TOP FIVE ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR THRIVING ROSES 

A common misconception about roses is that they are difficult to grow and care for. Despite being a universally admired flower, roses have garnered a reputation as being fussy, especially by those who have not had much success growing them. 

Roses are actually one of the easiest flowers to grow in your backyard and are so resilient they can even survive drought. The most common mistake people make with them is not knowing the secrets such as when to feed and prune them, as well as what their optimal growing conditions are. 

Plant them in the sunlight: While roses can grow well in filtered light, both the quantity and quality of the flowers may be reduced. To avoid this, make sure to plant your roses in a position where they receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day. Remember to protect roses with some shade from the midday sun during summer to avoid wilting and the scorching of leaves and flowers.

Fertilise regularly: Roses that are fertilised regularly not only maintain their growth and continue to flower strongly, they are also better able to withstand pests and disease. Apply a controlled release fertiliser every few months.

Use bleach or antiseptic when pruning: When pruning roses, dip the blades of your secateurs and pruning saw in a weak solution of household bleach or antiseptic between plants to prevent the spread of diseases from unhealthy to healthy bushes. Cut back the healthy stems from last season by one third and make your cut just above an outward pointing bud or node. You can also cut off spent flowers during peak flowering times to encourage more flowers to grow.

Use a compost mix when planting bare-rooted roses: Bare-rooted roses usually have their roots encased in damp sawdust and plastic to stop them from drying out. Once you take your new rose home, it is important to make sure that you plant it as soon as possible and keep the roots moist. Prepare a planting hole that will comfortably hold the roots and add a compost mix that contains natural bio-stimulants, such as Scotts Osmocote Premium Compost, to the base of the hole.  

Give your roses regular deep watering: Once roses are established they are able to tolerate periods of dryness well. However, roses do need regular deep watering for the first year after planting. This ensures that when the conditions are right, the controlled release fertiliser you’ve applied will release its nutrients to the roots. Water your roses twice per week over spring and summer, making sure that the soil is soaked to a reasonable depth.

Deborah Halpern To Exhibit and Judge the Sculpture Exhibition at the 2024 Show!

This year’s sculpture exhibition is shaping up to be one of the best! Deborah Halpern, an internationally renowned sculptor will be judging the artwork as well as exhibiting one of her sculptures.

Deborah Halpern is one of Australia’s most celebrated sculptors, known for her wildly colourful mosaic work.

Creator of many of Melbourne’s most loved public sculptures, Halpern’s works exude an innate vitality and alluring simplicity. Spontaneous in form, her creatures are painted in a style that recalls visions of Gaudi, Picasso and the playful surrealism of French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, yet all have become distinctly Halpernesque in their ability to delight and surprise.

Halpern is a multi-disciplinary artist who explores the mediums of sculpture, painting, pottery, glass blowing and printmaking. Her work can be exuberant and whimsical but is also imbued with a deep artistry.

Deborah’s sculpture, Family, will be on exhibition on our site. “Family,” is a celebration of these timeless bonds that define and enrich our human experience.

The Sculpture Exhibition is located in the Sculpture Precinct. We will have scheduled art demonstration from artists showing different aspects of creating a sculpture. The traditional lime stone carving demonstration will also be at the exhibition.

During the show, artists will be on site to explain their work and to answer any questions.

Visitors can meander through these creative spaces and interact with the artist and even some of the sculptures.

All the sculptures are for sale. We look forward to meeting at the exhibition.

Learn More HERE

Annika Zetterman and Kajsa Björne – Pocket Profile

We are so excited to welcome Annika Zetterman and Kajsa Björne to the 2024 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Presented By Scotts within the Landscape Show Garden Competition!

Annika and Kajsa’s garden will celebrate and share the natural beauty and culture of their Nordic heritage. The New Nordic Notes Garden derives from their Scandinavian heritage. The duo talked us through their garden and inspiration, as well as some insights on our they got into the industry and what they’re most excited to share at this year’s show.

Check out the full profile below!

Annika Zetterman – Show Garden Profile

The Nordicness in my spirit lies deep, constantly working towards elegant and meaningful expressions through simplicity.

When/How did you get into the industry?

My knowledge and interest in plants has been part of my life for as long as I remember, as well as drawing that comes naturally to me.

Moving to London, UK in my 20’s, witnessing gardens being such a valuable integral in people’s life, made me decide to retrain and become a garden designer. Gardens in Sweden didn’t have the focus then, as they have today.

What are you most excited about at this year’s #melbflower show?

To share our garden.  The New Nordic Notes Garden derives from our Scandinavian heritage; the use of materials, plant choices resonating with the wild and an appreciation of our past, and at the same time demonstrates a concept applicable worldwide.

Our garden will instantly be recognised as celebration of our Scandinavian roots. The garden acts as an inspiration for young people to be energised and inspired by, for them to stay curious and be encouraged to explore tradition and nature in a new context with respect and admiration of the past.

What is the gardening trend of the season?

• Happiness! In a world of dark and difficult times, we want to paint our minds and souls in colourful pictures that boost our day. Plants with an abundance of flowers in an array of colours.

• We also stay in the upcycle and foraging trend, using our creativity to use materials found close and keep the interest to explore nature and bring it into our gardens.

• A keen interest to grow your own fresh produce, vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries is kept strong.
  
  

Who has been the biggest influence on your design career?

Nature, itself. I have a quite dialogue when I am outdoors, observing the tiniest pattern, such as a spiders web or the remarkable patterns of a snow flake in my hand in winter.

The natural light is very special, sometimes peculiar in Scandinavia, having an impact on myself as much as it plays an important role in expressions in what I create.

If you could invite any three people to a garden party who would they be?

Tapio Wirkkala – Finnish designer and sculptor. An exceptionally versatile artist. His expressions are often derived from nature, such as leaves or shape of birds as well as observations, such as ice formations or the movement of water. 

Karin Larsson – a Swedish design pioneer famous for her innovative patterns, long before her time. Trained as a painter, her paintbrush was replaced by thread and needle, as she turned her artistry to decorating her home, especially to weaving and embroidery. Her home and garden in Sundborn, Dalarna is perhaps Sweden’s most famous home, still open to the public today.

HRH Crown Princess of Sweden, Victoria – she is a role model for a younger generation sharing her admiration for nature, choosing to spend time in nature when possible, and being an advocate to save our oceans, raising awareness of challenges in the Baltic Sea. In 2020 she completed a two-year project of exploring every Swedish county on foot, to experience and to celebrate the natural beauty of Sweden.

Kajsa Björne – Show Garden Profile

I love the power of living materials, it is the lungs of every garden, without them, a garden will never be complete.  

When/How did you get into the industry?

I was studying industrial design and always felt like something was missing. Once I realised it was the natural elements and plants that I was missing, I changed my direction and never looked back. Growing up having Swedish nature as my playground shaped me more than I knew at the time.

What are you most excited about at this year’s #melbflower show?

To celebrate and share the natural beauty and culture of our Nordic heritage together with my close friend Annika. To share what lies deeply embedded within our hearts. It’s a matter of nurturing what we have on our doorstep and returning to our roots. Traditions, nature, handcraft and the beauty of our forests.

What is the gardening trend of the season?

• Calmness – our world is so stressful with the constant technology chasing us, the unsettled world around us with so much hatred and the stresses of a planet that is about to expire. We need to slow down, appreciate the small things around us, smell and look at the delicate construction of a leaf or a flower, listen and touch water, smell timber and celebrate nature.

• Artistic vision on a budget – Most of us are affected by the costs of living, the spike in interest rates, and generally having much less in our pockets. A beautiful garden should be something that everyone can afford.  It’s a matter of balancing creativity and finance by being innovative, have a plan and think through solutions.

Who has been the biggest influence on your design career?

My upbringing. Living close to nature and being surrounded by a family who share a love for nature. I developed a gratitude in the art of growing plants after growing most of our food in our garden and at my grandparent’s farm. 

If you could invite any three people to a garden party who would they be?

My grandmothers– Two very strong and inspiring women of their times, who taught me to take pride in the home & garden, make handcraft and how to create magic with plants.    

Andy Sturgeon – My first step into the garden design industry and show gardens was while working for Andy at the very start of my career. Andy is a great designer, a great friend but most of all, a very inspiring role model.

Björn Natthiko Lindeblad – A Swedish monk who can teach us all of how to slow down and appreciate what we have around us. When life gets busy and stressful, I read his book. 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR HEALTHY INDOOR PLANTS 

Indoor plants are a great way to add some colour into your home and with so many varieties available you will be spoilt for choice. At first, raising new plant babies can be tough, but with the right knowledge and products your indoor plants will be thriving in no time. 

An incredible 18 million Australians have adopted an Indoor Plant in the last few years (Source: Plant Life Balance Trend Report 2020) and it’s no wonder as indoor plants are a great way to add decorative elements with health benefits to their living spaces. Whether you are a beginner or expert in the world of indoor plants, there are a variety of tips and tricks to assist every skill level 

Tip #1 Offer your plants a drink, but don’t give them too much: You should always check to see if your indoor plants want a drink before giving them some water. Check the moisture level by placing your finger directly in the soil. If your finger comes out a little dry, it’s time to give your plant child some water. Your indoor plants will have a better chance at survival if they have been a little under-watered rather than being over-watered. 

Tip #2 Feed your plants, better than you feed yourself: So that your plant babies live their best lives, you should always invest in an indoor plant food specifically formulated to keep them healthy by providing a balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Not only is Osmocote Pour+Feed for Indoor Plants specifically formulated to meet all the needs of your plants it is easy to use, no mixing, no mess.

Tip #3 Highlight your plant’s best angles: Not all plants have the same lighting requirements and some need more than others, so make sure to research what level of light your plants require. A good rule to live by is, if it is too dark in the room to read a book, it is generally too dark for indoor plants to reside in. Keep in mind that when the seasons change so does the positioning of the sun, so you might have to make some small location adjustments at the beginning of each season. 

Tip #4 Select the perfect potting mix: Selecting the perfect potting mix is very important when planting indoor plants. You want to select a premium indoor potting mix with the Australian Standard Red tick, which ensures that the mix has been manufactured to comply with premium Australian Standards. Scotts Osmocote Premium Indoor Potting Mix is a unique formula that doesn’t contain compost or pine bark which are known to shelter insects like fungus gnats. It also includes coir and sphagnum peat to aid in water holding and perlite to help improve aeration and drainage. 
Tip #5 Remember to style your indoor plants: Indoor plant parents must remember to groom their babies in order to keep them happy and healthy. Cut off any browning or discoloured leaves and check for pests that might have taken up residence on your plants. Even if your plants are thriving, it’s a good idea to prune them occasionally to keep them healthier for longer.

Christian Jenkins – Pocket Profile

We are thrilled to welcome back Christian Jenkins to the 2024 Show Garden Competition!

Christian is a seasoned professional at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Presented By Scotts. We can’t wait to see what he will create for the show next year, which is a collaboration with Margaret River Trees. Christian gave us some insights into his show garden titled ‘Reflections’ as well as his gardening trend predictions, and who he would invite to his dream garden party!

2024 Show Garden Profile

This years Show Garden will once again continue my journey of creating Wellness Gardens, allowing the audience to experience an overwhelming sensory experience of joy, calm and tranquility.

The design is a collaboration with Margret River Trees, framed with the striking boldness of towering Bottle Trees, one of Australia’s greatest trees. In addition, the Show Garden will showcase further trees over 500 years old, celebrating their architectural brilliance in this contemporary garden setting combined with a mix of Australian Native plants.

A contemporary landscape garden celebrating Australian Native Plants, limestone garden beds, decked boardwalks and a large body of water sets the scene for this Wellness Garden. The large body of water that will create a range of reflections that remind us of the mysterious wonders of nature.

The garden will have a entertaining area for the friends and family to gather and eat, outdoor room for one to rest and relax, whilst the garden will take one on a journey through the space leading one to a range of sitting areas.

When/How did you get into the industry?

Started Gardening Training ship in the early 1990’s with my first show garden in 2003

What are you most excited about at this year’s #melbflower show?

I am loving how the show is going from strength to strength. Can’t wait to see Kojo’s Japanese Garden. 

What is the gardening trend of the season?

I believe there is a trend towards Wellness Gardens people want that space that transports them away from Day to Day living 

Who has been the biggest influence on your design career?

Travelling to Bali for years has created my love for Tropical Wellness Gardens and l continue to enjoy admiring there great creativity of garden design 

If you could invite any three people to a garden party who would they be?

That’s a hard question l would invite Sting for some great tunes and conversations 

Novak Djokovic l love his commitment to elite performance 

Annie Lennox from Eurythmics as she was my favourite as a teenager and would love to hear some unplugged  classics 

Grow Cocktail Garnishes In Your Garden

Always have the freshest ingredients on hand and elevate your cocktail game.

Whether you’re a gardener who enjoys a fresh drink, or a mixologist tired of having to buy single-use herbs, growing your own cocktail garnish to use in your drinks is super easy and fun to do!

Perfect for summer entertaining, here are our 5 must-have cocktail garnishes from your garden:

Mint

Mint is arguably the most iconic cocktail garnish, being a staple ingredient for many drinks, such as the classic mint mojito. Like most herbs, mint is quite flavoursome and can be used fresh, dried, muddled or as a simple syrup.

As mint is a perennial herb it is best grown in pots or planters. If you’re growing mint in the garden, make sure you trim regularly and be careful of it taking over. We love growing mint in a mason jar on a sunny kitchen windowsill. Ensure that your mint gets the right nutrients to grow strong and healthy by using a premium potting mix, like Scotts Osmocote Tomato, Vegetable and Herb Premium Potting Mix.

Basil

Basil is a super versatile herb, whose flavour helps elevate several spirits, such as gin, tequila or rum. Basil is also well paired with other garden-fresh ingredients like strawberry, lemon or cucumber and together they make for a refreshing spritzer.

The most common variety used is sweet basil but there are other varieties available to experiment with. Some are sweet, peppery or have citrus overtones, all of which add a unique flavour profile to your drink. When growing basil ensure that it has plenty of sunlight and water. It’s also important to pinch off the top set of leaves from the basil plant every 2 weeks or so for continuous and greater production of leaves.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most aesthetically pleasing herbs to add as a cocktail garnish and gives an added floral and woody flavour like no other. In particular, this herb is fantastic when paired with spirits such as vodka or gin, making your next gin and tonic or martini an aromatherapy in a glass.

To make it even better, lavender is easy to grow when planted in a container that is exposed to direct sunlight. Make sure to water daily and harvest once blossoms begin to open.

Rosemary

Rosemary has a rich, woody flavour that perfectly complements some of the most iconic cocktails. For example, rosemary can create a great smoky spin on the typical whiskey sour or old-fashioned. Don’t be afraid to pair it with other fruits and herbs, like lavender or grapefruit for fresh flavour – the possibilities are endless!

Rosemary doesn’t need a lot of attention once it’s planted and established, but to grow the best, make sure that you start with the best. Use a premium potting mix, like Scotts Osmocote Tomato, Vegetable and Herb Premium Potting Mix, that is boosted with natural nitrogen and other organic ingredients designed for optimal plant growth.

Thyme

Thyme has a distinctive, woody flavour that works well as a simple syrup or garnish in many cocktails, for example you can create a herbaceous twist on an old fashion or martini. For those who prefer citrus undertones, you can grow a lemon thyme variety and use it for drinks like a Limoncello thyme gin spritz.

To grow thyme, you’ll need a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. Like rosemary, thyme is drought tolerant and susceptible to root rot, so only water them when the soil is completely dry.

Here’s Your Summer Gardening Guide, Thanks To Scotts

Around The Garden

• Improve your soils ability to hold moisture by mixing through a good quality compost like Scotts Osmocote Compost Premium Soil Improver and add a layer of mulch (about 4-7cm thick) to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Deep waterings are more beneficial for your plants that short ones. Always water down at ground level and avoid overhead watering which can encourage fungal diseases.
• Keep an eye out for pests like aphids, caterpillars, whitefly and scale that love the warmer weather. If needed use Defender Pyrethrum Insect Spray as per the labels instructions to control these pests.

In the veggie patch

• All of your warm season favourites like tomatoes, eggplants, capsicums and chillies thrive in the summer sun.
• Don’t forget your greens – plant out zucchini, cucumbers, beans, rainbow chard and lettuce (with some afternoon sun protection).
• Corn and pumpkins are a favourite to grow with kids
• Summer loving herbs to plant now include; basil, parsley, rosemary, lemongrass, mint, tarragon and chives
• Be sure to use a quality potting mix like Scotts Osmocote Tomato, Vegetable and Herb Premium Potting Mix

Seasonal Colour

• Fill decorative pots with warm season annuals including petunias, zinnias, impatiens, sunflowers and dahlias. Use them to bring a splash of colour to your outdoor entertaining spaces.
• Keep your colorful displays at their best with regular feedings of Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed for Flowering Plants

Lawn Care Tips

• Don’t cut your lawn too short in the hot summer months – slightly raising the mower blade to keep the grass a bit longer provides it with natural shade and helps to keep the roots cool
• Topdress and fertilise your lawn in spring or summer. Use Scotts Lawn Builder All Purpose Lawn Fertiliser and a Scotts spreader to easily and quickly apply fertiliser to your whole lawn.

12 Days Of Christmas Giveaway!

This competition is NOW CLOSED

As the holiday season approaches, we want to share the love!

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, presented by Scotts, is the gift that keeps on giving.

To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, we’re offering our #MelbFlowerShow community the opportunity to WIN! With over to $9,000 of prizes to be won with12 incredible prizes to giveaway, there’s something for everyone. All you have to do is purchase a ticket for the Show before December 12 and you will automatically go in the draw!

With so many chances to win, and a prize pool of over $9,000, we’re starting celebrations early!

HOW TO WIN

All you have to do is purchase a ticket to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, presented by Scotts Osmocote, before Tuesday 12 December, and you’re automatically in the running!

Check out the Terms & Conditions HERE. Winners will be contacted directly on Wednesday 13 December.

PRIZES ON OFFER

See competition Terms and Conditions HERE

Make your Christmas merrier this year with a living centrepiece!

As families across the country embrace sustainable living, there’s a growing desire to reduce single-use plastics, including decorations. Living centrepieces offer a sustainable and unique way to bring some life to your Christmas table!

Here’s a simple guide to help you create a beautiful Christmas living centerpiece:

What You’ll Need:

• A large decorative bowl
• Scotts Osmocote Premium Indoor Potting Mix
• Various small indoor plants
• Decorative pebbles
• Festive decorations and ribbon
• Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed for Indoor Plants

How to Make Your Christmas Centrepiece:

1. Choose the Perfect Pot:

Select a container that suits your Christmas theme. It could be an upcycled bowl or a purchased one that complements your holiday colours. The container doesn’t need drainage holes; just add a layer of river pebbles and horticultural charcoal to assist with water drainage.

• Select the Right Potting Mix:

Ensure your centerpiece thrives by using the right potting mix. Scotts Osmocote Premium Indoor Potting Mix is the perfect choice, formulated without compost or pine bark, this mix is less prone to pesky fungus gnats.

• Find the Perfect Plants:

Choose indoor plants like ferns, English Ivy, or varieties with red leaves, such as Hypoestes phyllostachya or “Freckle Face”. Peace Lilies and Red Poinsettia add a festive touch.

• Placement is Key:

Aim to fill your entire centrepiece by arranging plants evenly, varying heights and textures for visual interest and then take it to the next level with a large candle, coloured pebbles, and festive baubles or small decorations around the foliage. Tie a cheerful ribbon around the pot for a finishing touch.

• Keep Your Plants Thriving:

Position your centrepiece away from direct sunlight and water plants after the potting mix has dried out. For best results, use Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed for Indoor Plants fortnightly, providing your centrepiece with essential nutrients well beyond the festive season.

The Hanging Basket Competition is BACK

COME ONE, COME ALL! THE COMPETITION FOR ANY GREEN THUMB, CREATIVE PLANT LOVER OR ANYONE SIMPLY WANTING TO BE A PART OF THE SHOW!

After a successful relaunch in 2023, the Hanging Basket Competition will again take over the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show for 2024. An initiative driven at it’s inception by both Scotsburn Nurseries and the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria with the assistance of significant industry support, the Show is delighted to have the competition back in a refreshed location and format.

From launching in 2001 with 50 entries, the competition has grown to host over 400 entries in the most recent editions with engagement from Royal Horticultural Society Victoria members, affiliated garden groups, children, schools, TAFE Colleges, disadvantaged sectors, Youth Groups and a range of nurseries throughout the industry. The concept was and remains simple; participants pay an entry fee and receive a hanging basket and potting mix to prepare their very own hanging basket to display at the Show. The aim is to encourage gardening through a platform that allows anyone to be involved in the biggest Flower & Garden Show in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Hanging Basket Competition was created to encourage variety, creativity and providing a blank canvas to all participants. The mantra remains for all participants to have fun and challenge themselves. Recent editions have seen a diverse range of plants such as cacti, succulents, bonsai, natives and culinary varieties. As a result, virtually anything is fair game as long as it can be successfully grown in a basket, with the only conditions listed in the Judging section on our hanging baskets page.

The competition continues to receive significant industry support thanks to both Brunnings (provider of the hanging baskets) and Debco (provider of the potting mix). The collection locations for the equipment are also integral to the competition, with further details on our hanging basket page around the exclusive discounts available to participants from All Green Nursery & Garden, Diaco’s Garden Nursery and Yarra Edge Nursery at the time of collection.

Learn More And Apply HERE