Newsletter August 2025
Our New Cosy Corner - Lynne and Sophie have created this wonderful “cosy corner”. Come and try it out!
Report from Chairperson/Acting General Manager
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE
I have returned from my annual two-month pilgrimage to the North Island. Why the annual journey? Three of our four children, and our only two grandchildren live there.
June is also the month both Grand-kids celebrate their birthdays, and coincidentally, the weather, at that time of the year, is better up there than it is down here. Also, it is traditionally the quietest time in the garden.
Did we miss Tassie? Yes, we did. Queensland is wonderful but Tassie is home, and nothing compares to that.
QUEENSLAND AND TASSIE TOURISM AWARDS
We visited the Bundaberg Distillery and participated in their “Behind the Scenes” tour, which won the same tourism award as we did, but for Queensland. This was pure industrial espionage – I wanted to see how we compared as a destination.
I am delighted to report that we compare very favourably! The only way in which they may have outshone us was that, after the tour, each visitor was allowed two free shots of rum!!! I’m not sure what we can offer to compete with that…Watch this space!
STRESS
The “holiday” was not without a measure of stress. Early on I was locked out of my laptop and was told that I needed to find my “bit locker key” to re-gain access to my files. I had never heard of this thing and had no way to find it. For four weeks, I thought I had lost all my files and emails created over the last ten years. Only people who spend as much time as I do on my keyboard could understand the stress that that created. If I hadn’t already been bald, I would have lost all my hair. Luckily, I found the bit locker key (eventually) and was able to resume my life and stop any further hair loss.
The only reason I have related that sad story is that there are now missing bits to my life, and there may be people out there who feel I have ignored them and have not responded to emails or paid invoices or done something I was scheduled to do. If there is anyone out there feeling aggrieved because of this, I apologise. Please make contact again.
COSY CORNER
In my absence the ladies created a “cosy corner” in the function room, complete with fireplace, easy chairs, bookcases, a couch and pile carpet—as you will have seen on the front page. Above the fireplace is Pete Stratford’s poem “When is the garden at it’s best?” An unanswerable question of course!! Trust our resident poet laureate/philosopher to come up with such a conundrum.
This corner has turned out to be a real asset and very popular with our visitors. It fits into the space beautifully. Thanks Lynne and Sophie.
CHEF
We are looking for a part time chef. That person will add depth to our staff, come up with new ideas, and assist our staff in continuing to produce food worthy of our café and function room. If you are interested or know anyone who may be interested, please get hold of us on 6433 1805 or events@emuvalleyrhodogarden.org.au.
WINTER WARMERS
Our Wednesday Winter Warmers are still popular, and everyone is welcome to join us. Please book to ensure you don’t miss out. (Final Warmer for 2025 was 27/08).
I’ve been in the office at the same time as the ladies when they discuss what to produce for the next week’s offering, and it’s a very uncomfortable experience, as it leads to salivation and hunger pangs.
PLATYPUS PROJECT
Our partners in the platypus project have completed the first part of their study. I hope to share some results with you in the next edition of the newsletter.
THE GARDEN
Oh yes, the garden. It may be winter, but it’s looking magnificent out there. It always does. Come up and visit.
Ant Dry: Chairperson & Acting General Manager
Around the Garden
Winter has settled in here at the garden, bringing with it all things uniquely Tasmanian. While the rhododendron buds await their spring debut, the garden continues to be a peaceful woodland garden, perfect for reflective strolls and appreciating a bit more of a slower pace which does us all the world of good.
Garden Tips for Winter:
¨ Prune Deciduous Trees and Shrubs: With leaves shed, it's the ideal time to shape and maintain the health of your trees and shrubs.
¨ Divide Perennials: improve plant energy by dividing perennials like irises and rhubarb.
¨ Weed Vigilantly: Keep an eye out for weeds that may take advantage of the quieter season.
¨ Protect Frost-Sensitive Plants: Use covers or relocate potted plants to shield them from frost.
¨ Tool Maintenance: Clean and sharpen your gardening tools to prepare for the upcoming seasons.
¨ Dream and plan! Winter is perfect for sketching out new beds or ordering bulbs and seeds.
New Hand-Crafted Garden Goodies!
Pop into our plant hut next time you visit—we’ve just stocked up on some gorgeous new hand-crafted products made with love by local makers. Think nature-inspired gifts, garden-themed goodies, and one-of-a-kind treats perfect for a little self-spoil or a thoughtful present.
A Warm Welcome to Our New Volunteers!
We’re thrilled to welcome our newest garden volunteers! Your enthusiasm and dedication are the heartbeat of Emu Valley, even on the frostiest of mornings! If you’ve been contemplating joining our vibrant team, there’s no better time. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, or perhaps tinkering with tools is more your thing, then we have a place for you.
We have a few new projects in the pipeline, and we hope to make a start this coming spring. There is always something that needs building, pruning, extending or fixing here, but we love it.
Some of the rhododendron species and hybrids are out of whack due to the long dry Summer and Autumn that we have recently experienced. For example R. Arboreum ‘Stowport’ is happily flowering a whole two months too early!
While they are adding colour and looking stunning, the frosts that could come along will spoil the look of these trusses as well as the plant is now already using up some of it’s energy to produce these out of season blooms which can lead to a reduction in the number of flowers available for the upcoming spring.
You can give them a handful or two of potash to stimulate the process of hardening off, so they will reduce the amount of flowers flowering out of season and focus on producing another display of colour in Spring, otherwise just let them do their thing and expect a lower number of flowers at the right time of the season. You can’t always control nature!
Stay warm and remember to check out our website and Facebook page to stay connected and up to date with the latest for what is happening around our garden.
Neet—Horticultural Manager
Spotlight on Rhododendron mitriforme
Tucked among the misty forests of northern Vietnam, Rhododendron mitriforme is a botanical gem that brings a touch of the exotic to cool-climate gardens. First described by botanist D. F. Chamberlain in the late 20th century, this species is prized for its compact form and delicate floral display.
Typically growing to around 1.5 metres in height, R. mitriforme is a small evergreen shrub with leathery, dark green leaves and a tidy, rounded habit. In late spring, it produces clusters of soft pink to pale rose tubular flowers, often with subtle spotting inside the corolla. The blooms are modest in size but striking in their elegance—perfect for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate subtlety over spectacle.
This rhododendron thrives in dappled shade with well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. It prefers cool, moist conditions and benefits from protection against harsh afternoon sun and drying winds. Though still rare in cultivation, R. mitriforme is a rewarding choice for sheltered woodland gardens and shaded borders.
Keep an eye out for this understated beauty on your next visit—it’s a quiet achiever with undeniable charm that you can find around the Japanese Tea House carpark at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden.
Maurie
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