Alison Potter

I am a Tasmanian born and bred, and proud of it.

Up to the age of 17, I was lucky enough to live in one to the most beautiful parts of the world although throughout those years I, like most other children, took it for granted, at least until now that is. Almost annually I visit my family there, and drag them off on a daily excursion somewhere.

Up until the age of 12 we lived in New Norfolk with the "Bush" behind us. It added a difference to growing up that suburban Melbourne could not offer within a safe walking distance. We used to climb and scramble in amongst the trees. There were areas that occurred naturally that provided great cubby houses and inspired our imagination.

It was my Grandmother: Valcia Dorren Thompson who first inspired my interest in plants and gardens. Every time we visited Nan in Huonville it was a pleasant ritual to take a slow walk around the garden. Lavenders grow amazingly well there, from a child’s memory they grew to 2 meter high dense shrubs. What springs to mind most, is the magical atmosphere it created in my mind. She had a small pond with water lilies and ceramic frogs as well as real ones that frequently visited, garden gnomes, and places to run and hide. We would always stay the night due to the long windy trek, as a result we were able to enjoy waking up in the morning to pure silence with the exception of the birds singing.

I had my home built on a small stretch of old farm land in Delahey, Sydenham about 7 years ago. It’s only a small block, but to give you some idea of the problems I have had to face; clay, seasonal weeds, building materials delicately hidden by builders etc.

This is the first place I could call my own after many years of renting flats without gardens. About two years ago I changed the design of both the front and back yards, to replace both lawns with garden beds. Partly due to necessity but happily due to preference. At the front I included a path for the "Posty". At the back, I cut a path around the edge of the lawn and threw all of the grass and soil into the center to raise the new garden bed.

I have made several mistakes over the years, but have enjoyed making my own mark. It’s a wonderful feeling to create your own garden. I have tried to create a garden where children like to run and play. My friends' children have used stencils to paint fairies, kangaroos and possums in hidden places. I have also added animals of different kinds; ie. Wombat, Koala, ducks etc.

I met Anne Langmaid at a planting day put on by the council, in turn she introduced me to the APS Keilor Plains Group. Since then I have progressively been filling the gaps of my garden with Native plants. Every walk around the garden I continue to decide what exotics will be going, and what I will put in to replace them. I continually shout to myself "fill in the gaps first".

It wasn’t one particular plant that started my enthusiasm for natives, it was the Plant Table in October that bowled me over. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The broad range of amazingly beautiful flowers that weren’t just Eucs and Grevilleas. Where did they all come from. I was "gob-smacked" to find that it was the Members' own gardens.

If I were to pick a plant that most inspired my interest, I would have to say it was the Eremophilas. Currently my interests are extending to the Correas and Croweas.

I was overwhelmed and honored to be invited to join the committee and have enjoyed every minute to date. I look forward to seeing you at the next monthly meeting.