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 20 January 2025	Mark Clements and Anne Mackenzie speaking on their trip to Ecuador, Galapagos & Amazon Basin.
Monday 17 February 2025	Carol Quashie-Williams – Inspiring the next generation of Horticulturists, plus a demonstration for the March Show.
Monday 17 March 2025	Bruce Demonstration Garden.
Monday 21 April 2025	Sharon Davis – Spring gardens of Japan Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Monday 19 May 2025	Catherine Watson 2WP Effortless Pruning –  Considering the right tool, looking after tools and a Secateur challenge.
Monday 16 June 2025	Seed Bank presented by Arian McVeigh
Monday 21 July 2025	Changes to the way we garden – Biosecurity: Presented by Graeme Davis
Monday 18 August 2025	AGM – Darren Steinhardt from South Pacific Hydroponics
Monday 15 September 2025	Ainslie Urban Farm presented by Fiona Buining
Monday 20 October 2025	Carol Quashie-Williams from Namadgi School
Monday 17 November 2025	No meeting
Monday 1 December 2025	Christmas Party – Bruce Garden

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.

Opening hours for the four shows are Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 10am-3.15pm.

Entry to the shows is free for member and $5 for non-member.

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.

Click here to see two interviews about dahlias, filmed at the 2022 Autumn Flower Show:

1. Interview with Warren Vigor of Dahlia Heaven
2. Interview with champion Canberra grower, John Woodfield

 

SHOW DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR 2025

Autumn Flower Show 1-2 March at the Fitzroy Pavilion, EPIC (Entry from Stirling Avenue adjacent McDonalds, Federal Highway) 

Spring Bulb and Camellia Show 20-21 September at the the Fitzroy Pavilion, EPIC (Entry from Stirling Avenue adjacent McDonalds, Federal Highway)

Iris, Rhododendron and Azalea Show 1-2 November at the Fitzroy Pavilion, EPIC (Entry from Stirling Avenue adjacent McDonalds, Federal Highway)

Spring Exhibition and Rose Show 15-16 November at the Mallee Pavilion, EPIC (Entry from Stirling Avenue adjacent McDonalds, Federal Highway)

 

RULES AND SCHEDULES FOR 2025 SHOWS

Rules and Schedules for all four 2025 Shows (updated June 2025)

Schedule for the 2025 Autumn Flower Show (amended 6 January 2025)

Schedule for the 2025 Spring Bulb and Camellia Show (updated June 2025)

Schedule for the 2025 Iris, Rhododendron and Azalea Show (updated June 2025)

Schedule for the 2025 Spring Exhibition and Rose Show (update June 2025)

Most Frequently Asked Questions By Novices

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 0419 517 877.

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 every month except December, from 9.00am to noon, unless the date conflicts with another event. In addition, the garden is open each Wednesday morning (also between 9 and 12) for HSOC members to visit.

Working in the garden is not a requirement and you can come and go as you please. Morning tea is at 10.30. If you would like to join in, bring a mug and some food to share. Please feel free to walk around the garden, ask for gardening advice, join us for morning tea and a chat, or do some light gardening or propagation of plants.

Please note that participants in working bees must be HSOC members for insurance purposes. For further information on the garden, email secretary@hsoc.org.au.

The dates for Saturday working bees in 2025 are to be determined.

Demonstration Garden Trial Reports

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