On Saturday, the group will meet a guide at the National Arboretum for an overview of the plantings with the deciduous trees hopefully displaying autumn colour. They will then proceed to the Southern Tablelands Ecosystem Park (STEP) to view the design and plantings of the trees and understorey plants of the Southern Tablelands.  Contact Margaret on 0408 447 678 for details.

The March meeting was held at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens. Tour guide Margaret led the group through the Sensory Garden and pointed out the many adaptations of Acacias and Eucalypts.  They then toured the nursery and propagation area where gardens manager and fellow APS member Michael Anlezark outlined the changing functions. Volunteers work on propagating the plants of the region for not only the Gardens’ own displays but also for sales to the public, revegetation projects and weed swaps.

At the April meeting, the group visited the extensive garden of Catriona and Phil whose property is located on the edge of the escarpment overlooking Lake Conjola and Milton and is a garden set on the rich soils of former rainforest pockets comprising two hectares of volcanic soil known as Milton monzonite.

As leaders of the Petrophile and Isopogon Study Group they share a keen interest in propagating these members of the Proteaceae family. One example is Grevillea bipinnatifida - a plant not often grown these days although it was popular in the late 20th century. Not all plants in this garden need to be grafted for success. Eastern state Banksias thrive including the very distinctive and attractive Banksia plagiocarpa which grows on Hinchinbrook Island.

After lunch Phil demonstrated his techniques for grafting the harder to grow plants including Banksia and Isopogon and members were offered an opportunity to try their hand at propagation. Don’t forget to check out www.austplants.com.au