How their gardens grow: Harry Webb, Gaetan and Pauline Limsowtin and Roger Wileman inspect another discussion point for Australian Plants Society.
By John Van Klaveren
“Buy Australian” is a well-worn slogan these days but a group of Geelong plant lovers are hoping “Grow Australian” becomes just as popular.
The Geelong group of Australian Plants Society runs an annual autumn native plant sale as part of its campaign for more indigenous flora.
President Harry Webb said the beauty and variety of native plants hooked new members.
“We promote Australian plants because Australia has the best flora in the world,” Harry said.
“We’re an active group and keep ourselves informed on the latest news and trends on Australian natives.
“I only have a small garden but I have 200 different plants in it, such is the variety available.”
The group’s regular meetings include a “specimen table” for which each member brings from their garden a sample of flora and tells its story.
“There are so many advantages of native plants,” Harry emphasised.
“They attract native birds, propagate plants by spreading the seed and are natural to the environment.
“We leave the exotics alone.”
The group formed in 1966 as part of Australian Plants Society, now boasting an estimated 1200 members in Victoria alone.
Links have been forged with Geelong Field Naturalists and Geelong Environment Council.
The club was involved in major plant projects including Elcho Park Golf Club and Ocean Grove Nature Reserve.
“There was a lot of enthusiasm for native plants in those early days, even though they were hard to come by,” Harry said, “so people learned how to propagate them from seeds and cuttings and often swapped plants to build up collections.
“It’s a lot easier to obtain a greater variety of native plants these days – there are whole nurseries dedicated to them.”
Harry said the group encouraged good-natured competition for bragging rights.
“We organise trips to the outback to observe what’s around and every time it makes you realise what a great variety of plants we have.
“There are outings to different gardens. We’ve visited Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, Anglesea Heath, Brisbane Ranges and Inverleigh Com-mon.
“We have some members with excellent know-how developed over the years and you learn from the veterans of the club.
“We also hold working bees at rail trails and nature walks.”
Harry said more information on the club was available by emailing apsgeelong@gmail .com or visiting apsvic.org.au.
