Winter is nearly over down here!

Certainly there are many people who love this plant.There have been songs written about them; there are many songs which compare the female form to 'The Dainty English Rose'. So, there must be something about this flower which makes us gardeners, and many, many non-gardeners thrill at the scent and the sight of the large number of varieties which have been developed over the years.

First, in the southern hemisphere I suppose we all should remember that the rose came initially form the northern hemisphere and were brought here by man. The introduction of the rose to other parts of the world led, eventually, to the crossing of one species with another.

It is the Rosa Fortuneana, discovered by Dr Robert Fortune in the far east around about 1850 and brought back to England, that is used for the main understock which nurserymen in Western Auatralia use for the production of roses outdoors in gardens, parks, etc. The originals were brought out here by the early pioneers. It has survived the harsh conditions, the sandy soils, and the very high summer temperatures.

As well as the rose, there are the homegrown variety of plants here in Western Australia that, round about this time of the year, become very popular with the locals and the tourists. It's coming up for Wildflower Time. Whilst many wildflowers bloom all the year round, late August through September and October is the time of year when a profusion of wildflowers bloom in this state. I believe there are good reports about this season's wildflowers from the north of the state. There have also been good falls of rain in the south of the state around Albany and the ranges. So, there should be good displays of wildflowers in those areas too.

On September 13, a Sunday, there will be a Spring Fling at the headquarters of the Wildflower Society of Western Australia. That is at Perry house in Oceanic Drive, Floreat Park. Apparently there willl be a demonstration of how to grow and to mulch differing varieties of wildflowers. I will be reporting on these events later in the year.There will be plants and seeds for sale, and I am sure those who attend will be able to find out which plants attract the birds.

Wildflowers include the native trees shrubs and ground cover which make up the bush of Australia - the green heritage. The Wildflower Society believe it is necessary to foster an appreciation of the Western Australian wildflowers. The colour and the beauty of these species attract visitors form other states and from overseas. The Society is dedicated to preserving the wildflowers of Western Australia, unfortunately year by year some of the species are becoming harder to find. It is not well known that many of the wildflowers are fragile and help is needed to preserve this heritage.

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