Spring. Mmm…. Usually Spring brings warmer weather along with some associated rains but this year we are still waiting for the warmer weather. Hopefully the plants in your gardens are starting to break out in all their glory. Anyway, in the meantime here’s our next newsletter for you to read during the days of Spring rain and not so good weather. Note – Our feature photo is from Eva and Ray Turner.

Sturt’s Desert Pea

Here’s a photo of Elaine Watson’s Sturts Desert Pea, Swainsona formosa, to whet our appetite – what a stunning display!

Faunascapes

Due to his unavailability for our normal Tuesday meeting time our speaker, Ron Litjen, spoke to our group during the afternoon on Saturday 31st May. Thanks to our Leader Robyn Tyson who provided me with her report –

On May 31st we had an extra special APS meeting, it was scheduled for a Saturday afternoon because our speaker needed lots of time to tell us about “FAUNASCAPING”, a word he made up but thought if we all talk about it enough it will get added to the dictionary.

Ron Litjens, is a neuro scientist by trade but a man after my own heart,  a Citizen Scientist with his fingers in many pies. He recently was awarded Murrindindi Shire Volunteer of the Year, not a mean feat.

He spoke about the elements of enticing creatures into your garden or property, but being aware of what you wish for. He has created, with his neighbours, a wildlife corridor to his five acre property and now has a mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. If you want butterflies you must accept caterpillars.

The elements he spoke of in detail, were-

Water – large ponds if you have the space, but just a bird bath is sufficient

Food – but NOT feeding. Plants providing nectar and pollen will feed some animals, but bring insects, feeding others.

Shelter- Whether that is artificial or created habitat or just plants. 

His common theme was provide it and they will come.

He regaled us with stories and fabulous photographs. The two hours flew by, the committee is thinking of doing it again next year so those that missed out could attend.

According to Secretary, Jacqui Oldham – “Our last talk by Ron Litjen was a standout-  an engaging speaker with so many ideas and facts to discuss and process. We could have easily gone on for another hour!”

Mt Buffalo

Our leader Robyn Tyson was our speaker for the June 17th evening meeting at Bentons Square.
After the COMM in Wangaratta 2024 Robyn went to Mt Buffalo. Unfortunately it poured rain for the 3 days that she camped at Lake Catani so she just walked around that area whenever she could. That said she managed to spot and photograph lots of plants in flower to share. Here’s a few photos Robyn included and sent to me. She saw lots of peas, both egg and bacons, Hoveas,

and other flowers such as Boronia, Prostantheras,

Orchids and small herbs.

The photo of the indigenous Eucalyptus Mitchelliana below is certainly full of character.

June Plant Table

Thanks to Barbara and Howard Sachs for sending some photos of their picks from the June Plant Table whilst Karen and I were away.

Koala Conservancy Tree Planting

Following on from having Dirk Jansen speak about Koala Conservancy at our April meeting, members had the chance to join in at a tree planting on Sunday 29th June. It was held on a private property in Moorooduc. With any luck koalas could be back in the area in about seven years.

June Plant of the Month

We were very happy with the number and length of flowering for our Correa alba, pink form shrub. It is sitting on a retaining wall and this was it’s best display in the 5-6 years since it was planted.

RGB Long Island Project

Jack Dewhurst from the Royal Botanical Gardens presented on the RGB’s Long Island project at the July 15th meeting at Bentons Square. Jack spoke on creating indigenous gardens with remnant flora. This included what is still remnant from when the gardens were created, eg River red gums as the Yarra River was moved. Apparently the present lake system was billabongs once upon a time. He talked about the shift in focus at RBG from a show garden to a collection garden to safeguard endangered plants but to bring awareness and education to visitors.

FJC Rogers Seminar

Our group hosted this major event at Mornington Theatre on August 2nd and 3rd. The focus was on Epacrids with speakers on the Saturday with a dinner in the evening and a number of excursions on the Sunday.

Here’s a thank you message from our Leader, Robyn Tyson.

“A very successful FJC Rogers Seminar was held. Now I and the committee have had a chance to catch our breath, I would like to personally thank all those who contributed to such a successful weekend.

The committee worked as a well oiled machine, each individual part working in sync with each other, doing their chosen jobs. The non committee members who volunteered, went above and beyond as non elected members to make sure it was a success and those of you who put your hands up to volunteer to aid in set up, backup, kitchen, raffle etc, a big heartfelt thank you.

An endeavour this big, that showcases APS outside the membership, highlights the benefits of membership, the purposes of the organisation, but for me it is also a social event bringing like minded people together to catch up, share knowledge, form new relationships and network.

Thank you all again to those who participated, the comments received from outside attendees have all been positive.”

Now here’s a couple of photos. The first one features guide Leon Costermans leading a group at Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve.

This one is at Bunarong Park in Frankston. The best views are from the lookout!

AGM plus more

Our AGM was held at our August 19th meeting at Bentons Square. Lee Denis retired as Deputy Leader and long time Leader and Committee member, Verena Reich also retired after having served since the group’s inception.

Committee member, Jill Barrett remembers making the presentation to Verena in recognition of all her work. “I was given the privilege of presenting Verena at our recent AGM with a well designed plaque to acknowledge her considerable contribution to APS Mornington Peninsula. Verena served as President for 10 years and both capably and conscientiously fulfilled her role. She has been awarded life membership and was appropriately commended for Plant Fairs, monthly Plant Table, FJC Rogers contributions plus technical  expertise and assistance to group members. Well done Verena.”

Our new committee for the upcoming year is-

Leader- Robyn Tyson, Deputy Leader – Katrina Melen, Secretary – Jacqui Oldham, Treasurer – Rob Powell, Committee members – Jill Bartlett, Marg Norton, Karen Luff and ex-officio + Web Manager, Mark Allison

Following on from the AGM members Barbara Huggins-Sachs and Howard Sachs as well as Secretary Jacqui Oldham gave us short presentations about how in their respective cases they have created new and different native gardens at their properties. Here are two snaps of Barbara and Howard’s front garden.

August Plant Table

Even though it was winter there was lots to see on our August plant table.

August Plant of the Month

Thanks to Ray Turner for giving me difficult job, which of these fabulous Acacias from their garden should be our August Plant of the Month? You can let me know which one you’d pick in the Comments section.

Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve excursion

Member, Lee Denis led a small group of members in an interesting walk around the Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve on Sunday 31st August. He linked a number of trails together so that we had a good appreciation of a large part of the reserve. Even though it was a flora walk Lee also gave us several insights into the history of the area. Thanks Lee.

Some Drosera, Nodding Green Hood Orchids and Hibbertia at ground level.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne – Grampians Beds

A large group attended our September 16th meeting at Bentons square. Our presenter, Matthieu Lascostes, began with a bit of his background, given he is originally from France, before giving us an engaging presentation about how different sections of the understory of the eucalyptus walk at RBG Cranbourne are being used to spotlight flora from other parts of the state. His talk centred on the plants of the Grampians. Through trial and error they are propagating and making good use of plants from the Grampians in the Box Garden. He brought a large collection of potted plants to support his presentation.

September Plant table

Spring Sensations at the Turners

As Spring arrives Ray Turner has sent me another collection of what is flowering in his and Eva’s garden. Thanks. Enjoy everyone.

Labertouche Nature Reserve

Report from Robyn Tyson –

Five of us usual walk attendees were joined by Helan and Dave for an investigate of the Labertouche Wildflower Reserve, which is part of the Bunyip State Forest.

A car pool of five women all talking at the same time made for lively discussion but a great getting to know you session.

Our first stop was under the powerlines to checkout the heathland, unfortunately it was the wrong powerlines but we found a lot in flower. 

As we meandered along the road there were a lot of ooh’s and aah’s as spot of colour was spotted and identified.

Lunch at the picnic ground surrounded by tall Eucalypts, Ziera and Phebalium in flower.

Our next stop was to look at Grevillea Barklyana, that is endangered as it only grows here along the creek line. At present they are only saplings, after regeneration from several bushfires,but become quite tall trees, they have Oak like leaves and long pink toothbrush flowers.

A short walk down to the falls and then a couple more stops to admire, Boronia, Tetratheca, Baeckea and orchids.

The flowers were not as spectacular as last year when Jacqui and I visited, due to lack or late rain falls, but well worth the excursion. 

September Plant of the Month

Verena Reich was very pleased with her Dendrobium speciosum blooming in all it’s glory in her garden at the end of the month. (Plus there’s a crazy Rhododendron viriosa that doesn’t know when to stop flowering at the bottom of the photo.)

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