In the Beautiful Blue Mountains

Festival 2023

Friday 29 Sept - Monday 2 Oct

 
 
 
 

Think Spring …. Think Leura

Festival Gardening Talks

We are once again pleased to announce that a program of horticultural related talks will take place during the festival. 

Where:

In the Gazebo in the grounds of the Waldorf Leura Gardens Resort - Garden No 5 - located at 20-28 Fitzroy Street, Leura.

When:

On Sunday 5 October

Time:

There will be two sessions each comprising 2 talks

  • Session 1 - 10.30-11.30 and 11.30 - 12.30
  • Session 2 - 2.00 - 3.00 and 3.00 - 4.00 pm

Cost:

The cost is $5 per session (ie two talks) - Tickets will be available only on the day and sold at the entrance to the Gazebo at the Waldorf.

Following on the success of Festival 2013 we are once again holding a program of talks on different aspects of gardening as part of this year's Festival program.  The talks will be held on Sunday 5 October in the Gazebo located in the grounds of the Waldorf Leura Gardens Resort.

This year’s program of horticultural talks will provide both the experienced and the amateur gardener with a wealth of information, not only on the practical aspects of maintaining your garden but also how to bring your garden into the home, by way of photographs and flower arrangements.

 

10.30-11.30

Jennifer Stackhouse

50 years of gardening - trends of the past and what's ahead

Jennifer will talk about some of the trends which have occurred in gardening over the past 50 years including plants, pots, fertilisers, chemicals, garden size and approach to gardening as well as discussing what the future of gardening may look like with particular reference to the changes occurring in our environment.

Jennifer Stackhouse is a highly respected horticulturist, garden writer, speaker and editor. She edits the influential trade journal Greenworld, writes for several leading garden magazines and websites, and is regularly heard on ABC radio.

 

11.30-12.30

Helen Caughey

Bugs, Slugs and Thugs

This talk will focus on all things creepy, crawly, chewy, slimy, furry and weedy, which adversely affect our hard efforts and much-loved plants in the garden. Helen will simplify and demystify everything from what is eating the hydrangeas to how to tackle onion weed and blackberry.

Helen Caughey is an experienced horticulturalist who ran her own successful urban design/landscaping business in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs. Now semi-retired, she is a part-time horticulturalist at local nursery, Birches of Leura.

 

2.00-3.00

Mary Sweeney

Delights from the Garden: practical flower arranging

Mary will share with us her secrets and tips on all aspects of flower arranging, covering flowers, foliages, plants and containers.  She will create a practical and easy-to-follow arrangement that all gardeners will be able to try for themselves.

Among many other affiliations, Mary is the current NSW Floral Art Association President and Chairman of the Australian Floral Art Association (AFAA) Judges and Demonstrators Sub Committee.  In 2003 she received the Order of Australia Medal for Services to Floral Art and Education.

 

3.00- 4.00

Michael Small

Getting in the Picture - Photographing gardens and related subjects - hints and tips to get the best result

This talk will cover the general principles involved in photographing gardens and related subjects and look at issues such as choosing the subject and time to photograph, getting the direction, distance and camera settings right.

Michael is one of the few full time, professional photographers in the Blue Mountains.  He is passionate about his profession and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for his craft with the audience along with some hints and tips on photography.