Top ten list of garden plants

  • Abutilons of all kinds
  • Buddlejas old and new
  • Epiphytic orchids and ferns
  • Gordonia species
  • Heliotrope, Lemon verbena, Fennel and herbs
  • Michelias of all sorts
  • Perennial Salvias large and small
  • Species Camellias
  • Tea and China Roses
  • Weigela of all types

Montville Rose

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Open Garden at Flaxton

"Tanderra House" ( "Chermside") and the Dixon Family 1915

Getting very close to 15-16th NOVEMBER weekend when the garden of Ann and Geoff Hocking, "Tanderra House" Flaxton will open as part of Open gardens Australia
Address: 11 Flaxton Mill Rd, Flaxton.
Opening time is 10am-4.30pm.  and admissionis $8.00 (under 18 free) funds raisd for charity.
The historic 1908 House is complemented by a beautifully maintained, well balanced and spacious garden where mature flowering trees and shrubs contrast effectively with sweeping lawns. Splendid Magnolia grandiflora, hardy camellias, gardenias, agapanthus, heliconias, bromeliads and palms. Vegetable garden and fruit trees. Refreshments are being served and a plant stall will be in place for those inspired to take some gardening home.
see www.opengarden.org.au

In the mean time "The Shambles" is getting ready for 50 bus visitors from Toowoomba on Wednesday for morning tea and a inspection of the garden. In spite of protracted dry and now hot weather the garden is lush, green and has plenty of spring flowers to show off

Michael Simpson

"Tanderra House" open 15th and 16th November 2014

Monday, October 20, 2014

Preparations for visitors and new plantings

Hellebore ? argutifolios brought ome from Toowoomba October 2014
A few showers are all the encouragement we need to plant more at "The Shambles"
On a recent trip to Toowoomba we visited Penny MacKinlay and purchased cuttings grown roses to replace or supplement existing stocks.
2 x 'Lady Hillingdon'
2 x 'Seduction'
2 x 'Graham Thomas'
At an open Garden at Mabel Street Toowoomba we also purchased 5 x Helleborus argutifolius (holly-leaved hellebore, Corsican hellebore) syn. H. corsicus, H. lividus subsp. corsicus
Our order of tubestock from the Fernview Nursery arrived in good condition. Many of these are destined for our sunny front embankment


10x Lavandula stoechus 'Ploughman
10x Lavandula stoechus 'Anon View"
10 x Lavandula dentata
10 x Rosmarinus officinalis
10 x Westringia 'Smokey'

Everywhere else in the garden there is a very encouraging vigour in the new season growth
Epiphytic orchids have been prolific in flowering this year
 Michael Simpson
 
  

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Spring and seasons change at "The Shambles"


Austin , Kyleigh and "Bear" in the garden at "The Shambles"

It has ben a marvellous spring so far. The garden has never looked so prosperous. New plantings eith bought or from cutting are thriving. Forgotten gems that had been dormant emerged with beautiful flowers including Hippeastrum papilio, Araesema candidissima, Eumecon (snow poppy) and Hippeastrum equestra.
As the various Azaleas and Camellias finished we noticed many pleasant spring arrivals and revivals.
From bare sticks very young Viburnum populus, Viburnum megalocephalum, Kolkwitzia amabilis, Deutzia gracilis and Forsythia viridissima reassured that they were established. It was very rewarding to see Physocarpus (ninebark) reemerge. 
The yearly riot of colour from Spiraea cantoniensis flore pleno is reinforced by flowering from Spiraea reevsiana, Spiraea bumada and Spiraea japonica with the various type of Brunfelsia all synchronizing a spring display.
Next it will be the roses and many other perennial and annual favourites
Michael Simpson