Four  Seasons

To keep you updated with the latest news and reviews on gardening topics, the Gardeners' Circle WA Inc. offers a magazine, 4 times a year. This magazine is called 'Four Seasons' and is free to members (AU$3.00 to non-members). An edited transcript of speakers presentations, seasonal tips and 'Jobs to do' for each month, a general events diary and information on discounts to members can be found in the magazine.

This page features some articles from the Four Seasons, edited by Suzanne Marsh, with assistance from Jacques Maissin, Ellie Collins,  and Frances Docherty.

'Letters To the Editor' can be emailed to Suzanne Marsh (magazine editor) at  [email protected]

president’s perspective

president’s perspective

Hi everyone, gee I feel like I just wrote a report for the last magazine and
here we are again. Must be the age when time seems to go so quickly!
I wish the summer weather would go as quickly as I am over the heat and
would love to see cooler weather and of course RAIN!!!


Since I last spoke to you my snail creeper, which I have had for two or
three years growing around my potting shed door has finally flowered.
What a flowering! It’s certainly made up for the two years when it
just grew and grew and needed constant pruning. The scent is heavenly
and the flowers are so lush and gorgeous. Finally an idea has come to
fruition and is as good as I had hoped.


Don't you love it when that happens?


Another event that happened since we last caught up was I pruned my Mutabilis Standard Rose. I usually
give it a trim during summer as it grows so prolifically but this summer who had the energy to even step out
into the garden? I decided to get out into the garden after having an argument with my husband.
I was in a great frame of mind to prune something! Guess what I chose? Yes my standard rose! Well after
attacking one side and I stepped back to have a look well I could see I had pruned it to within an inch of
its life!! Not a leaf on it and I had pruned all the little thin stems, the dead stems and whatever else I felt
had to go! Well seeing I did one side I had to do the other and so I attacked the other. Yes I hadn't
calmed down yet so the other side got the same treatment. I had filled up my bin and half my neighbour's.


While I was cleaning up, my other neighbour came across and said "I said to my husband, that Leonie
must have chilli thrip and pruned it really hard”. “No” I said “just husband problems”. Then while we were
speaking an elderly gentleman walked past and said "Isn't it too early to prune?" I just said
"Husbands! But it’s okay, I am a lot calmer now". "Ooh" he said and quickly walked on. When I have
been in the garden working underneath and around the rose, a lot of walkers slow and look at my standard
stems. Some ask but others just look and quickly walk on. Perhaps they have heard of how dangerous
the lady on the corner with the pruning shears is, especially after she has argued with her HUSBAND!


I am concentrating a lot more this year on my vegetable garden. I have planted cauliflowers and broccoli
so will see how it goes. Already this year I have picked some beautiful crisp and crunchie green apples
from our tree in Bridgetown and mandarins off my Japanese tree in Perth. Gave so much away and I
get limes and lemons all year round. My Yuzu lemon tree has fruit on it so will cook with them and try a
new recipe. I love saying “it’s off my tree” don't you?


Well I am writing this in a very noisy indoor playground. My three granddaughters are having lots or fun
but wow with children screaming, crying and yelling I will certainly look forward to that cold glass of wine
tonight when they are in bed and all is quiet.


Will speak again in our next magazine. Stay safe.





Leonie Cattle

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