"The Shmables" November 2014, Record Heat, prolonged dry

"Cousin Essie" like our other old fashioned roses , getting through unseasonal heat and dry.

 

In spite of a rather prolonged dry spell, and last weekend 40' celcius heat, the garden has done very well.  The reward for years of appropriate plant species selection, judicious watering, adequate mulching and garden maturity reflects in our garden weathering excessive dry or wet without damage.

The only thing is , plant collectors keep collecting plants and we have often been caught out trying to nurse and protect newly acquired, precious specimens with hand watering and daily supervision.

I'm quite worried about the fate of about 50 tube stock lavandula stoechus, Lavandula dentata, Rosmarinus and Westringea in the harsh environment of our front embankment where we can't do anything but trust in the Lord when it comes to initial settling in.

We have acquired two Spiraea "Anthony Waterer" and the only fatality in recent tough times has been a juvenile Rondoletia amoena.  This latter specimen will be replaced with bloody minded determination because Rondoletia leucophylla "Russian Star" and Rondoletia splendens have done so well.

Looking forward to more comfortable times with the weather as the many different Agapanthus, Lilium lancifoliums, Lilium longflorums etc. "hit their straps".

Michael Simpson

OPEN GARDEN , FLAXTON 15TH 16TH NOVEMBER

Tanderra House , Flaxton

Don't stay in Brisbane during the G20 lockdown, under surveillance from the G20 control centre

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY, AND VISIT AN OPEN GARDEN

 15-16th NOVEMBER weekend,  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.

President Obama enjoying "Tanderra House" , stopping off from the G20

see www.opengarden.org.au

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

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

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

New developments, new plantings Spring 2014 at "The Shambles"

Bouvardia longifolia Pink

Encouraged by warmer weather and a couple of showery days (no real rain) we have seen new spring foliage and flowers start to erupt throughout the garden.
Newly added plants include Bouvardia longifolia "Daphne" series in pinks, white and also in red. These were placed in a sheltered position below the verandah.
A collection of Iochroma being held over winter were planted out in a redeveloped area near the drive, shaded by a very large Tabebuia chrysotrica and Cassia fistula. Iochroma include "Wine Red" I. warweszekii and other varieties.
Juvenile specimens of Forsythia viridissima, Viburnum suspensum, Viburnum opulus and Kolkwitzia amabilis have survived the winter and are producing their spring foliage or flowers. At last we have flowers coming on Hippeastrum papilio and a well established group of Smow Poppy Eucomis.

Our car garage, being immediately on the left when entering the garden has been made over by being lined and with the addition of fancy cornices and columns to compliment the garden all around it. The Cardinal creeper Ipomoea horsfallii has been preserved and the Honeysuckle which once dominated will be kept low.
Michael Simpson

"Thje Shambles" Spring approaches, new projects

 

 

The whole of the ground beneath this Cassia fisula and the Tabebuia next to it needs to be regardened before spring.

Several new plants were added and a couple replaced over the weekend

Stenocarpus "Doreen" near wishing well
replaced Grevillea "Caloundra Gem" near Gatehouse
replaced Rondeletia amoena near gate and a group of thriving Camellia sasanqua

Prumnopitys ladei or Black Pine is establishing well near Blue trellis garden and is a much safer bet than Wollemia nobilis which hated our rich soil and wet conditions at times.

Plans advancing well to renovate our 4 bay car garage to better compliment the style of the house and garden
Michael Simpson