Activities and Events

Information Evenings are held monthly, public welcome. The program includes a guest speaker, followed by free raffle, supper and a chat at no charge. They are held every 3rd Monday of the month (except December), at 7.30pm in the Wesley Foyer, Wesley Uniting Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest, unless advised otherwise in the timetable below.

At the monthly Information Evenings beginners and experts alike can receive advice about plants and gardening, exhibiting in the Society’s shows, or simply discuss horticultural matters with others interested in the same.

Monday 18 January	Three experienced exhibitors will talk about the selection, preparation and staging of exhibits in our flower shows.
Monday 15 February	Mary Johnston from the ACT National Trust will talk about the Trust – what it is, what it does, and what it can do for you.
Monday 15 March	Kieron Hart from Greengold Nursery will speak on selecting and caring for indoor plants.
Monday 19 April	Phil Rabl will speak on a year in the life of a bonsai.
Monday 17 May	Paul Kirkpatrick will speak on the (not so) grand design.
Monday 21 June	Julie Armstrong will speak on gardening for bees, plus demonstration on exhibiting potted plants
Monday 19 July	Colin Poore will speak on snowdrops, plus demonstration on exhibiting camellias
Monday 16 August	AGM. Talk plus demonstration on exhibiting daffodils and other spring bulbs
Monday 20 September	Talk plus demonstration on exhibiting irises
Monday 18 October	Talk plus demonstration on exhibiting general flowers
Monday 15 November	Details to be provided
December	No meeting

Four shows are held each year, the first of the calendar year being the Autumn Flower Show in March. The other three shows are held in spring.

In 2021, the Autumn Flower Show, the Iris, Rhododendron and Azalea Show and the Spring Exhibition and Rose Show will be held at the Lancaster Hall, Wesley Centre, National Circuit, Forrest, from 11.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday and from 11.00am to 3.15pm on Sunday.

The 2021 Spring Bulb and Camellia Show will be held over three days at The Abbey in Gold Creek. The Show will be open to the public on Saturday 18 September from 10.00am to 5.00pm and on Sunday 19 September from 9.00am to 4.00pm. On Friday 17 September, the Show will be open only to delegates at the World Daffodil Convention (from 12 noon to 5.00pm).

Prior to the show season the Society may hold workshops and lectures for members wishing to become judges, stewards and exhibitors at shows, or who wish to further their knowledge of judging, stewarding and exhibiting.

Shows provide gardeners with an opportunity to show off their flowers, plants and produce in a competitive environment. There are different levels of competition from novice to expert. Also, they provide a chance to see what the experts are growing, and they are a great social occasion when you can compare notes with other gardeners or seek the advice of the experts.

Entry to the shows is by gold coin donation.

 

SHOW DATES FOR 2021

The Autumn Flower Show Schedule Show Rules 2021	6-7 March 2021
The Spring Bulb and Camellia Show Schedule Show Rules 2021	17-19 September 2021
The Iris, Rhododendron and Azalea Show Schedule Show Rules 2021	23-24 October 2021
The Spring Exhibition and Rose Show Schedule Show Rules 2021	13-14 November 2021

Enquiries and entries to:
The Honorary Show Secretary, Phone (02) 6251 2859

The Society conducts an Open Garden Program where members’ gardens are open for other members to visit. Visiting open gardens give an opportunity to share ideas. It lets visitors see what the owner grows, how to grow it, and what has been done to tackle the drought and water restrictions.

Please note that Open Garden visits are only available to financial Society members.

Not a member? Go to Membership to find details on how to join or call 6291 5352.

The Society organises interstate bus trips for members. In the past, trips have been arranged for visits to the Blue Mountains, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, specialist nurseries, and public and private gardens of significant interest. There has also been a trip to New Zealand.

For insurance purposes, participants on bus trips must be members. Not a member? Go to Membership to find details on how to join or call 6291 5352.

The Horticultural Society has a garden at Bruce, adjacent to the Canberra Institute of Technology, where plants are being grown to demonstrate what grows well in Canberra and surrounds. Findings will be recorded for the purposes of future editions of The Canberra Gardener, and information used in other HSOC publications and on the HSOC website.

Working bees are held monthly on the last Saturday of the month from 9.00am to noon (come and go as convenient) unless the date conflicts with another event.

The dates from May to November 2021 are as follows:

29 May

26 June

31 July

28 August

25 September

30 October

27 November.

Participants in working bees must be HSOC members for insurance purposes. For further information on the garden, email contactus@hsoc.org.au. Members are always welcome to visit the garden on working bee days.

 

There are a number of documents reporting on progress with the Demonstration Garden and with the outcomes of trials:

Report of 16 January 2013

Report of July 2014 – vegetable trials

Report of Dahlia Trial 2018

Timeline for the HSOC Trial Garden at Bruce 

Timeline for the HSOC Trial Garden at Bruce January 2017-August 2018

Demonstration Garden Location