May Guest Speaker – Stephen Astill

Stephen Astill, the May Guest Speaker, will talk about one of his favourite plants, the Dahlia.  Hailing from Unanderra, Stephen is no stranger to Berry and in particular, the Berry Show.  Though qualified to judge in the Cut Flowers and Pot Plants Sections, Stephen has been appointed by the NSW Dahlia Society as the judge of the Dahlia Section, a role he has regularly filled here over the past 15 years.

Almost everyone loves dahlias with their striking colours and variations in form.  Whether you are an enthusiast or not, come along.  Stephen’s presentation is sure to add to your

knowledge and appreciation. HK

April Guest Speaker -John Gabriele

The May Guest Speaker is ever-popular horticulturist John Gabriele.  Familiar to all as the garden talkback presenter on ABC Illawarra’s The Compost Heap, John provides advice to listeners with an emphasis on sustainable horticultural practice and organic gardening methods.  Employed within NSW TAFE, John has accepted prior invitations to educate our members as Guest Speaker and visits each year in October to launch the Berry Gardens Festival.

John will speak about the advantages of Xeriscape Gardening.  Xeriscaping uses landscaping methods that reduce irrigation needs and maximize the use of natural rainfall.  Combined with a careful selection of drought tolerant and slow-growing plants.  Xeriscaping results in a much hardier garden environment, saving you time and money on your property, while still maintaining a high-class appearance.

The Berry Courthouse garden was originally designed and planted using xeriscape principles.

March Guest Speaker – Debra Keller – topic Heritage Roses

Debra Keller’s interest in Heritage Roses has taken her to many gardens of Old Roses in a number of countries. A firm favourite is Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire, England, which Deb has visited three times over the past 16 years.  Mottisfont Abbey, a Grade 1 listed building, historical priory and country estate, is now operated by the National Trust.  Although the site includes the historic house museum, it is the walled rose garden, home to the National Collection of Ancestral Species and nineteenth century cultivars, that keeps drawing Debra back.

Known as a must-see garden in June and early July, it can still be difficult to catch the roses in full bloom.  Debra’s first visit was a little early, the second a little late.  Her third visit last year was spot on.  You are sure to enjoy Debra’s slides of the spectacular rose garden as she presents, ‘Mottisfont at its Best’.