HISTORY Journal of the Australian Garden History Society Australian Garden History is the official journal of the Australian Garden History Society and is published six times a year. ENQUIRIES Toll Free 1800 678 446 Ph (03) 9650 5043 Fax (03) 9650 8470 AGHS Office Royal Botanic Gardens Bird wood Avenue South Yarra Victoria 3141 aghs@vicnet.net.au www.vicnet.net.au/~aghs SUBSCRIPTIONS For 1 year membership: Single $47 Family $61 Corporate $73 Youth (25 and under) $20 ADVERTISING RATES GST inclusive 1/8 page $132 (2+ issues $121) 1/4 page $220 (2+ Issues $ 198) 1/2 page $330 (2+ issues $275) Full page $550 (2+ issues $495) Inserts $440 per page EDITOR Nina Crone 15 Acacia Road Promontory Views Victoria 3959 Ph. (03) 5663 2381 e-mail: ncrone@dcsi.net.au DESIGN Andrew Rankine Design Associates Ph (02) 6292 7819 www.arda.net.au PRINTING Goanna Print, Canberra ISSN 1033-3673 FRONT COVER Illustration Rogers' Cottage Robert Ingpen 1976 Original held by the Trust for Nature (Victoria) T he gardens featured in this edition of Australian Garden History could hardly be more diverse, certainly in their history. Claremont is a private garden that has been managed by zealous members of one family for 100 years; Churchill Island, now a public garden, was controlled by six quite different owners over a similar period. Now maintained by the Phillip Island Nature Park, it needs to be run as a commercially viable concern. Aside from the gardening experiences both properties have a place in the history of Victoria, indeed even of Australia. Churchill Island has a colonial history dating from 1801 while Claremont’s single family history commenced in 1901, the gardening style at this Federation villa being faithfully sustained thereafter. They are therefore an ideal coupling when celebrating anniversaries is occupying so much of the nations attention. As would be expected each occupier of Churchill Island used the land as individually desired. That could have been to the serious detriment of the sire. However, aided by thoughtful development, there is now an enjoyable experience awaiting visitors. Records of plantings as a consequence of the varied occupancies were sporadically kept yet major subjects remain to tell their own story. Thankfully the Grays at Claremont were meticulous with their records. Incidentally, both properties have one subject in common - each has the prominence of a Norfolk Island Pine. 1 he importance of having a master plan hardly needs stressing. That one is effective for Churchill Island is pleasing for it gives some assurance that there are carers in agreement who will not only follow it through but will inspire future generations to act accordingly. Claremont too has had its master plan, one in force for a century that has been adhered to with ‘tender, loving care. Such devotion will continue in the foreseeable future but there could come a time when strong preservation ideals are no longer in place. Then it will be a challenging site like Churchill Island. The challenges facing those concerned with Churchill Island are clearly defined and it is heartening to read the actions recommended for meeting them. That they are not impracticable should see them realised, hopefully sooner rather than later. Claremont is represented as one of Geelongs hidden treasures but with continued ‘open garden’ days and the lifting of the veil by Suzanne Hunt it will become better known. So here is another challenge, one for the citizens of Geelong and garden historians in general. Let the value of Claremont be fully understood and appreciated as a product of private endeavour. To leave it hidden is to risk losing it in a distant future to an unsympathetic third party. It is topical to mention the Geelong Botanic Gardens, established in 1851, which are also celebrating an important anniversary this year. With 14 trees designated by die National Trust as ‘significant’ these gardens must be considered an undoubted treasure. Wider exposure will come to them when a new extension links them to Eastern Beach. GUEST EDITORIAL by George Jones Photo: Greg. Carter. Renee Photography As a garden writer George Jones contributed to the AustrolianGarden Lover from 1972 to 1980 and to the Geelong Advertiser from 1979 to 2000. He also researched and published Growing Together, a gardening history of the Geelong region and was Foundation President of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens. An octogenarian, he has now retired from the commitments of a regular garden column. 2 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 CONTENTS 2001: A YEAR OF ANNIVERSARIES 4 The Challenge of Churchill Island SALLY O’NEILL discusses and celebrates the bicentenary of the first site for horticulture in Victoria 7 The Moonahs RODGER ELLIOT recalls some remarkable trees on Churchill Island 8 Richness in Diversity NICKY DOWNER reports on Conference 2000 9 Claremont: a Federation Villa Garden SUZANNE HUNT and JOHN HAWKER document a Geelong garden and its plants through one hundred years 21 On Tour FRANK PAGE describes a weekend’s botanising in the Cape Otway region 24 Valete MARION HUTTON and NORMAN WETTENHALL 25 www . aghs. DINAH HANSMAN brings the Australian Garden History Society into the era of ‘dot com’ 26 The Bookshelf LORRIE LAWRENCE reviews Michael McCoy’s Garden 26 Action, Events and Interests the information page 28 The Back Page: Options for Gardeners SALLY WILLIAMS offers impressions of gardens visited on the optional day of the conference Thanks to Beryl Black, Jane Bunney, Jackie Courmadias, Nina Crone, Richard Heathcote, Beverley and John Joyce, Laura Lewis, Cate McKern, Ann Miller, Suz and Jack Price, Annie Pyers, Mike and Kaye Stokes, Georgina Whitehead and Elizabeth Wright for packing the last issue of the Journal. © Australian Garden History Society 2001. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form for commercial purposes wholly or in part (other than the circumstances outlined in any agreement between the author/artist/photographer/illustrator and the Society) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Permission may be granted subject to an acknowledgment being made. Copying for private and educational purposes is permitted provided acknowledgment is made in any report, thesis or other document which has used information contained in this publication. NATIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE PATRON Margaret Darling CHAIRMAN Peter Watts VICE CHAIRMAN Richard Heathcote TREASURER Elizabeth Walker SECRETARY Helen Page EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jackie Courmadias ELECTED MEMBERS Virginia Berger Nicky Downer Jan Gluskie Katie Holmes Colleen Morris STATE REPRESENTATIVES Gabrielle Tryon (ACT) Nick Bray (NSW) Miriam Hansman (SA) Deirdre Pearson (Tas) Helen Page (Vic) Anne Willox (WA) Richard Jones (Q’ld) BRANCHES ACT/MONARO/ RIVERINA BRANCH Gabrielle Tryon 4 Anstey Street. Pearce. ACT 2607 Ph: (02) 6286 4585 QUEENSLAND BRANCH Richard Jones 35 Fernbourne Road. Wellington Point. Queensland 4160 Ph: (07) 3207 4018 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BRANCH Miriam Hansman 66 Alexandra Ave, Rose Park. SA 5067 Ph: (08) 8333 0043 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS BRANCH Nicholas Bray PO Box 323 Moss Vale. NSW 2577 Ph: (02) 4868 3376 Email: noodle@tpgi.com.au SYDNEY AND NORTHERN NSW BRANCH Colleen Morris 33-35 Ilka Street. Lilyfield, NSW 2040 Ph: (02) 9660 0573 TASMANIAN BRANCH Mrs Deirdre Pearson 15 Ellington Road, Sandy Bay, Tas 7005 Ph: (03) 6225 3084 VICTORIAN BRANCH Helen Page C/- Royal Botanic Gardens Birdwood Avenue South Yarra. Vic 3141 Ph/Fax: (03) 9650 5043 WEST AUSTRALIAN BRANCH Linda Green 28 Wardic St South Fremantle, WA 6162 (08) 9335 5906 Fax (08) 9335 1475 email: hidcote@global.net.au Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 3 CHURCHILL ISLAND THE FIRST CHALLENGE that Churchill Island faces is asserting its presence ... not many people know it exists. by Sally O’Neill T ieutenant James Grant etched Churchill Island JL/into Victorias history when his vessel, the Lady Nelson, anchored nearby in 1801. Grant declared ‘I scarcely know a place I’d rather call mine.’ He planted the first wheat in Victoria in the island’s rich soil and also built a blockhouse surrounding it with perhaps Victoria’s first European garden. Indeed the fertile soil was proven when Lieutenant Murray returned later that year. On December 8 r E 1801 he wrote ‘.. found everthing as we left it - I mean the remains of our fires and huts, the wheat and corn that Lieut. Grant has sown in April last, was in fidl vigour, 6 ft high and almost ripe. The onions also were grown into seed, the potatoes have disappeared ...I never saw finer wheat or com in my life, the straw being very nearly as large as young sugarcane. ’ After that the island lay uninhabited for nearly sixty years. THE SQUATTER AND THE FARMER Then it became home to two early pioneer settlers seeking out a living and they were the next to make their mark on the island’s landscape. Samuel Pickersgill and his family simply squatted on Churchill Island reputedly living in Grant’s blockhouse of 1801. Not heeding advice to ‘select’ Pickersgill lost the island to Cornishman John Rogers who gained the title in 1866. According to oral history reports both Pickersgill and Rogers created extensive vegetable gardens to feed their numerous children. Rogers and his wife planted pine shelter-belts as well as ‘a line of gum trees’. They also laid down shell grit pathways from local materials and remnants of these exist today. Homestead and passionfruit vines c. 1930s Phillip Island Nature Pari< Collection John Rogers was a ‘very keen gardener planting a vegetable garden as well as a flower garden and an orchard and shrubs. It is said that Baron von Mueller suggested the shrubs.’ One story says von Mueller was a great friend of the McHaffie family on Phillip Island and he called on Churchill Island regularly. Rogers mortgaged his property to McHaffie until, in 1872, it was purchased by Samuel Amess. A MAYOR’S HOLIDAY RETREAT Samuel Amess, Mayor of Melbourne in 1865, had prospered on the goldfields and in the building trade in Melbourne. He established the homestead laying out a formal garden and orchard. The homestead garden’s focal point was the Norfolk Island Pine ( Araucaria heterophylla) planted in 1872. This tree still stands and the garden retains much of its original design. Three trees in the garden are on the National Trust’s Significant Tree Register. They are the Black Mulberry ( Morns nigra), an olive (Olea europaea) and the above-mentioned Norfolk Island Pine. Churchill Island is also famous for its magnificent stands of moonahs ( Melaleuca lanceolata ) and its coastal landscapes. These formed the island’s ancient, original layer when the local Bunurong aboriginal people hunted on the mudflats. Two hundred and fifty moonahs are included on the National Trust’s significant tree register. 4 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 BECOMING A PUBLIC SPACE Between 1872 and 1974 Churchill Island was retained in single ownership as six successive owners in turn made their mark on the garden landscape. The island was then purchased by the Victorian Conservation Trust and is now managed by the Phillip Island Nature Park. Through nearly thirty years of public ownership, the garden has changed and adapted to becoming a public space while retaining many of its original features. Works include creation of a herb garden, a sunken garden for the disabled and various fringe plantings. The next challenge is to interpret the distinct contributions made to the island at different periods by its succession of owners while giving a unity and integrity to buildings and gardens... Where a property has been maintained without virtual change it is possible to present a comprehensive picture ol a period in considerable detail as is the case with the National Trust property Como in Melbourne or the Calthorpe House in Canberra. For Churchill Island the challenge is to maintain and highlight original features of different periods and to interpret them and their social context while retaining functionality and ensuring safety for the visiting public. This policy is akin to that adopted at Lanyon, in the Australian Capital Territory, ‘to respect all periods of the gardens history and to reinstate key details’. To these ends the Churchill Island planning team has established the following goals: In relation to the landscape • identification and management of significant trees • removal of inappropriate trees and plantings • maintaining and enhancing appropriate vistas • accommodating the evolution of gardens which have changed their original form and function (the Amess Homestead Garden is now a shade garden due to the mature trees) • maintenance, presentation and management of lawns and public spaces • eradication or control of pest animals, plants and diseases And in relation to the historic context of the site to • maintain and extend the strong theme of an island farm • provide an experience of a nineteenth century garden • integrate the style and scale of existing dwellings and outbuildings CHURCHILLISLAND (38° 30' 30" S and 145° 20' E) lies in Westemport Bay, approximately 150 metres to the north west of Phillip Island. About 140km from Melbourne it has an area of 57 hectares. Geologically, the island consists predominantly of olivine basalt giving rise to a good quality, well-drained soil of rich red loam. The summers are hot and dry with wet winters and rare frosts. Average rainfall is 73 cm. The vegetation is both indigenous (Moonah woodland, sheoak woodland, salt marsh, mangrove swamp) and introduced. The homestead complex and associated gardens are located on the highest part of the island OWNERS OF CHURCHILL ISLAND 1866 - 1872 John Rogers, a Cornish immigrant, built two huts, planted shelter-belts (pines and gums), vegetable and flower gardens, established an orchard and cultivated potatoes and wheat 1872 - 1929 the Amess family, originally from Scotland, built a homestead and planted the Norfolk Island Pine in front of it erected the bam, constructed the brick half-cellar, added to Rogers' cottage, grazed Highland cattle, planted the southern orchard and the citrus trees to the east grew vegetables and possibly vines. 1929 - 1938 Gerald Neville Buckley, son of Mars Buckley the founder of the Melbourne store Buckley and Nunn, developed a dairy farm with the Jeffery brothers as managers 1938 - 1963 Edward Henry Jenkins, a Melbourne dentist purchased the island as an interest for his son, Ted, who had been paralysed after an accident he continued dairying, established an Ayshire stud, maintained the orchard and vegetable garden recording progress in an indexed logbook and grew magnificent passionfruit for Jonas a well- known fruiterer in Collins Street 1963 - 1973 Margaret Craig Campbell, the nurse who had cared for Ted Jenkins from the time of his accident continued to farm, built a glass-house for orchids and a bush house which have since disappeared 1973 - 1976 Alex Classou and Nick Thyssen of Fbtra Holdings had little impact on the island 1976 - Victorian State Government for the Victorian Conservation Trust [now the Trust for Nature (Victoria)]; the island is maintained by the Phillip Island Nature Park The final challenge is to ensure the The Amess Family c. 1880s survival of the site as a historic landscape ... Phillip lsland Nature Part Collection thus it is imperative to provide for increased visitation to underwrite economic viability. In relation to increased visitor numbers the goals are the • interpretation which will provide meaningful connections for a broad range of people from around the world (a Churchill Island visit is now linked with the popular Phillip Island Penguin Parade itinerary) • provision of quality visitor facilities without intruding on the historic sites. Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 5 Homestead garden 1999 Photo: Nina Crone Ted Jenkins in his pony cart c. 1957 Phillip Island Nature Park Collection PRESENT AND FUTURE ACTION While a rural landscape dominated the island for many years, indigenous revegetation works are now transforming the northern half of the island taking it back to its pre-European form. A rabbit-prooffence divides the island and rangers have succeeded in making Churchill Island free of rabbits. The extensive revegetation includes Moonahs, Boobiallas (Myoporum insulare) and Coastal Banksias (Banksia integrifolid). In January 2000, the Phillip Island Nature Park Board of Management approved the Master Plan for Churchill Island. This plan involved significant consultation with FOCIS (Friends of Churchill Island Society, Inc.) who are interested in the historic aspect of the island, with other community groups and relevant stakeholders. It details the actions required to establish quality visitor facilities that will ensure revenue to protect and manage the island. A substantial works program includes the construction of a new bridge, the upgrading of the entrance road and car/bus parks and the restoration of the historic buildings. Most of this funding has been sourced from the Nature Park’s capital works budget supported by a Community Support Fund grant. The future of Churchill Island is as a public place where visitor facilities will allow people to enjoy discovering a significant part of Victoria’s history while appreciating the tranquillity and beauty of the natural environment. One must recognise that increased visitation to Churchill Island is necessary for its economic viability. Churchill Island has a special atmosphere and a particular ambience. These are not quantifiable nor tangible yet they are essential ingredients for a memorable visitor experience. The Master Plan aims to enhance these qualities and ensure that Churchill Island’s potential is fully realised and protected for all to enjoy. Sally O’Neill is a Project Officer with the Phillip Island Nature Park having responsibility for the Churchill Island Restoration Program. She has a background in natural and cultural interpretation and has worked on public programs, special exhibitions and visitor centre projects at Kakadu National Park. FURTHER READING Churchill Island - an historic garden conservation study (Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne) Cutter. June Churchill Island: a Special Place (South Eastern Independent Newspapers 1994) Pizzey, Graham Churchill Island (Victorian Conservation Trust 1 976) Williams, David Memories, Moonahs & Marine Marvels (Collett, Bain & Gaspars 1 999) Commemoration Celebrations at CHURCHILL ISLAND Saturday March - Sunday I st April For further information phone 03 5951 2800 6 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 OF CHURCHILL ISLAND by Rodger Elliot THE MOONAHS are distinctive trees of Churchill Island. The combination of their sculptural and often bold but somewhat informal beauty is appreciated and admired by tree-lovers from around the world. T hey are frequently taken away on film, in sketchbooks or on a painters canvas, as well as in the minds and memory of visitors to the island. Botanists classify these magnificent plants as Melaleuca lanceolata ssp. lanceolata. They are long- lived trees 6 — 12 m. in height and able to withstand salt-laden winds in extremely exposed coastal conditions that usually help to shape their appearance. These plants also tolerate the alkalinity of limestone areas and can withstand moderate to heavy frosts. They inhabit coastal and near-coastal as well as inland regions of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The Moonahs on Churchill Island have grey to blackish bark that is hard and fibrous and the branchlets are clodtcd in crowded small, dark green leaves. Their creamy white spikes can be about 5 cm. long with a honey-fragrance which entices pollinating insects and birds to partake of the nectar. The plants flower mainly in summer to early autumn, but can also produce flowers sporadically. At one time Moonahs were known as Melaleuca pubescens (and this name is still seen in some publications) but M. lanceolata has precedence because it was published in 1820 whereas M. pubescens was named in 1843. In some regions it has die common name of Black Tea-Tree, although the name of tea-tree is usually applied to Leptospermum species. There are over 200 Australian melaleucas belonging to the wide-ranging Myrtle family along with Eucalyptus , Callistemon , Acmena , Tristania and many other allied genera. Rodger Elliot is well known for his books on Australian native plants, for leading botanical tours in Australia and overseas. He is currently Chairman of Friends of Cranbourne Botanic Gardens Inc. A stand of Melaleuca lanceolata on Churchill Island Photo: Rodger Elliot Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 7 inDIVERSITY the National Conference in Bowral, November 2000 HAVING SPENT THE GREATER PART OF 1999 organising the Society’s National conference, it was with a more than usual sense of enjoyment that I travelled to Bowral. by Nicky Downer above right: The Parterre at Hopewood 1998 Charles Weyman Claremont Manor. 101 Bourke St Goulbum (02 4822 8844) Printed with the artist’s permission top: Redlands - the terraced knot garden designed by Nicholas Bray. above: The 'growing seat' at Twin Creeks A rriving at the Hall on Friday one realised why the Society’s conferences are such fun — so many old friends to greet, some names remembered, some forgotten. No surprise that the hubbub of conversation took the Conference Chair, John Stowar, a while to control. Sitting beside old friends from Sydney, I settled to discover a wealth of information about the district with David Tranter, Greg Stone and Ray Nolan. It is so useful to have the scene set for a better understanding of the region in which the conference is located. Judyth McLeod was a riveting keynote speaker, addressing issues of ecological sustainability, leaving us all with an acute sense of responsibility for the fate of the planet, which has been so shabbily treated by industrialists and populations in recent centuries. The rain poured down as we sallied forth to visit gardens. First, Redlands, the beautifully restored Paul Sorenson garden, owned by Michele Scamps. Fortunately the rain cleared enabling us to enjoy the magnificent trees and the impressive terraced knot garden, designed by Nick Bray, the local member of the Society’s National Management Committee. Then, Tintagel, the garden of Geoffrey Cousins, famous for its outdoor sculptures but also a splendid modern example of adapting a sloping site with clever use of stone walls, boulders and streams. Who will ever forget our evening cocktail party at the Bradman Museum, die enthusiasm of its curator and the stories told by Richard Mulvaney, Director of die Museum? No wonder this place, dedicated to Australia’s most distinguished cricketer, flourishes! Saturday brought visits to gardens close to Robertson. We enjoyed The Moorings and were bewitched by the beautiful rain forest and board walk at Twin Creeks. Both properties had modern gardens, flourishing in the 60inch rainfall and excellent soils. During the afternoon we had an opportunity to examine the topography and vegetation of the district as we travelled from Wollongong back to Bowral on the Cockatoo Run — an historic train trip which showed us the enormous effort of early settlers in reaching the fertile Southern Highlands area from the Coast. It was a magnificent journey revealing the forest, the Wingecarribee Swamp, the grassy woodlands and the more populated areas of Bowral and Burradoo. Magical Milton Park was the venue for the conference dinner and we spent a happy hour wandering with friends through the magnificently restored garden. The weeping beeches and variegated tulip tree were worth seeing alone. The dinner speaker, Desmond Cooper, described “What Plants do to Animals”. Space does not permit me to be more discursive, but it is quite a lot! Our final conference day began with an enchanting lecture by antique dealer John Hawkins. He spoke of the wealthier early settlers who came to the Southern Highlands and of their impact on the landscape. They were a fascinating lot as the wonderful old photographs from the Allen Collection showed. What a debt of gratitude we owe that family for recording so much of the districts history in the later nineteenth and early twentieth century. My favourite section of the entire conference followed when we heard from the ‘passionate gardeners’ of the Southern Highlands. Seven speakers, with great respect for the timekeeper’s clock, revealed and illustrated the secrets of their gardens and demonstrated the richly diverse and truly dedicated nature of gardeners in this region so blessed with excellent soil and a kinder climate than we usually see in Australia. Finally, another three garden visits: to Hopewood where house and garden are being restored on a grand scale, to Yokefleet with its immaculate ‘topiary twist’ and ‘ball border’ and to Woodgreen enhanced with the owner’s sculptures. Back home two days later, I bought bags of chicken manure and bales of pea straw in an attempt to encourage my trees to the dizzy heights of those in the Southern Highlands. What an inspiration to visit! Thanks to all those involved in making the conference a visual and intellectual success! Nicky Downer is the indefatigable and effervescent Chairman of the South Australian Branch of AGHS. She organised the 1999 Conference in Mount Gambier and is a member of the National Management Committee 8 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 Claremont is situated in Noble Street on Newtown Hill in suburban Geelong 74km south-west of Melbourne. The latitude of Geelong is 38° 13' S and longitude is 144° 19' E. The average annual rainfall for the area is 537mm with readings of 33.4mm in January and 48.8mm in June. The average temperature for January is 24.1 0 C and for June 14.6° C. Noble Street is on a ridge¬ line overlooking the Barwon River to the west. The soil is sandy loam. a ‘federation villa garden’ The garden at Claremont could be considered by Suzanne Hunt a triumph of tradition over modernisation. Meticulously maintained by members of the Gray family for a century, it has retained the design and character originally set out during the Federation period. Photographs, order books and other documents belonging to the Grays carefully record the gardens yearly management and are a valuable source of information about the plant material favoured by them. Garden structures, such as a glasshouse, shade-house, potting shed and cold frames built between 1901 and 1917 are still in use while an elaborately designed rose garden at the rear of the property is a fine example of those in vogue at that time. Tucked away in the gardeners shed are old garden tools, sprinkler fittings, terracotta pots, glass bell jars, galvanised watering cans, bulb trays and a heavy garden roller. Collectively these artefacts and the archival material available help to build up a picture of the social history of the garderi and of one The gardeti at Claremont family’s desire to retain the art of gardening’ m ^ alns the ch “ of c , , ° ° its Federation period design rcminiSCCnt or the hedemtion er cL. Photographer. Dan Magree 1996 ' EG1NNINGS: 1857-1901 Newtown Hill began to be developed during the latter part of the 1850s and because of its elevated position with views towards the Barwon River and Corio Bay, quickly became a popular residential area for Geelong’s business and professional community. The discovery of gold in Victoria during the same decade helped to boost the population and wealth of Geelong. By the 1870s services such as a reticulated water supply and gas, initiated by private enterprise, were in place. Shipping was improved when a large sandbar blocking the bay was dredged to allow easier access for large vessels entering the Port of Geelong. Thereafter the town rapidly expanded as a commercial hub for the wool and agricultural industries of Victorias Western District. By 1900 the prosperity of the town was expressed in the architecture of public and private buildings, the establishment of civic gardens, schools, the planting of street trees and the beginning of a manufacturing base. The engineer Andrew McWilliams designed the house Claremont for William Blair, a successful Geelong grocer in 1857. Situated at 143 Noble Street, Newtown it is classified B by The National Trust and has been placed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The building is described as a ‘symmetrically planned single storey Italian Renaissance revival villa, with central projecting Tuscan portico and concave roofed encircling verandah terminated on both sides by projecting wings with balustrade parapets’. A significant feature of the interior is a large centrally lit room, articulated with Corinthian pilasters and statuary niches, which stands at the end of the hallway. Blair’s occupation of the house was minimal. He had another property nearby called Hillside and Claremont was subsequently let to a variety of tenants between 1863 and 1876. An advert¬ isement in the Geelong Advertiser in 1863 mentions the garden as being ‘mostly at the front with flowers and shrubs and a kitchen garden consisting of fruit trees and vines’. The garden was again described in the press as ‘beautifully laid out, with choicest shrubs’ when it was auctioned and sold in 1876 to Charles John Dennys, the founder of Dennys Lascelles, wool merchants. A sepia photograph taken circa 1880 shows Charles Dennys standing in front of the main gates at Claremont. A carriageway sweeps around a circular bed in which a Norfolk Island Pine {Araucaria heterophylld), perhaps ten feet tall, had been planted and a pair of Lombardy Poplars {Pinus nigra ‘Italica’), that look about twenty feet tall, flank the gates. After Dennys’s death in 1889 the property was transferred to his daughters, Laura and Emmeline. In November 1900 Alexander William Gray purchased the property and moved in with his new bride in 1901. ABOVE FROM LEFT: Tucked away in the gardener's shed are the tools of yesteryear From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection Claremont in 1900. Note the balustrade, the flax plant and the growth of the Norfolk Island Pine From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection Alexander William Gray in the 1940s From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection OPPOSITE PAGE FROM LEFT: c. 1880 C.J.Dennys in front of the gates of Claremont. Note the very young Norfolk Island Pine and the two poplars From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection c. 1920 The same central gates viewed from the house. Note the poplars. From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection c. 1940 View from house showing new pedestrian gate and, to the right, the re-positioned vehicle entrance From the Cathenne Gray Photographic Collection c. 1999 Note the size of the Norfolk Island Pine, the privet hedge, the paling fence and the Claret Ash. From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection 10 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 THE GRAY FAMILY AT CLAREMONT lexander William Gray, always referred to as A.W.Gray so as not to confuse him with his father Alexander Gray, was born in Geelong and later became die director and owner of the Albion Woollen Mill established by his father in 1869. Housekeeping notes for Claremont, dated from September 1901 to April 1902 record that four people lived there — A.W.Gray, his wife Harriet, a cook and a parlour maid. Foodstuffs such as bread, meat, fish and milk were purchased from shops nearby and vegetables were obtained from a ‘chinaman’ who called three or four times a week in a horse and cart. Images depicting the front area of the house show the types of plants already established when A.W.Gray and his wife took up residence. Giant blue delphiniums were mass-planted in a bed on the eastern side of the house. Fan Palms, flax and other shrubs fill the space to the left of the entrance. Although professional gardeners have always been employed at Claremont, Catherine Gray refers to her grandfather as a ‘hands on gardener’. It was during his time that the design of the garden was laid out and many of the garden structures were completed. THE GARDEN STRUCTURES A.W.Gray may have been a busy woollen manufacturer but he still found time to garden and to enjoy hobbies that included keeping pigeons and other birds. Sadly, an aviary made of wooden slats constructed on the western boundary in 1914 is no longer in existence. Remnants of this once impressive structure can be found attached to the dividing fence. Two wooden pergolas, built in the same period, originally faced each other on cither side of the house and would have naturally led the eye and the wanderer to the aviary. The pergola on the eastern side was removed in the early 1960s. making the garden alexander william gray 1901-1954 By 1910 the first section of the glasshouse had been erected and the rose garden established. A potting shed, gardeners shed and cold frames were added in 1917. In 1924 the stables were enlarged to accom¬ modate motor vehicles, a stone wall was made on the western side of the house and a bush-house was built. A bird bath was placed in the western garden in 1927. A.W.Gray’s son, A. Austin Gray, a keen steam train model engineer, set up a model railway along the western boundary in 1925 and a smithy was built the following year. A CHANGING STREETSCAPE Personal recollections, written accounts and visual images are valuable sources of material that enables us to observe changes to the garden and streetscape over the past 100 years. For instance a picture of the front gates in the 1920s taken from the house fearures the Lombardy poplars and reveals a line of young elm trees, planted on the nature strip, just beginning to appear above the fence line. In 1928 the front gates were reported to be in such poor condition, ‘held together by paint, that it was decided to replace them and the picket fence with a new paling fence and privet hedge. Iron gates were installed on the eastern side and a small entrance gate in the centre. This dramatically altered the perspective of the house from the street and the flow of traffic to the house. An article by J.H.Bottrell in the Geelong Advertiser reviewing the suburb of Newtown in the 1930s describes the poplars as ‘ancient and stately. In the 1950s another image reveals that the poplars have been removed and the elms are quite mature. Catherine Gray recalls how upset her mother was when the council decided to cut down these elm trees during the 1970s. Her distress is understandable as they would have provided valuable shade and privacy and acted as a soft and attractive ‘green’ screen in front of the fence and the house. Today Claret Ash trees have been planted on die nature strip. PLANTING A. W. Gray had a passion for flowers — masses of them! ‘Ribbon planting’, popular during the late Victorian and Federation period was the style he adopted for the garden beds at the front of the property. Photographs taken from the 1920s onwards clearly illustrate the variety of die brilliandy coloured blooms he preferred. So proud was he of the results of his labour that on two occasions a professional photographer was hired to record the garden in spring. Some of these images were framed and still hang on die walls of the house. In the glasshouse he tended begonias, and Maidenhair Ferns. He also had a collection of Slipper Orchids and cymbidiums and it is thought that his friendship with Bruce Hogg, an authority on orchids and the author of Orchids for Everybody: A Handbook on Culture, may have contributed to his enthusiasm for these plants. Exhibiting and growing roses was another hobby in which he excelled. The Geelong Horticultural Association offered an annual ‘Rose Challenge Cup’. In 1914 A. W. Gray was president of die Association and a winning competitor with his champion rose ‘Mrs Foley Hobbs’, a recendy introduced ivory- white Tea Rose. The Associations show attracted rose breeders of the calibre of Samuel E.Brundett who scooped the pool in 1909, 1910 and 1912. To win against such prestigious rose-breeders indicates the skill of AAV. Gray in this field. It is also interesting to note the level of popularity at that time of gardening in Geelong. In 1932 the Geelong Advertiser, in a leading article headed ‘Apathetic Flower Growers’, lamented the lack of support by garden-lovers for the Association’s show. It reminded them that ‘In former days before the war, when the old organisation was in full swing, there were often as many as three to four hundred entries. Compared with that, there are today practically none at all. The proper spirit that was once in evidence, is now lacking.’ Faced with this crisis, Geelong garden- lovers rallied to the call and the number of entries climbed to two hundred and fifty. GARDENER AND NURSERYMAN: CYRIL COOKE One of the gardeners who worked at Claremont until 1915 was Cyril Cooke. As a professional gardener, he was expected to be proficient in horticultural skills including grafting, pruning, propagation, growing from seed, garden layout and maintenance. During his employment he constructed the glasshouse and was probably instrumental in the early development of the garden. Cooke learnt his craft in the nursery trade and later opened his own nursery in Newtown. In his history of gardening in Geelong, George Jones writes that by 1934 the nursery site covered twelve acres and employed nineteen staff. Cyril Cooke raised many of the seedlings that he sold in his florist shop as well as the cut flowers and the packets of seeds he marketed under his own name. Other famous nurseries in the area were Stinton’s at Newtown and the Kardinia Nursery at Highton. It is reasonable to assume that most of the plants used at Claremont could have been sourced from these local nurseries. An examination of the order books belonging to A.W.Gray’s son, A.Austin Gray, reveals that plants continued to be ordered from these nurseries until the 1970s. 12 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 DESIGN AND LAYOUT The design of the garden created by A.W.Gray is a combination of the geometric and natural styles which were popular during the Federation period. Specific features of the geometric or formal style are evident in the linear pathways and rectangular and circular beds. The garden is divided into distinct ‘garden rooms’ delineated by boundary walls and fences. For example, a small area with curved paths was created in the north-eastern corner of the property while a bird-bath surrounded by garden beds adds another area of interest in the north¬ western corner. Movement around the garden is cleverly restricted and can only be achieved by passing through a series of gates or openings making it difficult to Other devices contributing to this style include wooden fences, stone walls and pergolas. To the rear of the property service areas have been developed relating to the domestic life of the family and to garden maintenance such as a vegetable garden and compost bins. A ‘wild’ garden was created on the western side next to the glasshouse. A circular driveway sweeps around a raised lawn in which a Norfolk Pine towers over the property and the Victorian facade of the house. A relic of former ownership at Claremont, it nevertheless harmonises with the rest of the design and layout. The rose garden, designed for easy access, incorporates paths separating a main circular bed enclosed by four rectangular beds. Notable planting features at Claremont include massed colourful flower beds, trimmed edges and borders, specimen trees and shrubs, small appreciate ‘the whole’. orchard and lawn areas. . (v \ 1 [|oo f - r ; 1 ~ -v ,/ / 06 J l 01 --' V *' J ‘L.y /7-7'~^r — -C: - -Cry/ 1 above: o um f h _V | c. 1912' -1920 View towards the Glass-^Hodse showing pergolas and profu'sion of .flowers ; Fropn tiw Catherine Gray 1 Photographic CoHoctiin 7 ; 1 OPPOSITE PAGE FROM LEFT: The Glass-House : 1 From the Catherine t^ray Photographic Collection Interior of the Glass-House with Slipper Orchids Fnirp the La. Trobe Library Garden Archive Ian Hill H9?,216/8 LTA1979 r I \8t/ ^ Laundry, cold frames, potting shed and linear paths Frorri the U Trobe Library Garden''Archive lari Hill H9.9.2I6/8 LTAI979 , -4- y — s 'i (Y o fl XU IT fhwgr i bulb bed N; U/lfeZ V f toOntain T8 , l ® C *) i ^ if ^^ _ & a&dGsta! Noble Street Mont Street N O 2 + t ft IO 20 H + Mont Street claremont plant list complied by J( 1 Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine) 2 Ligustrum vulgane (Privet) hedge 3 Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill) 4 Nandina domestica 'Nana' (Dwarf Sacred Bamboo) 5 Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) 6 Rosa cv. (red carpet rose) 7 Oenothera rosea (Pink Evening Primrose) 8 Lapeirousia laxa (Scarlet Freesia) 9 Convolvulus sabatius 10 Rhaphiolepsis delacourii (Pink Indian Hawthorn) 11 Bergenia cordifolia 12 Convolvulus cneorum (Silverbush) x3 13 Lavandula dentata (French Lavender) x3 14 Jacaranda mimosifolia (Jacaranda) 15 Hemerocallis flava (Daylily) 16 Luculia gratissima (Pink Swa) 17 Prunus ’Sekiyama' (Japanese Flowering Cherry) 18 Nenum oleander (Oleander) 19 Michelia doltsopa 20 Lagerstroemia indica (Crepe Myrtle) 21 Abelia x grandiflora (Glossy Abelia) 22 Hibiscus synacus (Rose of Sharon) 23 Lagerstroemia indica [new] (Crepe Myrtle) 24 Lavatera 'Barnsley' 25 Nerium oleander (Oleander) 26 Philadelphus coronarius (Mock Orange) 27 Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess' 28 Buxus sempen/irens 'Suffruticosa' x2 in pots 29 Hydrangea cv. 30 Liquidambar styraciflua (Liquidamber) 31 Mackaya bella (Natal Glory Bush) 32 Cytisus monspessulanus (Cape Broom) 33 Crataegus pubescens f. stipulacea (Mexican Hawthorn) 34 Camellia 'Margaret Waterhouse' 35 Rhododendron cv. (white azalea) x6 36 Chaenomeles speciosa (Flowering Quince) 37 Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia) 38 Nerium oleander (Oleander) 39 Hibiscus synacus (Rose of Sharon) 40 Malus cv. 41 Sambucus nigra (Elderberry) 42 Metrosideros excelsa (New Zealand Christmas Tree) 43 Prunus cerasifera (Cherry Plum) 44 Jasminum mesnyi (Primrose Jasmine) x3 45 Crataegus phaenopyrum (Washington Hawthorn) 46 Luculia gratissima 'Pink Cloud' [new] 47 Aucuba japomca 'Variegata' (Variegated Japanese Laurel) 48 Prunus 'Sekiyama' (Japanese Flowering Cherry) 49 Acmena smrthii (Lilly Pilly) 50 Crataegus pubescens f. stipulacea (Mexican Hawthorn) 51 Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea' (Bronze-leaved Cherry Plum) 52 Syringa vulgans (Lilac) 53 Prunus 'Pbllardii' 54 Camellia japonica cv. 55 Crataegus phaenopyrum (Washington Hawthorn) 56 Philadelphus sp. (Mock Orange) 57 Gardenia thunbergia (Thunberg Gardenia) 58 Crocosmia x crosmiiflora (Montbretia) 59 Syringa vulgaris (Lilac) 60 Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia) 61 Camellia japonica cv. 62 Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree) 63 Choisya temata (Mexican Orange) 64 Hydrangea cv. x6 65 Pittosporum undulatum (Sweet Pittosporum) 66 Malus x purpurea (Purple Crabapple) 67 Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' (Snowball Tree) 68 Liquidambar styraciflua (Liquidamber), pi. c 1959 hn Hawker 25 may & 69 Parthenocissus tiicuspidata (Boston Ivy) 70 Rosa 'Carabella' x 2 (1960, Aust.) 71 Rosa 'Lorraine Lee' (1924, Aust) x4 72 Buxus sempervirens (English Box) x2 in pot 73 Ilex aquifolium (English Holly) clipped 74 Becgenia cordifolia 75 Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' (Snowball Tree) 76 Cedrela sinensis (Chinese Cigar-box Cedar) 77 Vitis amurensis (Amur Grape) 78 Paeonia lactiflora cv. (Chinese Peony) x3 79 Argyranthemum frutescens (Marguerite Daisy) 80 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus) 81 Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel) 82 Malus 'Gorgeous' 83 Chaenomeles speciosa (Flowering Quince) x2 84 Prunus 'Sekiyama' (|apanese Flowering Cherry) 85 Callistemon 'Harkness' 86 Syringa vulgaris (Lilac) 87 Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon) 88 Viburnum x burkwoodii 89 Hymenosporum flavum (Native Frangipani) 90 Kolkwitzia amabilis (Chinese Beauty Bush) 91 Camellia japonica cv. 92 Rhododendron cv. (azalea) 93 Rosa cv. 94 Wistena sinensis 'Alba' (White Chinese Wisteria) 95 Prunus persica cv. (Flowering Peach) 96 Nerium oleander (Oleander) 97 Cencis siliquastrum fludas Tree) 98 Daphne odora (Winter Daphne) x2 99 Nerium oleander (Oleander) 100 Hohena populneas 'Albavariegata' (Variegated Lacebark) 101 Fraxinus excelsior 'Aurea' (Golden Ash) 102 Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon) 103 Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (Golden Californian Privet) 104 Waterhousea floribunda (Weeping Lilly Pilly) 105 Quercus robur (English Oak) 106 Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (Golden Californian Privet), x2 clipped 107 Camellia japonica cv. x4 108 Prunus'Elvins'x3 109 Cotoneaster glaucophyllus f. serotinus (Late Cotoneaster) 110 Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat) 111 Cotoneaster pannosus (Wrinkled-leaved Cotoneaster) 112 Euryops frutescens (Grey-leaved Euryops) 113 Coprosma repens (Mirror Bush) 114 Lonicera fragrantissima (Winter Honeysuckle) 115 Impatiens oliveri (Touch-me-not) 116 Lonicera japonica (japanese Honeysuckle) 117 Cedrela sinensis (Chinese Cigar-box Cedar) 118 Malus 'Gorgeous' 119 Michelia (igo (Port Wine Magnolia) x2 120 Rosa cv. 121 Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (Golden Californian Privet), x2 clipped 122 Mackaya bella (Natal Glory Bush) 123 Phyllostachys aurea (Fishpole Bamboo) x2 124 Acacia baileyana (Cootamundra Wattle) 125 Syringa vulgaris (Lilac) 126 Rhododendron 'President Roosevelt’ 127 Camellia sp. 128 Prunus cerasifera (Cherry Plum) 129 Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon) 130 Rhododendron cv. 131 Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' (Golden Robinia) 132 Camellia japonica cv. 133 Rhododendron 'Ponticum' 134 Rhododendron cv. 6 november 2000 135 Rhododendron 'Lucidium' 136 Rhododendron'White Peari' 137 Camellia japonica cv. x2 138 Forsythia vindissima 139 Pittosporum undulatum (Sweet Pittosporum) x2 140 Crataegus crus-galli 141 Cupressus torulosa (Bhutan Cypress) 142 Euonymus japonica (Japanese Spindle Tree) 143 Euonymus europaea (European Spindle Tree) 144 Viburnum caricephalum 145 Rhaphiolepsis delacourii (Pink Indian Hawthorn) 146 Acmena smithii (Lilly Pilly) 147 Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) 148 Kolkwitzia amabilis (Chinese Beauty Bush) 149 Cedrus atlantica f. glauca (Blue Atlas Cedar) 150 Hibiscus synacus (Rose of Sharon) 151 Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) 152 Magnolia grandiflora (5outhem Magnolia) 153 Ligustnjm vulgare (Privet) 154 Citrus limon cv. (Lemon) 155 Wisteria sinensis 'Alba' (White Chinese Wisteria) 156 Rosa'Pinkie' (1952, USA) x2 157 Prunus 'Sekiyama* (Japanese Flowering Cherry) 158 Dahlia imperials (Tree Dahlia) 159 Nenum oleander (Oleander) 160 Ceanothus papillosus var. roweanus 161 Camellia 'Hiryu' 162 Sollya heterophylla 'Alba' 163 Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur Hawthorn) 164 Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig) 165 Hedera helix (Ivy) 166 Agonis flexuosa (Weeping Myrtle) 167 Fortunella japonica (Cumquat) 168 Prunus persica cv. (Flowering Peach) 169 Rosa 'Lorraine Lee' (1924, Aust) x 12 170 Hedera helix 'Vanegata' (Variegated Ivy) 171 Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy) 172 Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) 173 Bergenia cordifolia 174 Pandorea pandorana (Wonga Vine) x2 175 Abelia x grandiflora 'Francis Mason' x2 176 Coprosma repens (Mirror Bush) 177 Pittosporum undulatum (Sweet Pittosporum) 178 Malus 'Rome Beauty' 179 Pyrus 'Packham’s Triumph' 180 Prunus 'Coe's Golden Drop' 181 Prunus cv. (apricot) 182 Prunus 'Moorpark' 183 Prunus 'Santa Rosa' 184 Prunus 'Red Cherry' 185 Ficus carica (Fig) 186 Schinus molle (Pepper Tree) 187 Schinus molle (Pepper Tree) 188 Rosa cv. x5 189 Pittosporum eugenioides (Lemonwood) 190 Pittosporum undulatum (Sweet Pittosporum) 191 Arbutus unedo (Irish Strawberry Tree) 192 Plectranthus ecklonii (Cockspur Flower) 193 Hydrangea cv. 194 Fuchsia cv. 195 Rosa cv. 196 Malus x purpurea (Purple Crabapple) 197 Choisya temata (Mexican Orange) 198 Hydrangea cv. 199 Syzygium paniculatum (Brush Cherry) 200 Betula pendula (Silver Birch) 201 Cupressus torulosa (Bhutan Cypress) row x7 202 Vitis ‘Waltham Cross' 203 Wisteria sinensis 'Alba' (White Chinese Wisteria) 204 Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria) 205 Quercus cananensis (Algerian Oak) 206 Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 15 ABOVE FROM LEFT: c. 1940s massed plantings in circular beds Hand-tinted photograph from the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection Pots in the cold-frame 2000 From the La Trobe Library Garden Archive Ian Hill H99.2I6/8 LTAI979 The garden at Claremont maintains the character of its Federation period design Photographer Dan Magree 1996 c. 1940s Small, eastern garden with decorative pedestal and ball Hand-tinted photograph From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection THE BERRY GARDEN Boysen berry Loganberry Youngberry ROSE GARDEN BED A Allen Brundrett (1994, Aust.) Blue Moon (1964, Germany) Burnaby (1954, Canada) Elizabeth Arden (missing) (1929, UK) Ena Harkness (1946, UK) First Love (1951, USA) Forty-Niner (1952, USA) Grand’Mcrrc Jenny (1950, France) Gold Bunny (1978, France) Helen Traubel (1951, USA) John S. Armstrong (1961, USA) Mahagona Mischief (1961, UK) Mme A. McilUnd (1945, France) 16 Australian Garden History Voi, 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 SCf D fvl/eAe/ra ■ Ct'k... \e..!, <".*(,■- Fi.~t.~i a.. j 0«>rr» wUt ] Chi *,« Grant A».» Af«n»rr Orient.* CJtta/ane. St.nt.n. Pe.jr.bm Urren Btjmuer - itet.n i'.OX MW , Camf Blut M"> - Ar.Um.ht Slut Saflt llt.tr. (tin IU /f.-f Stdjlnf Btfta,*, - k'lfM* Mur,...- F.jJttJ C..J. ,) tnJin ■ White Carted fiod.hh ■ Starlet Gtn Fed Bet/ - Claremont /tl'i trmd Be.* ■ U.Ur Pe ifwatjme Seair. firm h * Heminle Amt I Drr.l Bn I Sean. Clmjief- Pair,nr , CahL.jt - GefJrn ffrrt ■ tnj.rU Ma.f , Cehn^tn I Mme Georges Dclbard (1980, France) Mrs Sam McCredy (1929, UK) My Choice (1958, UK) Picture (1932, UK) PinkParfaii (1960, USA) President Herbert Hoover (1930, USA) Rouge Mcilland (1984, France) Super Star (1960, Germany) Sutters Gold x2 1950, USA) The Doctor (1936, USA) Traviata Tzigane (1951, France) Virgo (1947, France) unknown (pink & red veins) BED B Apricot Nectar (1965, USA) Camclot (1964, USA) Christopher Stone Comtessc Vandal (1932, Netherlands) Crimson Glory (1935, Germany) Dame Edith Helen (1926, UK) Elizabeth Arden (1929, UK) Golden Dawn ( 1 929, Aust.) Hawaii (1960, USA) Josephine Bruce (1949, UK) Kordcs Perfect.! (1957, Germany) Lady X (1965, France) Mount Shasta (1963, USA) Papa Mcilland (1963, France) Peace (1945, France) Pink Parfait ( 1960, USA) President Herbert Hoover (1930, USA) Queen Elizabeth (1954, USA) Royal Highness (1962 Shot Silk (1924, UK) Summer Fragrance (1985, Germany) Western Sun Yesteryear (1994, UK) BED C Alexander (1927, UK) American Heritage (1965, USA) Anvil Sparks (1961, Germany) Aztec (1957. USA) Camp David (1981, Germany) Comtesse Vandal (1932, Netherlands) Daily Sketch (1961, Germany) Delorc (1981, Germany) Double Delight (1977, USA) Duftwolke (1963, Germany) Elina (1983, UK) Ena Harkness (1946, UK) Golden Friendship (1991, UK) Hawaii (1960, USA) Hot Lips (1983, UK) Isabel Harkness John S. Armstrong (missing) (1961, USA) John F. Kennedy (1965, USA) Just Joey (1972, UK) Kroncnbourg (missing) (1966, UK) Montezuma (1955, USA) Mrs Sam McCredy (1929, UK) Peace (1945, France) President Lincoln Quebec (1943, France) Red Devil (1964, UK) Remember Me (1984, UK) Sir Winston Churchill (1955, UK) Sunset Song (1981, UK) Super Star (1960, Germany) Tassin (1942, France) Texas Centennial (1935, USA) Vol de Nuit (1970, France) BED D Marjorie Atherton (1977, Aust.) Ballet (1958, Germany) Black Beauty (1973, France) Bronze Masterpiece (I960, USA) Buccaneer (1952, USA) Chicago Peace (1962, USA) Chris Mclleman Christain Dior (1958, France) Copper Gem (1984, UK) Dame Edith Helen (1926, UK) Duet x2 (1960, USA) Elina (1982, UK) Hawaii (1960, USA) Helen Traubcl (missing) (1951, USA) Joyfulness (1961, Germany) Lilac Time (1956, UK) Marjorie Arherton (1977, Aust.) Matterhorn (1965, USA) Monica (1985, Germany) Montezuma (1955, USA) My Choice (1958, UK) Olympic Torch (1966, Japan) Papa Meilland x2 (1963, France) Picture (1932, UK) Pink Peace (1959, France) Queen of Roses = Colour Wonder (1964, Germany) Red Gold Rouge Mcilland (1984, France) Royal Highness (1962, USA) Twilight Mist x2 (1993, Japan) Virgo (1947, France) William Harvey BED E Big Chief (1975, UK) Bettina (1953, France) Chicago Peace (1962, USA) Christian Dior (1958, France) Garden Party x2 (1959, USA) Grandpa Dickson (1966. UK) Helen Traubcl (1951, USA) Josephine Bruce (1949, UK) Kordcs Perfccta (1957, Germany) Lilac Time (1956, UK) Michdc Meilland (1945, France) Queen Elizabeth (1954, USA) Royal Highness (1962, USA) Rod Stillman (1948, Aust.) Speks Yellow x3 (1950, Holland) Sr. H. Sclgrave (missing) Sundowner (1978, NZ) Climbing Roses Rosa banksiae ‘Alba Plena’ (1807, China) Blackboy (1916, Aust) Pauls Scarlet x2 (1916, UK) Peace (1951, France) BED F Dearest (1960, UK) x2 Iceberg (1958, Germany) x2 Kolker Karneva Pink Iceberg (1997, Aust) Virgo (1947, France) (& 3 unknown roses) BEDG English Garden (1986, UK) Iceberg (1958, Germany) Glacier Pink Iceberg (1997, Aust) (& 10 unknown roses) Standard Roses T Tatjana (1970, Germany) GT Golden Touch (1997, Germany) YS Youki San (1965, France) JJ Just Joey (1972, UK) S Seduction (1988, France) Climbing Roses A Altissimo x2 (1966, France) L Lamarque (1830, France) SY Speks Yellow (1956, USA) BT Blossomtimc (1951, USA) GS Golden Showers (1956, USA) B Benvenuto (1967, France) Bulbs and Perennials Agapanthus praecox cv. Ajuga reptans Alstroemcria ligtu hybrids Alyssum cv. Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) Amaryllis belladona (Bclladona Lily) Anemone x hybrida (Japanese Windflower) Anthemis sp. Arum italicum Aster novac-bclgii (Easter Daisy) Brachyscomc multifida Campanula isophylla Campanula poscharskyana (Serbian Bell Flower) Canna cv. Cheiranthus x kewensis Chrysanthemum maximum (Shasta Daisy) Dahlia cv. Delphinium cv. Freesia cv. Gerbera cv. Helleborus orientalis (Winter Rose) Hippeastrum cv. Hosta spp. Iris sp. Iris x gcrnianica (Flag Iris) Iris unguicularis (Winter Iris) Lamium maculatum cv. Leucojum acstivum (Snowflake) Lilium cv. Lupinus cv. (Russell Lupin) Muscari armcniacum (Grape Hyacinth) Narcissus jonquilla cv. (Jonquil) Pelargonium cv Pcnstemon cv Scabiosa caucasica Tritonia cocata Vallota speciosa (Scarborough Lily) Viola odorata (Violet) Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 17 maintaining the garden r Austin Gray, his wife and two children, Alexander and Catherine, moved back into the family home in 1958. Austin Gray eventually sold the Albion Mill in 1964 but continued to keep an office there for many years. He was well known in Geelong and served on various town committees. His interests included support of The National Trust and the Geelong Art Gallery. His main hobby, apart from gardening, was designing and building models. Although he never gardened himself he devised a system of management that enabled him to continue to maintain the garden in a similar manner to his father. Meticulously kept order books and plant diaries begun soon after his fathers death in 1954 record the exact number and type of plant or bulb ordered, when it was to be planted and where it was to be located in the garden. From the large number of plants ordered in the first years of his stewardship it could be assumed that the garden must have become depleted during the final years of A.W.Gray’s life. Catherine Gray remembers a Dutch gardener employed by her father. Jacobus Hendericus Opdam (Jack) wore clogs as he worked and because of his influence and cultural background the planting of spring bulbs became quite a passion at Claremont. In 1955 for example twenty-seven varieties of narcissi and daffodils were ordered as well as tulips, cannas, delphiniums, Genistafragrans, carnations and twenty different types of rock plants. Added to this list were syringas, hellebores, lupins, peonies, daisies, boronia and lavender. The following year the rose garden seems to have been refurbished with Hybrid Tea Roses such as ‘Christopher Stone’, ‘Comtesse Vandal’, ‘Crimson Glory’, ‘Elizabeth Arden’ and ‘Daily Mail’. New fruit trees planted in the small orchard were a peach (‘Elberta’), pears (‘Packham’s Triumph’ and ‘Winter Cole’), plums (‘Coes Golden Drop’, ‘Red Cherry’ and ‘Santa Rosa’), an apricot (‘Moorpark’) and two apples (‘Rome Beauty’ and ‘London Pippin’). alexander austin gray 1955-1970 Broad and French beans, Red Beet, Brussels Sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, leeks and lettuce were just some of the vegetables grown in the large beds at the rear of the property. Although the lawn on either side of the house was extended when four circular beds were removed during the 1960s the fashion for patios and outdoor entertaining areas was never implemented at Claremont. Austin Gray did design a model for a crazy paved rockery along the front fence but no reconstruction of the site was undertaken. In addition to the nurseries already mentioned, seed was obtained from Sutton and Sons Ltd, in England. And a considerable number of nurserymen and nurseries were also consulted, for instance The Holland Bulb Company of Australia, Errey Brothers, V.J.Boulter in Geelong, Castle Hill Nursery in New South Wales, Brighton Nurseries in South Australia and Law Somner among many others. iPktl SEED Iche/ta • ti** C/,1, ran Jmj>t**ed Early Winter-f/oarerm^ Sniret" fira* Ourf)tt’a White Chine Gtant Hot* Manner Oriental Supreme Orange Vvlcan Ca/eeoJana, Stinton, Perjeitien TobetoJi Beg on/a* - S/m/mt DouAA pitted IV. Pergola CQ U c /p\ C 4 0 a —-- the ladies’ contribution r/7 y/Mtcr her husband’s death Mrs Austin Gray / continued to manage die property until her own deatli in 1994. Her daughter Catherine has since taken up the challenge and, guided by her fathers success, follows the management plan established by him. She takes her custodianship seriously and is passionate about preserving the house and garden. Catherine is also a keen animal lover — especially of her two cats. The garden has been opened for The Australian Open Garden Scheme and the proceeds raised were used to support local charities. The current gardener, Roger Cleary, has worked for the family for over twenty years. Just like the gardeners who preceded him he seems quite content to follow the cyclical patterns of planting out bulbs left to dry on wire racks during the winter, or to re-pot the Slipper Orchids in the glasshouse. Apart from the types of pesticides now used and the compost for mulching, he does not recall many dramatic changes to his routine. Roger and Catherine discuss at length their colour preferences for the beds to be filled with annuals and bulbs. These are still ‘ribbon’ planted each year in over twenty beds around the house and when it is considered that there are two planting sessions each year this is quite an undertaking! In September 1999 a predominantly blue, white and yellow display of tulips, pansies, ranunculus, starflowers, hyacinths, violas, lobelia, nemesia, cinerarias, wallflowers, pinks, polyanthus, iris, daffodils, daisies, anemones, snapdragons, and Iceland Poppies were cultivated. For March 2000, the colour scheme was expanded to embrace dramatic shades of red and include annuals like petunias, dahlias, Dwarf Phlox, bergenia, impatiens, marigolds, verbena and zinnias. mrs austin gray and Catherine gray 1979-2001 Noble Street This year, as Australians celebrate a century of Federation, Catherine has chosen to mark her family’s own centenary with a regal display of blooms in shades of burgundy and cream — certainly appropriate for a garden with a history like this one. It is a wonderful experience to walk around Claremont, to savour the imprint of three generations of garden lovers on this garden. Catherine Gray is keen to continue maintaining the integrity of the garden and has sought assistance and advice from The National Trust and The Australian Garden History Society. With their support and her continuing management it is hoped that the garden will survive for future generations to enjoy. Claremont is an important and rare example of an extant suburban villa garden of the Federation era and is one of Geelong’s hidden treasures. ABOVE FROM LEFT: Austin Gray's record of orders for seed c. 1956 From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection One of Austin Gray's hand-made plant labels dating from c. 1960 Austin Gray's plan of the front garden at Claremont c. 1955 From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection OPPOSITE PAGE FROM LEFT: c. 1912 1920 Massed flower bedding in the front garden From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection Austin Gray c. 1960 From the Catherine Gray Photographic Collection The Wild Garden From the La Trobe Library Garden Archive Ian Hill H99.216/8 LTAI979 Catherine Gray 2000 From the Cathenne Gray Photographic Collection Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 ABOVE FROM LEFT: One of Austin Gray's hand-made plant labels dating from c. 1960 Claremont’s current gardener, Roger Cleary, at the cold-frame 2000 From the La Trobe Library Garden Archive Ian Hill H99.2I6/8 LTAI979 The Vegetable Garden 1999 From the La Trobe Library Garden Archive Ian Hill H99,216/8 LTAI979 centre: The Glass-House From the La Trobe Library Garden Archive Ian Hill H99.216/8 LTAI979 REFERENCES Alsop. Peter F.B. 'Claremont - 143 Noble Street, Newtown' Investigator 1997. Geelong Histoncal Records Centre. Geelong Bottrell, J.H. ‘Geelong Reminiscences' The Geelong Advertiser. 28 1 ^ March 1930 Brownhill, WR History of Geelong and Coho Bay 1990 (First Edition 1955) Geelong Advertiser. Melbourne Fraser, H. and joyce, R The Federation House: Australia's Own Style. 1986 Lansdowne Press. Sydney. Pp.68-86 Houghton, N. The Story of Geelong 1800- 1988. Published by the Geelong Historical Records Centre 1988 Geelong Jones, George Growing together a garden history of Geelong - extending to Colac and Camperdown. 1984 Geelong Advertiser 11^ May, 1963 and 16^ February 1974 Report and Statement of Significance - The Historic Building Council 1995 Wolstenholme, Derek ‘Claremont, 143 Noble Street Newtown. Deakin University Faculty of Design and Technology Research Paper, 1991 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Text Plant List Survey Plan Detailed Plan Photographs Suzanne Hunt John Hawker Rodney Martin & Associates Elizabeth Peck Landscape Design Cathenne Gray Photographic Collection The La Trobe Library Garden Archive Collection We sincerely thank Cathenne Gray for the enormous contribution she has made to this report Not only did she provide valuable archival photographs and other records but she gave much time to researchers, graciously allowing them to spend many hours in her garden and always encouraging them in their endeavours. Claremont will be included in Australia’s Open Garden Scheme 2001/2002 Guidebook Suzanne Hunt is a social historian currently researching the histonography of gardens and the garden movement in Victoria. A member of the Victorian Branch Committee of the Australian Garden History Society she initiated the garden history archive with the State Library of Victoria. John Hawker is the horticultunst with Heritage Victona identifying significant trees, plants and gardens throughout Victoria For ten years he served on the Victonan Branch Committee where his expertise was greatly valued. The Victonan Branch of the Australian Garden History Society has funded this article. The Society was formed in 1980 to bnng together those with an interest in the vahous aspects of garden history and to promote research into histone gardens and commitment to their preservation. For further information contact The Australian Garden History Society, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria 3141. Phone 03 9650 5043 Toll free 1800 678 446 ISBN number 0 9586356 4 I 20 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 The wind andrain converge, PORT CAMPBELL & OTWAY RANGES SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2000 by Frank Page JUST HOW INTREPID DO YOU THINK 34 AGHS MEMBERS CAN BE? Try a weekend at mainland Australia’s second most southern point, Cape Otway in south-western Victoria, with violent windstorms of 100 plus km/h whipping up gales. But I am getting ahead of myself. Enveloping whoffg with coolembrace. Leewing no panel of wood, No tdade of grass or strandof hair untouched. But without the rain, this enigmatic landwouldcease to he, Andt andothers wouldhe denied the heautg, The mgs terthat she harbours in secret places. - Claire Whinney 1993 printed with the authors permission Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 21 top: Emerging fern fronds .., a sign of spring in the Otways Photo: Sue Keon-Cohen above: Bill McKellar and Sophie Ducker L eading their ninth botanical tour for the Australian Garden History Society Rodger and Gwen Elliot proved yet again that knowledge and charm make for a special weekend. Friday and the first stop was Irrewarra, out of Colac to visit John and Bronwynne Calvert. John’s great-great-great grandfather settled this district in the 1840s. Today stables and coach house, built in 1886, are all that remain of a homestead the ilk of Werribee Park. Demolished for building materials during the war, one can still see the foundations of the house and ‘the bones’ of the original garden. Bronwynne Calvert’s passion for the past and her patient probing found the original ironstone driveway, now resurfaced, describing a graceful sweep through an abundance of European, Australian and tropical trees. A path from a rose garden was also found. Flowers of bulbs suggested an earlier time of seasonal order, now all but lost under windswept grass and weeds. At Kangaroobie, our bunk-house style host farm, we had our premiere promenade botanique through adjacent bush quickly finding Prickly Moses ( Acacia verticillatd) , the Love Creeper and the first of many orchids. Close to Princetown and the tip of Cape Otway this 2000 acre grazing property abounds with pockets of natural bush. Not even television signals penetrate this remote extremity of the continent. A gale howled outside as we sat around the ‘wireless’ listening to the Closing Ceremony of the 27™ Olympiad! Daily excursions began by driving through neighbouring wetland and observing its abundant bird-life. The highlight was the flight of the Marsh Harriers ( Circus aeruginosas) always in search of their prey, graceful and untroubled by our bus. Saturday was for rain forests - mighty, beautiful and full of interest. Formed 150 million years ago when the Gondwana landmass broke up, the Otways were abundant with ferns, mosses and liverworts. Although aboriginal communities had long hunted and lived off the coastal woodlands the steep slopes and tall forests proved impenetrable to European settlement until the 1870s. Extensive land-clearing followed but much forest still remains. At Melba Gully the rainforest engulfed us. We walked through stands of the common local Blackwood Wattle {Acacia melanoxylon), Myrtle Beech {Nothofagus cunninghamii) and ferns - rough {Cyathea australis) and soft (Dicksonia antarcticd). Rodger explained the aboriginal use of plants like the Austral Mulberry ( Hedycarya angustifolid) used for fire-sticks, or the Satinwood {Phebalium squameum ssp. squameum ) honed for spears. Steep steps rewarded us with the sight of the 200 year old Otway Messmate {Eucalyptus obliqua) towering to the forest canopy. Maits Rest with its rich fern gullies, sky-reaching Eucalypts and understorey plants provided another wonderful rainforest walk. A 300 year old Myrtle Beech exuded a brooding presence with the secrets of forest life past. A roadside stop offered a host of spring flowering plants. Common Beard-Heath {Leucopogon virgatus ), Forest Boronia {Boronia muelleri) and Common Correa {Correa reflexa ) to name but a few. Sunday found us hugging the coastline. Continuing gale force winds but bright sunshine. Everywhere the surging seas and wind. Water falls blown upward. Spume, filled with ocean organisms, formed by crashing waves constantly 22 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 blown over the high cliffs like marine confetti for a wedding of such violent elements. From The Twelve Apostles to Port Campbell, to the Bay of Martyrs and to Childers Cove the seas kept pounding, evoking the terror of the shipwrecks that accompanied early settlement. In the 1850s, at the height of the Victorian Gold Rush, up to 100 ships would round Cape Otway running the gauntlet of the Shipwreck Coast. Particularly sobering was Loch Ard Gorge with the Blowhole, Mutton Bird Island and Thunder Cave where the gravestones in a small cliff-top cemetery recall the loss of 52 lives. Surrounded by a group oblivious of the gale, eminent botanist Dr Sophie Ducker shared information on ocean plants, seaweed and other plant material. The cliffs also revealed a wealth of plant material including Coast Beard-Heath, Banksias and trees stunted by the relendess, salt¬ laden winds. A special treat was to sight the rare blackbird sized Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti) unique to the Otway Ranges and hear its penetrating, repetitive call and squeaking. Then, on Monday, the Great Ocean Road to Anglesea and the property of Jenny and Bill McKellar - 150 acres of coastal woodland and coastal heath-land. Fifty acres adjoining the coastal boundary have been given to The Trust for Nature for preservation with the McKellars caring for it. Around 15 orchid species were found on the property this year. We were delighted to see a good number of these, including the Common Bird Orchid ( Chilloglottis ), Nodding Green Hoods (3 different species), May Fly Orchid (Acianthus caudatus), Gnat Orchid (Acianthus excertus), Pink Fingers (Caladenia earned) and the Thick Lipped Spider Orchid. It was a fitting finale to a memorable tour excellendy organised by Helen Page. Tour leader Rodger Elliot had an attentive audience (from Left) Tim McKellar, Marian Brookes and Sharon Beaman. Photo: Sue Keon-Cohen Recently retired after a career in retail management Frank Page is now busy maintaining and developing the garden around his Forest Boronia 1870s cottage overlooking the lake in Daylesford and caring for (Boronia muelleh) a small garden in Melbourne. Photo . Sue Ke0 n-Cohen Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 23 Marion Agnes Hutton MARION AGNES HUTTON (1912 - 2000) was born in Beijing, China, a year after her father. Sir Francis Aglen, had been appointed by the Chinese government as inspector general to head its maritime customs service. Her mothers family was Scottish and as a young child Marion was taken home to be presented to the family including her grandfather Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour (1853 — 1922), one of Britain’s leading botanists and Regius keeper of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, a post his father, John Hutton Balfour (1808 - 1884), had also held. Marion was educated in London and Paris, and at Cambridge met Herbert Bernard (Barney) Hutton. They married in 1937 shordy before Barney took up a teaching post at Geelong Grammar School (Corio), where the couple spent many decades, interrupted only by Barneys war service and a brief stint of teaching in England. Barney spent 15 years as housemaster of Francis Brown, one of Geelong Grammars boarding houses, and here the Huttons encouragement of the liberal arts fostered creative endeavour. The boys fondly referred to Barney and Marion as ‘Death and the Maiden. Barney, if he knew, doubtless privately Dr Norman Wettenhall DR NORMAN WETTENHALL, who has died aged 85, was influential, well-known and well¬ loved. His interests spanned science and the arts, with emphasis on ornithology and conservation. He gave generously of himself in many spheres of public life. He was educated in Victoria at Glamorgan, The Geelong College and the University of Melbourne, graduating in medicine in 1940. As a child he had learned to love gardens, Australian plants and bird life in the bush garden of his family’s beach house on the Mornington Peninsula. The sea birds he watched as a surgeon- lieutenant in the navy (1942-44) were a further spur to his lifelong interest in the Royal Australian Ornithologists Union (now Birds Australia), which he joined in 1945. Norman became resident registrar at the Royal Children’s Hospital in 1944, an association that lasted almost 50 years. A doctor who took a deep interest in his patients, he was fascinated by pediatric endocrinology, the science of hormonal disorders in children. Simultaneously he pioneered this field in Australia and became applauded the erudition of the nickname, while the cascading trills of Schubert’s string quartet perfectly captured the effervescent energy of Marion’s convivial spirit. Grandfather Balfour had been a specialist in Asian plants, especially rhododendrons, and this bode well for the purchase in 1963 of land at Mount Macedon, and retirement there in 1973, where Barney and Marion created a splendid garden. The Ash Wednesday bushfire (1983) caused much damage, but miraculously the Hutton’s residence and the precious archival research it contained, was spared. Both Barney and Marion were keen garden historians, and Marions two local histories, Macedon and the Mount (1990) and The Hanging Rock (1991), contained much of horticultural interest. Marion was a keen supporter of the Australian Garden Flistory Society and the National Trust, as well as many local groups, and did much to ensure that the histoiy of Mount Macedon was well documented. The Society extends its sympathy to Barney and to other family members. Richard Aitken involved with organisations such as the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Trust for Nature, Fleide Park and Art Gallery and the Museum of Victoria. As a key decision-maker and generator of ideas in many such organisations he helped shape the environment movement in Victoria. Norman’s close association with Birds Australia was in similar vein but in recent years he was also this group’s chief fund-raiser, bringing in some $5 million for the publication of the important seven-volume Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. This project began in 1987 and will be completed in his memory. AGHS members will fondly recall Norman and his wife Joan as enthusiastic participants at conferences and garden tours. There will be wide benefit from the work of the Norman Wettenhall Foundation. This was established in 1995, after Norman sold the best books from his superlative library, to help the understanding and protection of Australian living nature (especially bird life) and its environment and habitat. Anne Latreille 24 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 THE WEB-SITE IS IN THE DOCTOR’S HANDS DR DINAH HANSMAN has an ideal background for her role as webmaster for the Australian Garden History Society inter-net site www.vicnet.net.au/-aghs. S he has qualifications in Agricultural Science from Adelaide, in Horticultural Science and in Landscape Architecture from Lincoln College in Christchurch, New Zealand and a Ph.D. from James Cook University in Townsville where she now lives and teaches botany and horticulture to Australian and overseas students. Her hobby of Information Technology combined with professional experience gives Dinah an impeccable resume for launching AGHS into the world of dot-com. Dinah Hansman knows, from personal experience of field trips to Queensland’s Flinders Island in Princess Charlotte Bay, what geographical isolation is like. She sees the web-site as a means of bringing new people in touch with the aims and work of the Society. Once members have checked the AGHS site they may like to surf other garden sites such as www.nbi.ac.za/gardenswww.rbgkew.org.uk www.anbg.gov.auwww.irises.org www.yourgarden.comwww.daylilies.org www.parks.vic.gov.auwww.gardenhistorysociety.org.uk www.rhs.org.uk Dr Dinah Hansman SUBSCRIPTIONS - I/we wish to become a member of the Australian Garden History Society and enclose my/our subscription. Name(s). Address .State .Postcode Telephone: Home ( ).Business ( ). Email Address. Subscription Rates Please tick (GST inclusive) □ Individual Member $47 □ Household Membership (2 adults and children) $61 O Company/Institution/1 ibinry $73 GJ Youth Rate (25 years and under) $20 Cheque/Money order enclosed: Please make cheques out to the Australian Garden History Society Please debit my credit card: C-1 Visacard —I Mastercard L-l Bankcard Card No. □□□□ □□□□ □□□□ □□□□ Expiry date . . □ 3 year Individual Member $132 □ 3 year Household Membership $165 □ 3 year Company/Institution/Library $198 Q Donation * $ Cardholders signature . The Society is affiliated wtih the Australian Council of National Trusts and is thereby able to benefit from the Trusts’ tax deductible status. ‘Donations are welcome and should be payable to the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and forwarded to the AGHS. Membership benefits: subscription to the Society’s official journal, Australian Garden History, six times a year; garden related seminars, lectures, garden visits and specialist tours: opportunity to attend annual conference and conference tour; contributing to the preservation of historic gardens for posterity. AGHS Office, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Vic. 3141 Phone (03) 9650 5043 Toll Free 1800 678 446 Fax (03) 9650 8470 THIS FORM CAN BE PHOTOCOPIED SO THAT THE JOURNAL CAN BE RETAINED INTACT Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 25 Review by lorrie Lawrence Michael McCoys Garden by Michael McCoy Florilegium Sydney 2000 RRP $39.95 H ere is a wonderful abundance of new thoughts about filling our garden spaces. Through his journal entries over a year or more of seasons Michael McCoy carries his readers along as he cheerily thinks and works to make his own garden from scratch. Spring, summer, autumn, winter (and the last is very cold where he lives, in central Victoria), spring, summer and autumn. He generously shares his impressions and emotions through the business of soil preparation and various plantings, the disappointments and sensual delights as plants leaf, colour, play in the light, combine with others and give off their fragrances. Along the way there is plenty to learn about the management of a large range of perennial leafy, flowery plants and grasses and a few annuals, with their strengths, weaknesses and variable behaviour. Michaels enthusiasm to trial unusual and rare plants adds to the excitement of die book. He acknowledges the value of shrubs with their offering of vertical permanency throughout the seasons. Inspired by Beth Chatto and her renowned dry, gravel garden in Essex, England he makes a resolute effort to let his plants get by for most part without any water beyond natural rains. It is a great moment when the gravel is spread through the designated parts of his garden intensifying colours, clarifying outlines and drawing contrasts. We share the hard work and we share the thrill when Michael’s garden is opened to the public through the Australian Open Garden Scheme in late summer 1999. Seasoned gardeners will thoroughly enjoy the author’s flare with plant combinations, using less usual and sometimes unfamiliar plants, emphasising shape, form, texture and seasonal pictures. For those starting out or revising their gardens the book is very helpful with its endearing combination of trial, error, real know-how, courage and determination that produces mostly sparkling results. For all it is a great story well written with exquisite photography. Lorrie Lawrence is a Victorian gardener, designer, consultant and freelance writer. A garden feature writer for the Australian Home Beautiful 1986-1994 she currently writes for the Herald-Sun New Home Magazine. With Jane Edmanson she co-authored The Australian Garden (Viking 1992, 1995, 2000) AGTTON SYDNE Y The Sydney Branch has acted over the proposed development around Tempe House, Arncliff, an 1830s Verge designed building. A letter to the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning expressed concern over aspects of the proposed development and the future management of Tempe House and its garden. ACT Members of the ACT Branch are participating in the Heritage Precincts Review for the ACT government and are carrying out garden measurement and research at Fifield and Victoria Park in Yass. VICTORIA _ The Victorian Branch is supporting the Royal Botanic Gardens in its campaign to stop die listing of Grey-headed Flying Foxes as a threatened species. Letters have been written to the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens for forwarding to the Minister for Environment and Conservation. AGHS is now represented on the Steering Group for the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Master Plan and on the Advisory Committee for the Flagstaff Gardens Master Plan. 26 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 CALENDAR / EVENTS JANUARY 28 Sun. Victoria, Castlemaine Working Bee at Buda Helen Page 03 9397 2260 FEBRUARY 11 Sun. Sydney, Walk through Phillip and Cook Parks to provide background for Sydney Summer Lecture by Dr lan Hoskins 4.30 p.m. MOS Lecture Theatre Malcolm Wilson 02 9810 7803 15 Thu. Victoria, Melbourne, Walk and Talk Helen Page 03 9397 2260 17 Sat. Queensland, Brisbane Dinner & Speaker at The Green Papaya. Lien Yeomans: A Medicinal Herb Garden in Vietnam Glenn Cooke 07 3846 1050 24 Sat. Victoria, Phillip Zdhwr/Working Bee at Churchill Island Nina Crone 03 5663 2381 South Australia, Adelaide, Talk by Kerry Griffin Moore of the Mediterranean Plant Society Nicky Downer 08 8370 8783 MARCH 17 Sat. Queensland, Brisbane Talk at Botanic Gardens Mt Cootha Beth Wilson: Thirty Years of Landscape Design in Brisbane Glenn Cooke 07 3846 1050 17 & 18 Sat. & Sun. Victoria, Castlemaine Garden Discovery Weekend Libby Peck 03 9866 2869 Interstate participants are welcome INTEREST 31 Sat. Victoria, Olinda Working Bee at Folly Farm Helen Page 03 9397 2260 South Australia, Adelaide Talk — the Adelaide Parklands Judith Brine of Department ol Architecture, University of Adelaide Nicky Downer 08 8370 8783 OCTOBER 26-28 Fri.-Sun. Victoria, Melbourne AGHS 22 nc ^ Annual Conference 2001: a Federation Odyssey Australian Gardens and Landscapes 1890 — 1914 Georgina Whitehead 03 9572 1225 Redlands Salad Recipe Michele Scamps has forwarded the recipe which many conference delegates requested. Send a self-addressed envelope to Jackie Courmadias, AGHS c/o Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Vic. 3141 to receive this delectable recipe. Art, by Gum: painted gum leaves by contemporary Australian artists The University of Melbourne’s School of Botany presents an exhibition and subsequent auction of art works painted on gum leaves; thus reviving a singularly Australian tradition dating back to 1915, when painted leaves were sold for sixpence to raise funds for soldiers returning from World War I. Contributing artists include Prue Acton, Tim Bass, Adam Cullen, Hilary Jackman, William Kelly, Charles McCubbin, Mirka Mora and John Truscott among many others. On Herring Island, Melbourne 12 noon-5 p.m. Thurs. — Sun. 4 January to 4 February, 2001 (a punt to the island leaves from Como Park landing) The Norah Heysen Exhibition This exhibition includes many flower studies in a variety of media produced throughout the artist’s life. The National Library of Australia, Canberra Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. until 28 t * 1 January, 2001 Botany for Beginners Professor Pauline Ladiges from the School of Botany at Melbourne University and colleagues will present a workshop for all the family on each of the first four Sundays in January. The workshops will combine art and botany in an exploration of the flora of Herring Island Contact 03 8344 5067 (weekdays) or 0419 103 799 (weekends) for details Botanica 2001 — the art of the plant An exhibition of botanical paintings and woven jewellery at Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney 10 a.m. to 4p.m. daily Saturday 3 to Sunday 18 March 2001. Entry is free. The Growing Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne will hold their Autumn Plant Sale on Saturday 17 March from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 18 March front 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry from E Gate, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra (Melway 2L B2. Enquiries 03 9836 2862 Japanese Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Barbara Goldin Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001 27 CONFERENCE DELEGATES VISITED FIVE CLASSIC GARDENS in the Southern Highlands beginning with Buskers End, the garden of Joan Arnold. S ince 1976 this distinguished and disciplined plants-woman has set temperate climate treasures around meandering paths and fine trees. Moidart is of an earlier era and a simpler persuasion. Laid out in the 1930s, formal terraces and a sunken rose garden, a froth of pink roses under-planted with pale pink forget-me-nots (and made lively with pink and red umbrellas the day we saw it) still remain the strong ‘bones’ of the garden plan. Garden expansion has involved woodland walks of unusual plants along the front drive. A special feature for me was the white wisteria-covered pergola that led from a woody area to an open perennial border along the paddock giving the first view into ‘borrowed landscape’ that I remembered seeing that day. There was no difficulty viewing the landscape at Whitley which is set on a steep slope with miles of clipped hedges to allow easy gazing upon rolling grazing land. Owners John and Robyn Hawkins have sensitively restored both house and garden and added their own artistic touch. A champion hedge layer, Mark Fowles of England, was engaged in 1984 and 1985 to renew the original hawthorn hedges which may have been planted as early as the 1890s by original owner Sir William Owen. In a sloping woodland setting eucalypts, rhododendrons, camellias, maples and the National Collection of Hydrangeas for the OPCAA (Ornamental Plant Collections Association of Australia) set oflFborders of perennials massed for stunning effect. Hedges provide some formal structure, while pergolas and ornaments provide further interest in this very personable garden which quietly reveals itself for enjoyment on many levels. Marylyn Abbott had more to start with at Kennerton Green. When she bought the property in 1988 it was already a magnificent garden where royalty had been entertained amidst fine trees, bordered lawns and a rose garden inspired by the Alhambra Gardens of Spain. With great energy and a fine touch Marylyn is continually expanding her five-acre wonder. We passed along a meandering mown path through a silver birch meadow to reach a heart- shaped reflecting pool edged with deep blue bearded iris. The central focus was the first of several ornate aviaries. The Victorian Garden, a vision in pink, is a lake surrounded with pink iris and swags of pink and white roses. Freestanding espaliered Granny Smith apples edge a modern parterre at the house. The clipped Bay Garden with its eight box-edged rectangles was awash with dancing white aquilegias whose foliage was unblemished by the leaf-miners that plague my gardens in New England, USA. As genteel garden entertainment it is difficult to find fault with Kennerton Green. Sally Williams is a knowledgeable overseas member of the Australian Garden History Society. With her background of gardening in the United States and a period spent in Australia she brings a valued international perspective to conferences. A wonderful vista opens in the middle of a long pergola extending from the Tudor Revival house to a stone wall where steps descend to a birch grove, a circular rose garden planted with parrot-thwarting rugosa roses and a nut orchard. Of her many achievements, Robyn is most proud of conserving remnant stands of Eucalyptus stellulata and E. data into which she has introduced E. melanoxylon to stabilise the slope so Telopea, Banksia and Melaleuca can grow. For me this garden’s elements were summarised when I had a choice of view in the bush garden from either the classic pillared temple or the twisting rustic armchairs coexisting side by side in harmony. The last garden, Comfort Hill, was the epitome of the ‘open’ Australian garden often eagerly sought by overseas visitors. But for some reason, perhaps owing to the lateness of the day and the cold weather, I was captured by the bountiful afternoon tea and I confess I consumed six beautifully homemade ‘thumbprint’ or ‘jelly’ (jam to you) cookies which resurrected memories of my grandmother’s and mother’s baking skills. They enhanced the pleasures of the day. Thank you AGHS. 28 PRINT POST NO. 345842/0016 Australian Garden History Vol. 12 No. 4 January/February 2001