Post Conference tour to Northern Tasmania
As a member of the post conference tour I struggled to emerge after a hectic conference and be ready to leave for the airport by 7 am. But Tasmania soon wrought its own special magic. The day was perfect -sunny, clear and still. We travelled a short distance from the airport to enjoy the roses at an 1820's homestead on the Norfolk Plains. A delicious lunch was served under big old shady trees and we wandered aound a walled kitchen garden planted with long borders of roses and perrennials. A large old bush of First Love interested us against the homestead wall. The roses were 3 to 4 weeks behind our Victorian gardens and while ours had been in full bloom and and coming to an end of their first flowering the Tasmanian roses were just emerging and we were enchanted with masses of perfect blooms. The Iris were in full flower as well and it was like putting the clock back and enjoying an early spring all over again. We then travelled to an historic home built in 1828 where descendants of the original owners still live. I visited this garden more than 10 years ago and was so pleased to find the avenue of hedged Stanwell Perpetual in full bloom . The garden is a delight and we enjoyed Nevada on the gazebo and spectacular yellow Lawrence Johnson scrambling over a tall fence.
The next morning took us out towards the Great Western Tiers -spectacularly blue in the brilliant sun- to Entally House. In recent years the Northern Tasmanian Heritage Rose group have been very involved in restoring the garden at this National Trust property. Their design is based on the way the garden is designed at Mottisfont in UK and if you have been fortunate enough to have seen the rose collection at Mottisfont you would recognise the way the plantings have been done. The roses were at their brilliant best, and the industrious band of volunteers greeted us with enthusiasm as well as scones and jam and cream!
But the highlight of the morning was sitting under a lovely old tree and listening to well known rosarian Susan Irvine read to us from her latest book -"Rosehips and Crab Apples" When this trip was first planned over 2 years ago we had hoped to visit Susan's garden but circumstances change and she is no longer able to open her garden for visitors. We were so very fortunate that Susan was able to come and talk with us. I will always treasure the memory of her reading to us in her brilliant pink hat, a twinkle in the eye, and her amusing comments as she read carefully chosen excerpts. We thank you, Susan.
We then travelled out past Deloraine (which my father told me was always "dull or rainey") -to a country garden on a green hillside looking straight out to the mountains. Majestic Mt Roland was peaking at us on the right hand side and we wandered around a garden with lovely stone walls clad in clematis, perennials and roses. Lunch appeared quite magically -a french roll tied up with string so the ingredients could not fall out!- Our next garden was an inspiraton. A woodland environment has been created to include hundreds of rare and unusual plants delicately planted amongst the mature trees. And yet the 300 roses still found enough sun to give us a wonderful show.
The next morning took us down the Tamar river. High on the hill overlooking the river we found a potager and fences and structures covered in Pinkie, Sparrieshoop, Pierre de Ronsard, and Nevada. We moved to another very extensive garden overlooking the river- this time a series of rooms from which we emerged to find an amazing Iris Nursery. Of course you can never take a heritage rose group to a nursery. They are compulsive buyers and so we emerged with numerous iris to be transferred to newspaper and plastic bags and carried home in our suitcases. It is legal to do that from Tasmania!!
Our final dinner which really ended the conference for us all was at Cataract Gorge. The Northern Tasmanian Regional group joined with us which gave us a wonderful opportunity to present the life membership award to Wendy Langton who had not been able to attend the conference. Congraulations Wendy for a superb contribution over many years and in both South Australia and Tasmania. Our last morning found us enjoying the historic Woolmers estate in the rain and and an artist's home and garden in a restored 1820's Coaching Inn. All too soon we were off to the airport and home to an ordinary life.
Post Conference one day tour of Mornington Peninsula Gardens
This tour, with over 80 participants, was an introduction to iconic local gardens featuring strong design elements and virtuoso planting.
In perfect Mornington Peninsula weather we arrived at The Garden Vineyard where Di Johnson greeted us and provided us with an overview of her philosophy and how she feeds, fertilizes and generally manages her large garden. To say that delegates were "blown away" would be an understatement, as this is one of the most beautifully landscaped and planted gardens to be found anywhere. We enjoyed a delicious morning tea in idyllic surroundings.
Heronswood, home of The Diggers Club enabled our many interstate guests to visit a property which they had heard or read about for years. Overlooking Port Phillip Bay in Dromana, this garden has much to interest the garden lover, with emphasis on sustainable, water-wise gardening, and vegetable cultivation. Many enjoyed shopping for seeds and plants to take home.
Then it was up the hill to Montrose in Red Hill in the very heart of the Peninsula. Lois and Walter McVitty's garden with its garden "rooms" and large vegetable plot was the perfect place for the delicious lunch prepared by volunteers to raise funds for our local Hospice. Red Hill chardonnay and wonderful cherries from the farm next door were an additional treat.
Our fourth garden was Willawong at Merricks North where Jenny and Cyril Lansell have transformed an overgrown old property into a 2.5 hectare showpiece set in a small farm. There was little evidence of the fact that 36 large Black Angus steers had spent a night in the garden just 48 hours earlier! From the lake, home to a large collection of Chinese geese and other water birds, to the generous vegetable gardens and stunning perennial beds, this was a fitting finale to a wonderful day.