I recently spotted two new roses I hadn’t seen before – Rosa “Calypso” and Rosa “Sweet Spot”, which grow to just 80cm tall with a similar spread.

Long blooming with a kaleidoscope of colours, they would suit a sunny balcony.

They are available at Heritage Nursery, Yarralumla.

In his latest book, “Grafting and Budding” (Hyland House, rrp $29.95), Gilbert writes: “Any gardener can graft and this book demonstrates the age-old myth of difficulty of an age-old craft, it is just that, a myth”.

He demonstrates, step by step, with photos in a style that is so easy to follow. Other books I recommend include his “All About Apples”, “Climbers and Creepers” and “Tomatoes For Everyone”.

ON Tuesday, May 17, the Horticultural Society of Canberra will take a day trip by bus to Thirlmere to visit the famous Thornton Bros rose farm.

Then on to Julie and Craig’s Perennial Hill Garden and Nursery in Mittagong where visitors will be enchanted by the garden’s dry stone walls, garden rooms, rockery and conifer garden and more (plus the opportunity to buy from their extensive range of perennial plants).

The cost for the trip is $40 with morning and afternoon tea provided plus entry to the gardens. Bookings to canberragardener@gmail.com or phone 6281 4041. For insurance purposes it is necessary to become a member of the society.

THE UK’s 212-year-old Royal Horticultural Society’s journal was first published in 1866 and is this month celebrating its 150th edition – not too many magazines survive this long!

Initially the society simply named its publication “The Journal” and in 1975 retitled it “The Garden”.

Today it is distributed to more than 448,000 members worldwide. For anyone serious about gardening, I recommend joining the society (at rhs.org.uk/membership).

MORE hints about “leafmould”: Usually less alkaline than manure or garden compost, which makes it suitable for rhododendrons and other acid-loving plants, including natives. Mixing with grass clippings can speed up the process, but don’t overdo it. Spread the leaves on the lawn and this will mix the leaves evenly with the clippings.

Jottings…

• Cover persimmons with netting as they ripen to keep out possums and birds. 
• Plant spring bulbs without delay, tulips can be planted in May. 
• Eliminate woolly aphids by mixing 2ml Eco-oil with 2ml of Eco-neem to each litre of water. Follow up in a week. Certified organic Eco products are available from most garden centres.