NNNorthern Valley News
Norcia • Regans Ford • Wannamal
Chittering Wildflower Festival
Learn about the science on local farms
Page 8-9
Page 14-15
53
2015
Gingin Science Festival
September
Bindoon • Bullsbrook • Calingiri • Chittering • Gingin • Muchea • Mooliabeenie • New
Spring in full swing
Nina and Anton Foulkes-Taylor with their daughter Vivienne du Plessis Tamieka Preston
The spontaneous eruption of new hybrid plants amongst her wildflower plantings is what delights Nina Foulkes-Taylor most about the cut wildflower business she runs from the Bindoon property she shares with her husband Anton. Formerly sheep producers, Nina and Anton established Plantation Wildflowers in 1980 when wool ‘fell in a hole’.
florists Nina began growing a list of popular flowers. 35 years later the farm has 35 acres of wildflowers under cultivation and produces an estimated 30 ton of flowers sold to both global and domestic markets. High demand for waxflower has driven plantings of around 25 varieties at the plantation, the unique characteristics of which become apparent on closer inspection.
“We looked at the garden, and we looked at the beautiful wildflowers growing in the bush, and we looked at the people coming up to pick them, and we saw potential,” says Nina.
Big, bold, beautiful and vibrant deep pink in colour, the aptly named ‘Supermum’ is a unique hybrid developed on the farm as a result of cross-fertilization between varieties which normally grow thousands of kilometers apart.
After contacting wholesalers and
A self-taught horticulturist, Nina
Chittering
Offers over $719,000
bindoon
2837 Chittering Valley Road 3.14 acres
88 Hart Drive
SOMETHING SPECIAL!! Sought after location surrounded by farmland and magnificent views in every direction. Beautifully renovated 4x2 brick home to high spec. Aircon, fireplace, verandas, paddocks. Viewing a must!! Amy McAuliffe 0400 298 884
selected the plant based not only for the beauty of its flower, but it’s robust and vigorous nature – qualities desirable in every matriarch. Registering Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) for the variety means it can be grown and sold by nurseries as a garden plant, and whilst there is potential for royalties from developing new plant varieties, for the Foulkes-Talyors the passion to propagate is more about personal satisfaction and furthering the industry. Nina has passed on the ‘green thumb’ she inherited from her mother – a passionate gardener – to her daughter Vivienne, who joined the family business in 2007.
$450,000
gingin
Together they have developed a prostrate form of pink waxflower which has been registered for PBR and will soon be available in garden centres. They named the new variety ‘Tumbelina’ to reflect its uniquely tumbling habit as well as it’s tiny flower. “This style is so exciting,” says Vivienne, “It could be used as a ground cover but we’ve trained one as a standard – its the sort of plant which will look gorgeous as a feature.” “We’ve always enjoyed our niche market and the process of developing new plants,” says Nina. It’s clearly the icing on the cake after the rigourous physical demands of running the farm, and
$450,000
the back-breaking work involved in picking and packing the thousands of bunches ordered in peak season. As well as local people, backpackers are employed to help the family during the busiest time. “It’s a very satisfying job – very few people in the industry are rich,” she laughs, “But most are happy.” With spring in full swing, the family will join the community in celebrating our fabulous wildflowers this month at the annual Chittering Wildflower Festival to be held from the 17 – 20 September. They’ll be selling bunches of their uniquely diverse varieties of waxflower along with many other stunning, locally-grown wildflowers.
Lennard Brook
$675,000
34 Robinson St
142 Lennards Brook Rd
Brick 4x2 home high on a hill set in bush surrounds. The home has two living areas, galley kitchen, slate flooring, aircon, fireplace, two tanks, garden shed. Great starter home or investment at this price!!
Great first home or retirement Home on 1349sqm. Four bedroom brick and iron, solar power, double garage, great location opposite school and walking distance to main street.
40 hectares 6.2ha Mangoes and Mandarins. 2ha under netting with table grapes (need attention) Accommodation unit, packing shed 20m x 15m Coolroom 10m x 10m, bore equiped 280,000kl water license.
Amy McAuliffe 0400 298 884
Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864
Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864
4.96acres