

FLOWERING PERENNIALS

o Anemone ‘Dainty Swan’ o Impatiens ‘Beacon’ o Limonium perezzi ‘Blue’ o Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ o Salvia ‘Mirage Soft Pink’ o Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’ o Salvia ‘So Cool Violet’

‘Moidart’

‘Whisper’

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

SUSTAINABILITY: RECYCLING

Recycle your PP5 plastic plant pot and label waste Largely, in Australia, plant pots and labels are made from PP5 plastic – a plastic that can be recycled over and over again. However, currently only 8 per cent of this plastic found in plant pots gets recycled. This is where we come in. We want to collect and recycle your PP5 plastic plant pots and labels and give them another plant pot life. All we need from you, is to find your nearest PP5 collection point and bring us your plant pots and labels. PP5 collection points can be found at around 30 locations Australia wide at participating suppliers and retailers. Once your PP5 plastic waste is collected and recycled, industry leaders Norwood printers and Garden City Plastics (GCP) create new products out of the recycled materials. And just like that, your old plant pot is a new plant pot. Find out more at pp5.com.au.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

GREENER CITIES: ROOFTOP GARDENS

The Rooftop Revolution Once wasted space, rooftops are now seen as the key to greening our cities By Heath McKenzie, Australian Growing Solutions We know that a fresh approach is needed for our cities to remain habitable in the face of a changing climate and increased temperatures due to the urban heat island effect. We also know that people are happier and more productive in the presence of greenlife. The population of our cities is expected to increase dramatically over the coming decades, with many people choosing to live close to where they work, shop and socialise. Housing affordability is also pushing people into smaller and denser residential spaces.

increase in the demand over the last few years. The nature of these mixes can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the type of garden, engineering speciÿcations and the species of plants being grown.

So how do we incorporate green spaces into our cities while still allowing for increased residential and commercial space? We can start by covering the hard surfaces of our buidings in plants.

Modern rooftop potting mix substrates contain a large amount of mineral ingredients such as scoria, zeolite or sand. These minerals don’t break down as quickly as organic materials like pine bark compost or coir fibre therefore reducing the need for topping up garden beds. However, using mineral ingredients drastically increases the weight of the substrate which can be an issue if not addressed at the planning stage.

Increasingly, areas once thought of as utility spaces are instead being used for green space. Rather than having concrete wastelands collecting heat from the sun, rooftops can become productive and attractive gardens and act as retreats for occupants of the building. Converting these areas into gardens can also assist in capturing rainwater before it enters our stormwater system, using that water to irrigate plants instead. Architects and developers have adopted this mentality and are designing buildings with plants as a major design element.

By combining mineral and organic ingredients, a rooftop substrate can be a long lasting product and still contain the beneficial bacteria and funghi that exist in composted pine bark. This provides an excellent environment for growth and general plant health. These rooftop spaces, along with greenwalls, will enable us to transform our bustling metropolises into pleasant and healthy environments for living and working.

At AGS, we have been making potting mix blends for rooftop gardens for over ten years, but there has been a noticeable

Rooftop substrates Greenwall substrates Fertiliser and wetting agent

AGS have a range of growing substrates for rooftop gardens and green walls. For more information, contact us on 1800 709 588 or head to our website.

www.agsolutions.net.au We create the environment for growth. 30

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS 2022

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS:

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

DESIGNING FOR A GREENER FUTURE

Now in its 15th year, the Achievable Gardens sponsored by Australian Growing Solutions, offers students and educational institutions the opportunity to showcase their design skills and horticultural knowledge, promote achievable gardening and encourage the use of diverse, high-quality plants in the landscape. The nine students compete for the honour of winning the prestigious ‘Excellence Award’. It’s a great learning experience for students, allowing them to go through the process from concept design and project coordination to construction of a show garden. Each small garden represents the average balcony garden or small courtyard garden of five metres in width by four metres depth. The brief is to design a garden that is ‘achievable’, meaning that an average home gardener would be capable of replicating the design, materials and planting within a virtual budget of $8,000. At least 50 per cent of the garden must be soft landscaping (plants).

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

Every student comes away with invaluable practical experience for their future careers. Previous submissions have consistently wowed visitors with their fresh design concepts and this year promises to do the same. The Achievable Gardens is always a drawcard with attendees, and we are very excited to share with you the following student designs for this year. ABOVE: Winner of the 2019 ‘Award of Excellence’, ‘Redivivus Materia’ created by Jason Donnelly.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS

BALANCE BY NATURE GINA ROBERTSON MELBOURNE POLYTECHNIC

THIS MODERN AUSTRALIAN OUTDOOR SPACE RESTORES THE BALANCE TO OUR LIVES BY ENTICING US INTO A RELAXED GARDEN TO RECONNECT TO NATURE.

The garden path guides our imagination to remote places beyond its swirling. Balance by Nature introduces a selection of native Australian plants suitable for small, sunny, moderately-dry gardens in Melbourne. It uses shades of green, blue, and grey foliage, to calm the senses, while complimentary earthy tones of red ochre, orange and yellow radiate warmth. Long-lived and blossoms are a highlight throughout the year. The sculptural walls redefine the shape of the garden and conceal elevated planter boxes.

The curved path slows our feet and minds. It guides us past bird, butterfly, and insect-attracting plants.

KEY BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Anigozanthos ‘Bush Blitz’

Kangaroo Paw

Banksia spinulosa

Hairpin Banksia

Chrysocephalum apiculatum

Yellow Buttons

Groundcovers and climbers spill over the edges. Sunlight quietly reflects in-between aquatic plants floating and emerging from a shallow water pond. Climbing vines wind their way through a trio of trellis columns. We are invited to rest on a Sugar Gum bench in the dappled light surrounded by weeping silver Gungurru tree branches.

Casuarina glauca prostrate

Ground Sheoak

Clematis microphylla

Small-leaved Clematis

DBS

Dianella revoluta ‘Blue Stream’ Blueberry Flax-lily

Dichondra repens

Kidney Weed

Eucalyptus caesia

Gungurru

Ficinia nodosa

Knobby Club Rush

Lomandra longifolia ‘Tanika’

Mat Rush

Myoporum parvifolium

Creeping Boobialla

Nymphoides crenata

Wavy Marshwort

Pycnosorus globosus

Billy Buttons

Rhodanthe anthemoides

Chamomile Sunray

Themeda triandra

Kangaroo Grass

Violacea hederacea

Native Violet

SPONSORS Melbourne Polytechnic • Habitat Gardens in Hobsons Bay, Hobsons Bay City Council • All Green Nursery & Garden • Humphris Nursery • Oz Watergardens • Newport Lakes Native Nursery

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS 2022

RE-FRAME EMMA POWELL MELBOURNE POLYTECHNIC

CANOPY LOSS FROM RECENT STORMS INSPIRED THIS DESIGN USING QUICK-GROWING ‘RE-FRAMING’ PIONEER PLANTS AND PERENNIALS PLANTED ALONGSIDE SLOWER GROWING PLANTS THAT HOLD STRUCTURE.

Natives and exotics are represented in equal mix, with texture and tactility being a unifying thread, a sensory invitation to reconnect with place. Lawn is reinterpreted using a common Festuca left to grow long and cascade through the silver plants creating contrast and negative space. Silver foliage plants are key for providing year round highlights in the garden. The tiny hairs or ‘fur’ on the plants reduces moisture loss and heat stress while the pale foliage reflects the heat making them perfect for our changing climate.

The white trunk of the Lemon Scented gum is framed by charred Shou Sugi Ban timber providing contrast. The screen is visually permeable giving depth and layering to a small space. Mirror panels also add dimension reflecting and re-framing. Materials re-framed. An old copper becomes a bird bath. Weathered hardwood fence palings are given a fresh new start. Fallen tree logs become family totem sculptures and seats for relaxation.

KEY BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Spear’ Silver Spear

Acacia binervia ‘Sterling Silver’

Coast Myall Wattle

Adenanthos sericeus

Woolly Bush

Correa alba

White Correa

Corymbia citriodora ‘Scentuous’

Lemon Scented Gum

Centaurea gymnocarpa

Velvet Dusty Miller

Cotula hispida

Silver Cotula

Dianella revoluta

Black Anther Flax Lily

DSF

Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ Silver Kidney Weed

EGK

Eremophila glabra ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ Tar Bush

EPP

Eremophila hybrid ‘Pink Pantha’ Emu Bush Hybrid

Eremophila warnesii

Ken Warnes’ Emu Bush

Festuca rubra

Red Fescue

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis

Silvergrass

Oxalis palmifrons

Palm Leaf oxalis

PLB

Pachystegia insignis

Marlborough rock daisy

Salvia argentea

Silver sage

Tetrapanax papyrifer

Rice Paper Plant

SPONSORS Eco Timber Group • Allgreen Nursery • Transrock • Antique Perennials • Bulleen Art and Garden • Pumpworks

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS

ALPINE CALM: AT THE RETREAT OF SNOW SARAH TULLOCH MELBOURNE POLYTECHNIC

AT THE TURN OF SPRING IN THE ALPINE REGIONS OF VICTORIA, SNOW MELTS SLOWLY REVEALING THE LIFE BELOW ITS CLEAN WHITE COVER.

Grasses spring to life; small plants begin to sprout and the true shape of the formerly hidden landscape is revealed. Vast areas of rocks, low shrubs and windswept Snow Gums populate the horizon. Gullies teem with creeks and groundcovers begin to blossom. This design serves to complement that moment by transposing its forms and composition into an urban courtyard.

KEY BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Eucalyptus pauciflora

Snow Gum

Poa sieberiana

Grey Tussock Grass

Senecio cineraria

Dusty Miller

Pycnosorus globosus

Billy Buttons

Convolvulus cneorum

Silver Bush

Westringia fruticosa

Coastal Rosemary

Dichondra argentea

Silver Falls

Pratia angulata

White Star Creeper

Viola hederacea

Native Violet

For a client that enjoys the simplicity and calming nature of the high country. Mounded earth with sculptural Snow Gums form the structure of the space. Clipped Westringia serves as the mid-height formality, punctuating ribbons of white foliage shrubs. Underfoot, groundcovers live in the shade of a steel-grate walkway and two rocking chairs.

Sweeping lines of Poa sieberiana blur the connection between garden and sky. A nod to the ghostly texture of leafless Snow Gums after the harsh summer brushfires. Swathes of unmelted snow litter the corners of shady areas represented here with white quartz gravel. Long stems of grass and cheerful bursts of Billy Buttons interrupt the silver foliage and soften the edges of the stern metal walkway.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

BEST PLANTS Quick Selection Guide bestplants.com.au

Still need help selecting the right plant? Visit bestplants.com.au This website from Ozbreed helps you find the best plants for you in any situation, whether it’s for a rooftop, rain garden, modern garden or something else. Simply choose the options that suit you to show a selection of plants that will work.

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS

WHAT JUST HAPPENED? WILLIAM O’NEIL MELBOURNE POLYTECHNIC

A GARDEN THAT REFLECTS ON HOW OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

KEY BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Acorus gramineus ‘Variegatus’ Variegated Japanese Sweet Flag

Alcantarea imperialis

Giant Bromeliad

Aloe plicatilis

Fan Aloe

Warped lines draw down from a Cypress timber bench seat to the reflective pool.

Aloe striata

Coral Aloe

Aeonium ‘Voodoo’

Giant Red Aeonium

Steel balls represent community and lock downs. The gold line represents evolving circumstances. A granite gravel path represents the present and leads on to the future.

Cordyline australis

Cabbage Tree

CAL Carex albula ‘Frosted Curls’

Frosted Curls Sedge

Calibanus hookeri

Mexican Boulder

The plants represent emotions and immerse the setting with vibrancy. Optimistic and sombre tones are interwoven. The hard landscape colour palette is influenced by the coloration of the Eastern Spinebill honeyeater.

Crassula ovata ‘Red Coral’

Money Tree

Cussonia paniculata

Mountain Cabbage Tree

Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’

Silverberry

The garden design is influenced by lived experience, modernist art and design, and Aboriginal craft.

Fatsia japonica

Aralia

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tulip Tree

Ophiopogon japonicus

Mondo Grass

Phormium tenax

New Zealand Flax

Psuedopanax lessonii

Houpara

Quercus acutissima

Sawtooth Oak

Sparmannia africana

African Linden

Stenocarpus sinuatus

Firewheel Tree

Tradescantia purpurea

Purple Heart

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS 2022

ANDRUM (SWEDISH TRANSLATION, “BREATHING SPACE”) PIERRE JACOBSSON BENDIGO TAFE/KANGAN INSITUTE

‘THE REAL VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY CONSISTS, NOT IN SEEKING NEW LANDSCAPES, BUT IN HAVING NEW EYES.’ – Marcel Proust

This design has been heavily influenced by the experience of living through COVID-19. The toll on individuals and society as a whole have been immense. Through lockdowns some of us have lost; contact with friends and loved ones, but also our connection with nature. This garden shares a story about the transition from a hard and sometimes hostile place to a place of healing and nurturing.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

KEY BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Ophiopogon planiscapus Black Mondo Grass ‘Nigrescens’

Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’

Coral Bells

Heuchera hybrida ‘Fire Alarm’

Corel Bells

Cotyledon orbiculata

Pig’s Ear

Macropidia fuliginosa

Black Kangaroo Paw

Carex flagellifera

Weeping Brown Sedge

Thymus serpyllum ‘Creeping Pink’

Creeping Thyme

Poa labillardieri

Common Tussock Grass

Themeda triandra

Kangaroo Grass

Echinacea purpurea

Coneflower

Agastache hybrid ‘Royal Scepter’

Hyssop

Acacia cognata ‘Limelight’

River Wattle

Anigozanthos hybrida

Kangaroo Paw

Dianthus caryophyllus

Carnation

Agastache hybrid ‘Blue Boa’

Giant Hyssop

The plants will be one of the ‘voices’ to tell this story, but other ‘voices’ can also be heard in the art installations. This story of transformation highlights that we are part of nature, and that nature is part of us. The word human derives from the Latin word humus, we are indeed nature!

human heart/soul in isolation. From this place of darkness, shoots of recovery emerge. A lone figure embraces “Mother Earth” and feels heard and met on their healing journey.

A scorched tree commences the healing journey – a place of darkness. A single Dianthus caryophyllus represents the SPONSOR Aaron Jones – Wood Sculptor

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS

BY FIRE JOSHUA GREENWOOD-MALIN HOLMESGLEN

BY FIRE CHALLENGES THE CONCEPT OF THE AUSTRALIAN ‘BUSH-LOOK’ NATIVE GARDEN, THROUGH THE CONTEMPORARY LENS OF THE JAPANESE AESTHETIC Yakisugi or Shou Sugi Ban is the traditional Japanese technique of charring the surface of timber, for increased durability, carbonising and thus waterproofing the piece without damaging its integrity. For eons, Australian natives have evolved similar adaptations to the extreme conditions of bush-fire and drought, building not only resilience, but also dependence upon fire for essential processes such as germination. A mix of resprouters and reseeders are integrated into the garden design.

Plants known to not only survive but thrive in the wake of bush-fires. Be it their foliage, flower or form, these plants lend themselves to the application of Japanese design principals. This connection allows for the modernisation of the bush landscape incorporating current design trends. This also allows for a Japanese style garden using a wider range of plants, suitable for the Melbourne climate.

KEY

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

LSN

Leptospermum obovatum ‘Starry Night’

Tea Tree

Allocasuarina Littoralis

Black She-oak

Xanthorrhoea johnsonii

Grass Tree

ABG

Adenanthos sericeus ‘Bronze Glow’

Woolly Bush

DVP

Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’

Purple Hop Bush

BSBC Banksia spinulosa ‘Birthday Candles’

Hairpin Banksia

BSCC Banksia spinulosa ‘Coastal Cushion’

Hairpin Banksia

LSA

Leucadendron salignum x laureolum ‘Amy’

Leucadendron ‘Amy’

Leucadendron argenteum

Silver Tree

Banksia blechnifolia

Southern Blechnum Banksia

Casuarina glauca ‘Shagpile’

Swamp She-oak

DAS

Doodia aspera

Prickly Rasp Fern

DAU

Doodia australis

Common Rasp Fern

OPN

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’

Black Mondo Grass

SPONSORS Hillywood Tree Nursery Bundameer Nurseries • Proteaflora • Plantmark • Mulga Native Plants • Fern Gardens • Yarraview & Bushland Flora Nurseries • Flemings • Eastern Suburbs Garden Supply • Tait Flooring – Tait Mitre 10 • Formboss

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS 2022

EARLY YEARS NATURE PLAYSCAPE RICHARD MALCOLM ORR HOLMESGLEN

FAMILY GARDENS SHOULD ALLOW FOR A DIVERSITY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FAMILY; PLAY, RELAXATION, SOCIAL INTERACTION, VISUAL PLEASURE AND SO ON.

This garden allows children to interact with their family and friends, but also retreat to an out of the way corner overlooking the yard.

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Acacia cognata ‘Limelight’

Acacia Limelight

A mixture of play and educational opportunities are provided. Areas such as, sand play, water play in the creek, balance coordination on the creek edge rocks and log, and a fruit and vegetable garden for the production of healthy foods and for the children to learn to grow and cook them.

Callistemon viminalis ‘Slim’

Bottle Brush slim

Callistemon viminalis ‘Better John’

Bottle Brush Better John

Eremophila glabra prostrate

Emu Bush

Dianella longifolia

Flax Lilly

Anigozanthos flavidus ‘Gold’

Kangaroo Paw – Gold

The decking and pergola area allows for interaction on many levels; a quiet space for structured and unstructured play while, all the while overseeing all aspects of the garden.

SPONSOR Bunnings Warehouse

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

Anigozanthos flavidus ‘Kanga Red’ Kangaroo Paw – Red Citrus x limon ‘Lisbon’

Lisbon Lemon

Prunus salicina

‘Mariposa’ Plum

Lomandra longifolia ‘Tanika’

Mat Rush

Correa ‘Dusky Bells’

Native Fuchsia

Citrus x sinensis

Orange Valencia

Rhagodia spinescens

Salt Bush

Banksia marginata

Silver Bansia

Eucalyptus scoparia

Wallangarra White Gum

Acacia cognata ‘lime magik’

Wattle

Westringia hybrid ‘Blue Gem’

Westringia Blue Gem

Grevillea hybrid ‘Royal Rambler’

Grevillea

Adenanthos sericeus

Woolly Bush

Various herbs and vegetables

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS

WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE HAN LIN HOLMESGLEN

A GARDEN DESIGNED TO RELAX OVER THE PAST AND FIND YOUR INNER PEACE.

Everyone might have their own baggage of the past in life. Hence this design inspired from, whatever happened in the past should stay in the past. This garden is designed to relax in, leaving the past behind, to find a moment of peace. This garden is designed to be separated into two different vibes by the water pond in the middle. The front of the garden is using tropical plants to create a passionate effect

KEY BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Acer palmatum

Japanese Maple

Nymphaea odorata

Water Lily

Himalayacalamus porcatus

Nepalese Blue Bamboo

Cycas revoluta

Sago Palm

Cordyline banksii x pumillo

Cordyline Red Fountain

Chamaedorea elegans

Parlour Palm

Ravenala madagascariensis

Travellers Palm

Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ Kidney Weed

Echeveria affinis

Black Prince

Ophiopogan japonicus

Dwarf Mondo Grass

Phormium ‘Anna Red’

Anna’s Red Flax

Loropetalum chinensis ‘Plum Gorgeous’

Loropetalum ‘Plum Gorgeous’

Ficus elasctica ‘Burgundy’

Rubber Fig

Clivia miniata

Bush Lily

in the garden, before visitors step into the calmer, resting area in the back of the garden.

SPONSORS Speciality Trees • True Green Nursery • All Green Nursery & Garden • Bamstone • FormBoss

Plants chosen for the rear of the garden, like bamboo, maple and water lily, are simple and calming to create a harmonious environment for people to rest and relax. You could sit on the bench, light up the fire pit to warm yourself at night, enjoy a few beers, and have a moment of peace.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS 2022

THE QUIET CORNER GALIN DIMITROV HOLMESGLEN

ESCAPE TO YOUR OWN LUSH URBAN OASIS EVERY DAY.

KEY BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Acacia cognata ‘Limelight’

Acacia

Dichondra repens

Dichondra

Stachys byzantina

Lambs Ear

Ligularia dentata

Leopard plant

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

Hydrangea

Ficus microcarpa hillii ‘Flash’

Ficus

Citrus latifolia

Tahitian Lime

Clivia miniata ‘Peach’

Clivia

Carex ‘Feather Falls’

Carex

Trachelospermum jasminoides

Chinese Star Jasmine

Liriope muscari ‘Isabella’

Lilyturf

Hedychium coccineum ‘Tara’

Ginger Lily

Hosta ‘Patriot

Hosta

This garden comprised of predominantly evergreen plants with a splash of bright blooms, was designed to inspire outdoor living. Take a seat on the bench and leave your workday behind enveloped by the lush vegetation. Why not enjoy a gin & tonic with a slice of homegrown lime, while you contemple the restorative beauty and tranquillity of your own urban oasis. The shade from the overhead vines or alternatively, the warmth from the firepit, mean that this outdoor space can, and should be, enjoyed year-round. This modest space also works well for small soirees and family gatherings. Whether enjoyed quietly or socially, immersion in this garden will be the tonic and sparkle in your day.

SPONSORS Botanix Plant Supply • Brother Nature Nursery • Humphris Nurseries • Yamina Rare Plants • Tall Trees • Luxescape Design • Bamstone • Aussie Heatwave Fireplaces

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

PROFILE: AUSFLORA

Are Protea Native to Australia? By Linda Sijpkes, Ausflora Pacific

Isopogon species, Australian Native

The short answer to this question is… no. But where does the myth that they are native come from? Plants have names just like we do, all plants are given a botanical name consisting of a first name known as Genus (plural Genera) and a second name known as species, these are usually Latin names and are italicised when written with only the first letter of the genus capitalised. Genera are then grouped by the features they share these groups are known as a plant family. The system of naming plants this way has been in use since the 1700’s when it was developed by Carl Linnaeus a famous botanist of the time.

The genus Protea is part of a large plant family mainly found in the Southern hemisphere called the Proteaceae family which contains approximately 80 Genera and 1600 species. The largest range of Proteaceae are found in Australia and South Africa, however they can also be found in Madagascar, South East Asia, New Guinea and New Zealand. It is believed that the Proteaceae family diversified over 90 million years ago on the super continent of Gondwana. Named after the Greek god Proteus who took on many forms, The Proteaceae family is an incredibly diverse family of plants ranging from shrubs to large trees, small flowers to large flowers and fine foliage to large leaf. All Proteaceae plants have a proteoid root system, which is a specialised root system that forms clusters of roots usually

Lambertia formosa, Australian Native

Protea cynaroides aka King Protea, South African Native which symbolises diversity and courage and is its countries National Flower

Hakea sericea, Australian Native

Protea scolymocephla, South African Native

Leucadendron argenteum aka Silver Tree, South African Native

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

PROFILE: AUSFLORA u

near the surface of the soil to better uptake nutrients in nutrient deficient soils. With over 800 species native to Australia, some of the best known Australian Proteaceae genera are Hakea, Banksia, Grevillea, Telopea (aka Waratah), Macadamia, Isopogon, Adenanthus (aka Woolly Bush), Dryandra, Lambertia and Persoonia to name just a few. Popular Proteaceae genera that are native to South Africa include genera such as Protea, Leucadendron (aka Conebush), Leucospermum (aka Pincushion Protea), Aulax (aka Featherbush) and Serruria. Telopea speciosissima aka NSW Waratah and the Floral Emblem of New South Wales, Australian Native

Proteaceae genera native to South Africa are widely cultivated in Australia for Floristry and Gardens, as they require similar growing conditions to their Australian relatives, they are often grown alongside them and mistakenly referred to as native. The genus Protea is also incredibly diverse, species such as P.nana and P.scolymocephla have small flowers around 4cm in diameter whilst possibly the most famous of the Proteas, Protea cynaroides commonly known as King Protea has flowers up to 30cm in diameter and is the National Flower of its home, South Africa. In many instances all plants of the Proteaceae family are referred to as Protea, however Protea is a genus of its own that has over 90 species and many cultivars. If you want to know the true identity of your plants always ask for its botanical name.

Grevillea species, Australian Native

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

MT EVELYN GARDEN CENTRE: WELLBEING

The Healthy Home Office By Steven Touzel, Mt Evelyn Garden Centre Whether temporary or permanent, the home office has become an important space as more people are working from home. A pleasant and comfortable work zone will improve work satisfaction and productivity. If a temporary home office space is required, here are some keys to ensure that your workspace is a pleasant and enjoyable place to be. The Position – Ideally a space away from the activities of the household is desirable. A spare room transformed is excellent if this is available. It will mean changes and rearranging, but this is normally achievable with skilful use of space. It is not always possible to find a spare room and a small area of the main living space may need to be claimed. This should be screened off from the living area as much as possible. Plants are great for screening off a separate workspace. Create your own little jungle corner. Think Big – If the space is available, bring in some large potted plants. Olive trees are very hardy and will cope with periods indoors. Even Citrus trees can be added to your indoor space and bring with them a wonderful fresh fragrance. Think outside the normal to bring the natural goodness of the outdoors to the indoor spaces.

The Routine – Work in some daily exercise. Have your start and finish times. Take your breaks with a walk around the garden. This is a great chance to check on the progress of the veggie patch. A ten-minute stretch and stroll is recommended for each hour of sitting. When the workday is done, close everything down and be prepared for the next day. Resist the temptation to return to work projects until it is start time tomorrow. A good walk or a half hour in the garden will give a great unwind time to move into an after-work mindset. Plants are proven to improve the air quality and general well-being of our spaces and our lives. Now more than ever, it is important to connect with nature and with each other. Make your ‘Stay at Home’ time an experience to refocus and reset the important things of life.

Your View – Windows will give access to fresh air and a view of the great outdoors. A view into the garden is fantastic and will connect you beautifully. If the view is less than inspiring, create a view with plants. This can be a garden or a collection of potted plants. The Workspace – A desk or table with ample room for equipment is ideal. The key to working at home is to be organised. Bookwork and papers can easily be piled if organised correctly. A comfortable chair is a necessity for the long hours of sitting. To be able to use the chair from the ‘normal’ office is a huge advantage if this is possible. A beautiful potted plant or two in your space will make life much more pleasant. GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

RETAIL STATE OF PLAY SPONSORED BY:

Mt Evelyn Garden Centre This year Mt Evelyn Garden Centre celebrates 50 years of working with customers to create beautiful living spaces. The garden centre has evolved into a modern destination filled with life, colour and inspiration and is a must on a day trip to the magical Dandenong’s or Yarra Valley.

Shop Local – For the Right Advice There is no doubt that plants and gardens provide their own form of garden therapy – it’s proven by research. There’s also no doubt that plants need a little care to thrive, so make sure you buy quality plants from the plant experts, your local independent garden centres. Whether you are a keen gardener, a novice, a dabbler or even a decorator, you will benefit from the right advice. The people in garden centres love plants and love passing on their knowledge in a simple, friendly manner. Do you need to know the best time to prune, the best time to feed, the best fertilisers to use, or how to control garden pests and more? People often ask ‘which indoor plant is best for my sunroom?’. You will get the correct answers and much more from local garden centres and nurseries. While there is also a wealth of information online, nothing beats talking with a real expert face-to-face. You may just want to decorate your home, apartment or unit with relatively care-free plants. Garden centres will help you there, too. The ‘hot’ plants at the moment are indoor plants, succulents and herbs. The use of plants in health & wellness remedies is also trending. It is this versatility of plants that aids in developing a unique space that is cherished by its owners. So check out local garden centres, and find a plant that inspires you. Garden Releaf – Get in a garden, get healthy, have fun! Follow GCA on Facebook for regular updates www.facebook.com/gardenreleafaustralia

Leigh Siebler, Garden Centres of Australia E: leigh.siebler@bigpond.com M: 0409 889 779

www.gardenreleaf.com.au 48

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

Mt Evelyn Garden Centre offers a fantastic range of plants for outdoor and indoor spaces. The selection of plants to grow indoors is huge and includes all the favourite lush healthy foliage plants. There is also a great selection of flowering indoor plants to add splashes of colour to the home. The past few years has seen a massive resurgence in growing plants indoors and the new generation of ‘Plant Parents’ have loved discovering new selections of plants available. With excellent established relationships with Australia’s best plant growers, Mt Evelyn Garden Centre has regular supplies of top-quality larger plants to create instant features in the home. Customers can select smaller plants for offices or smaller spaces or enjoy instant results from the more established specimens that are sure to impress. The expanded Mt Evelyn Garden Centre showroom is designed with a beautiful rustic charm with a vast range of homewares, gifts, pots/baskets/containers, combo planters and terrariums to suit every decorator style and palette. A visit to Mt Evelyn Garden Centre will inspire great ideas to create wonderful places and spaces in which to enjoy life.

HUMPHRIS NURSERY: GRAFTING

Grafted treasures You may have heard the term grafted plants before and wondered what it actually means? In a production nursery it means stocking up on the first aid supplies – those grafting knives are sharp! Grafting is the process of joining two different plants together to create one super plant. The plants that are grafted together need to be compatible and both plants need to belong to the same family, apples with apples and citrus with citrus. The root stock is grown first and then the main event, the scion, is grafted on later. There are a various techniques to join the two plants together, and different styles are used for different plants. We graft to achieve special results from our plants, including: » Disease resistance – weaker plants can be grafted onto

strong rootstocks to become stronger » Soil tolerance – plants that like dry conditions can be grafted

onto a root stock suited to a broad range of soil types. So you can have that flowering Eremophila from outback WA growing happily in your rain soaked Melbourne garden » Reliability – bees are certainly our friends but if they pollinate

a yellow flower with the pollen from a red flower there are no guarantees that the seed produced will be a yellow flowering plant. Grafted plants are a way to guarantee the flower colour » Plant habitat – if we graft a tall growing plant on a small

growing rootstock then the size of the finished plant will be compact. We do this with citrus and other fruits, instead of a towering fruit tree the dwarfing rootstock will keep the size to under two metres, perfect for smaller gardens and container plantings. To get an idea of how long the grafting production process takes, let’s look at the Acacia Waterfall Standard grafting time frame: Year one – plant the root stock seed. These need to be tended regularly to make sure they grow straight and any side shoots are removed so they don’t leave a scar.

Year two – graft the scion to the root stock. The scion and the rootstock ideally need to have the same diameter so the veins of the plant just under the bark are aligned, this will give a strong successful union. If they aren’t the same size then you will be left with a weak or unsuccessful graft. It can take months for the graft to knit to the understock, only then will the plant start to grow. Year three – The young plant is potted into its finished container. It will need all of this year to develop a strong stem and a top big enough for sale. Year four – the grafted plant is sent out to nurseries for sale. This timeline is pretty standard for grafted trees and shrubs, although depending on how tall you require the root stock the timeline can be reduced by 6 – 12 months. A faster growing plant like a tomato would have a radically reduced timeline of months rather than years. There are only a handful of production nurseries in Victoria that produce grafted plants. It is a highly specialised field that takes extensive plant knowledge and technical skills. Grafted plants are highly sought after and slow to produce, this can mean that sometimes it is difficult to source the plant that you want or often there is a waiting list. Keep your eyes open for grafted treasures in your local nursery, there is something special for every garden. From ornamental weeping cherries, brilliant flowering eucalypts, succulent fruits to prickly cactus, you can really appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into every single plant. Humphris Nursery is a Victorian production nursery with a specialised grafting team. Featured in their range are dwarf Corymbias, Brachychitons, standardised Acacias and Grevilleas, Eremophilas and a range of fruiting trees. You can find their grafted products in all good garden centres.

GROUNDSWELL MIFGS 2022

Groundswell - MIFGS 2022 Edition

Articles inside

AUSFLORA PACIFIC

MT EVELYN GARDEN CENTRE

HUMPHRIS NURSERY

ACHIEVABLE GARDENS

GREENING OUR CITIES

SUSTAINABILITY

VICTORIAN SCHOOLS GARDEN PROGRAM

BOMBORA POTS

TREE AND SHRUB GROWERS OF VICTORIA

REVEALED

BALCONY GARDENS BY DEEPDALE

NGIV PRECINCT

GARDEN DESIGNS

NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA