AMONG the roses on sale this winter is the new Gallipoli Centenary Rose, bred to commemorate the Anzac Gallipoli Centenary.

This gold-medal winner is a strong-growing, deep-red rose with an amazingly long-flowering period and delicious fragrance. It grows to 1.2 metres with bushy growth and disease-resistant foliage.

The Horticultural Society of Canberra planted it in its trial gardens in Bruce last year and it was still flowering in late autumn.

I picked a bunch and, even with the ducted heating on at home, the blooms lasted for nearly two weeks.

FOR winter-flowering, climbing plants go no further than these two clematis.

Second, the evergreen, winter-flowering Clematis Cirrhosa, which I planted just 12 months ago over an arch. It is now more than 2 metres high and a mass of yellowish-white flowers, 4-6 centimetres across. The flowers are followed by silky seed heads in late winter/spring.

DRIED seaweed has been used as a fertiliser for centuries. In the 1940s UK scientist Dr Reginald Milton started experimenting with the liquid extract from seaweed. In 1950 he joined forces with a Tony Stephenson and started manufacturing Maxicrop, initially sold in England and now worldwide.

Dr. Milton was one of the first scientists to prove that plants could accept foods through the leaves as well as promoting root growth. On our farm in England we used Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient and I have been using it in our gardens here for more than 50 years.

THE next free talk in the popular series at The Garden Nursery, Parkwood, is at 10.30am, Wednesday, June 24 when Don Franklin will discuss the care and pruning of fruit trees to maximise fruit production. All talks are held indoors. Book a place on 6254 6726.

Paul Tyerman, a member of the Orchid Society, will talk about the growing and maintenance of cymbidium orchids on July 1.

I HAVE had inquiries asking if there is a cactus society in Canberra and, indeed, there is. The very vibrant Cactus and Succulent Society of the ACT meets in Room 3 at the Hughes Community Centre on the third Sunday of the month at 10.30am. Its website is at cactusact.org.au

Jottings...

• Now’s the ideal opportunity to clean out the garden shed and get rid of out-of-date garden chemicals. Or even all chemical fertilisers and sprays, and take the pledge to only use organic products for the benefit of the environment.
• It’s also a good time to remove dead branches on the Japanese maples. Shape them now rather than in spring when the sap is flowing.
• Salvias can be cut to ground level and it is also a good time to divide to fill vacant, sunny spots in the garden.