As we launch into summer and reflect on the success of the recent Echuca Moama Native Flower Showcase, it seemed the perfect opportunity to promote some of our local horticultural clubs that encourage people to get out into the garden and see all that nature has to offer.
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To accompany this guide are spectacular snaps by Riverine Herald photographer Steve Huntley at the Native Flower showcase on Saturday, October 8.
Echuca Horticultural Society
The Echuca Horticultural Society was established in 1879 and has been flourishing ever since.
Today the group has more than 60 members that meet on a monthly basis to share their gardening expertise, with the society often inviting competent gardeners from outside their circle to present at their meet-ups.
A wonderful variety of plants, seeds and cuttings are frequently displayed at meetings for members to admire and learn about.
EHS secretary Cecilia Merrigan said society members were encouraged to take part in competitions and workshops that enhanced their gardening skills.
“We have held workshops that teach you how to make kokedama planters, terrariums and how to arrange flowers,” Ms Merrigan said.
“Later in the year, we will have a presentation from members of our Floral Artists Group, who will demonstrate how to create floral Christmas decorations.”
Society members regularly take day trips to private gardens and events organised by other garden clubs, as well as the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
For more information about the Echuca Horticultural Society and its activities, email ceciliamerrigan08@gmail.com
Friends of the Moama Echuca Botanic Gardens
An orange grove, a billabong, native plants and a settler’s garden can all be discovered at the Moama Echuca Botanic Gardens.
With delights as far as your eyes can see, it’s no wonder the Friends cannot keep away from the gardens.
Friends of Moama Echuca Botanical Gardens president Tim Barden said the gardens were in their fifth stage of development.
He said the next stage would involve the installation of a ramp that would enable walkers to inspect the garden from above.
“The boardwalk was the first infrastructure to be installed, and that was in 2007,” Mr Barden said.
“Stage one started in 2011 and involved the creation of the garden entrance, stage two involved the making of the mound, stage three is when the settler’s garden was introduced and stage four involved the construction of the billabong.”
The original concept for the garden was to showcase trees and shrubs native to our specific Murray River region; however, over the years the project has evolved to include a variety of other native plants from similar environments but different regions.
Filled with only water-wise species of plants, the gardens are home to bottle trees, eucalyptus trees, acacias, bottlebrush, eremophilia trees, saltbrush, kangaroo paw, grass trees and Moreton Bay figs (for the Settler’s Garden).
A statue of La Belle Hélène, which was created by artist David Maughan, can be found within the gardens. La Belle Hélène’s sister statue is situated near the Arts Centre in Melbourne.
The Friends of the Moama Echuca Botanic Gardens played an active role throughout the entire garden design process.
Mr Barden said the gardens were an asset to the twin towns.
“To use a pun, the gardens are a ‘growing’ attraction for both tourists and the many families that choose to settle here,” he said.
“The gardens are a place for people to relax, and we are very proud of them.”
The Friends meet every Monday morning at 9am for a working bee, a cuppa and a chat.
For more information about the group, visit www.murray.nsw.gov.au/community-directory/environment-and-resources-murray/friends-moama-echuca-botanic-gardens-inc
Echuca Moama Group Native Plant Society
Echuca Moama Group Australian Native Plant Society appreciates the beauty and the versatility of unique Australian plants.
It is a branch of the Australian Plant Society and holds the title of being the youngest plant society in Echuca-Moama.
The group has been around since 2011 but don’t be fooled by its age, members bring with them a wealth of expertise.
President Sue Robertson said the group met at the Echuca Library on the fourth Thursday of the month, bi-monthly.
“We were doing monthly meet-ups but we have now changed to bi-monthly because on the alternate month we now go on field trips,” she said.
“We recently visited bushland in the Whipstick Forest near Bendigo, the Doctor’s Swamp near Rushworth, the Cranbourne Native Gardens and the Melton Botanical Gardens.”
Ms Robertson said they also arranged a yearly trip away to discover and learn more about different native flora and their habitats.
“We’ve been to Marysville and went on the Lake Mountain Wildflower Walk and the Little Desert,” she said.
Every year in October, the society holds its Native Flower Showcase to share information about the types of native plants that can thrive in Echuca-Moama.
The majority of the flowers and cuttings that are on display at the showcase have been grown in members’ gardens.
Ms Robertson said the door was always open to new members.
“We have a great group, I love everything about the group, especially the people in it. We always have fun at meetings and on our field trips,” she said.
“We are always looking for new members that have a love of all things native.”
For more information, visit https://echucamoamagroupaustralianplantsociety.wordpress.com/ or visit the society’s Facebook page.