EXCITING TIMES AHEAD AT 'THE SHAMBLES": A BOOK LAUNCH AND THEN AN OPEN GARDEN IN OCTOBER

Firstly to the Open garden.

We plan to open the garden again ‘’A Royal Spring Open Garden” on October 5^th and 6^th 2019

New and returning visitors to "The Shamblea" at 85 Western Avenue Montville will be able to see an extensive display of orchids, spring flowering shrubs and many rare plants.  Once again “The Shambles” will host a plant stall, toy and treasure stall and light refreshments.  So, if you plan to visit please bring cash and bring bags to carry home your loot.

Already over the Easter Weekend this year “The Shambles “ Open Garden and Plant Stall at Montville raised $5770  for the Western Queensland Drought Appeal. The garden has been opened for charity at least once a year since 2001. Organisations such as Legacy, Cittamani Hospice as well as the local community organizations have benefited from funds raised in the past.

But before we get as far as the October Open Garden plans are under way for a September book launch our our latest books. Our colourful book “Our Queenslanders, houses ♦gardens: Their Second century” illustrates the case for recognition and protection of our architectural and horticultural heritage. In fact, “The Queenslander” house may be Australias best known architectural style on the world stage.  As well as defining aspects of structural detail, our book describes the experience of living in a “Queenlander’ and illustrates fine urban and rural examples of these houses and gardens.  Our book touches on Architecture, History, Horticulture and Queensland identity with colourful images on most pages.

In the 21st century the pressure to subdivide and repurpose urban land threatens to remove or permanently alter the “Queenslander” which once defined the streetscape and the identity of our towns and cities. Modern tastes and expectations of housing lead to alteration of the “Queenslander” structure which threaten this vernacular housing style often making it unrecognisable.

“Our Queenslanders, homes♦gardens: Their second Century" and the accompanying book “Queenslander Gardens, Plants for their Second Century: with Historical References” will join our other high quality self published gardening and childrens books.  see our website www.montvillegarden.com   As in the past we have produced books in hard cover and in full colour. “Our Queenslanders, homes♦gardens: Their second Century" a hard cover book of 400pages will sell for $65, which will cover our printing costs. Only 100 copies have been printed.

“Our Queenslanders, homes♦gardens: Their second Century", after chapters defining the structural features which define a “Queenslander” goes on to discuss the use of timber or masonry and takes some time over structures such stumps, stairs verandas and details concerning corrugated iron and structural ornamentation. Chapters concerning “Queenslander” interiors discuss everything from paint and pressed metal to electrical fittings and furniture.  The “Queenslander” garden is treated in similar detail with chapters on botanizing and collecting, through structural features such as fences, gates and bush houses to the planting palette.

In the latter part of the book urban and rural examples of “Queenslander” houses and gardens are colourfully illustrated along with note pages on familiar Queensland plants such Frangipani and Agagpanthus.

“Queenslander Gardens, Plants for their Second Century: with Historical References” is based on a detailed inventory of garden worthy plants for “Queenslander” gardens and where available historic references of their use in gardens in their second century.