Bushfire Gardens

The bushfires that swept through areas of New South Wales recently caused an incredible amount of damage. Sadly, some people lost their homes, while many others lost everything around their homes, including their gardens. We contacted Carmel Niland, Director-General of the NSW Department of Community Services (DOCS), to find out if there was anything we could do to help. Don met Carmel at Yellow Rock in the lower Blue Mountains, and together they visited two families whose gardens were destroyed by the fire. Don gave both families a helping hand and some tips on restoring their burnt out gardens.

Kerr garden

Brian and Doris Kerr showed Don the charred remains of their garden, which they have lovingly developed over the last four years. Brian is a member of the Camellia Society, and the garden was planted with many interesting varieties of camellias, as well as azaleas, magnolias, rhododendrons and daphnes. There was also a hedge of the beautiful camellia 'Star Above Star', a sasanqua hybrid with semi-double, white flowers shading to lavender-rose at the petal edges.

We surprised Brian and Doris with 10 bags of cow manure and a truck load of new plants to give their garden a kick-start. The selection included some of the very best varieties of grafted camellias, 'Star Above Star' sasanquas to replace the hedge, and azalea varieties 'Rose King', 'Rose Queen' and 'Redwing'. Don and Brian replanted the 'Star Above Star' hedge. When planting a hedge, always use a string line to ensure your hedge is straight, and use a measure (a stick cut to length will do) so that the plants will be evenly spaced.

Native garden

On Boxing Day the bushfire swept through the property of John and Collette Taccori. It destroyed their native garden, the garden shed and burnt part of the house. Don presented the Taccoris with a truck load of native plants to help them make a new garden. The native plant selection included kangaroo paws, waratahs, Westringia 'Jervis Gem', lilly pillies (including Acmena smithii 'Hedgemaster' a low hedging variety developed by Don), grafted flowering gum trees and many varieties of grevilleas (including 'Coastal Glow', 'Robyn Gordon', 'Ivanhoe' and 'Golden Lyre'). Don explained that the plants were small in size because small, young natives establish and grow better than bigger plants.

Don's tips for fire damaged gardens

Water the garden extensively. Run the sprinklers for hours each day to bring the soil back to life and to give the seeds and roots of existing plants beneath the surface a chance to grow. Treat badly damaged trees with Seasol, to promote root growth and encourage soil micro-organisms. Don't chop down trees (unless you are concerned that a tree may fall and damage the house) until you are completely sure they are dead. Many soon produce living shoots which you may not notice at first. Gum trees in particular will regrow from buds under the bark (epicormic buds) and in swollen tuberous areas at the base of the trunk (lignotubers). Wait a couple of months to see which plants regenerate and then do any necessary pruning. To tell if a plant is dead or not cut a sliver of bark from the trunk. If it looks brown rather than green underneath the bark, you can be sure that it is dead.

Assistance for bushfire victims

Carmel Niland told Don that bushfire victims receive help from the government with things like the elimination of tip fees and land clearing. Rotary and other service clubs also offer help. People who have lost their homes receive offers of accommodation, clothing and help with setting up house again. As well, they can apply for assistance from the Bushfire Appeal Fund. Households, primary producers and small businesses affected by the recent bushfires may be eligible to receive assistance from the fund, and should register with their local Disaster Recovery Centre by February 28. For further details phone: (02) 9683 2388.

Donations to the Bushfire Appeal Fund can be made at any ANZ, Commonwealth, Westpac, St.George or National Australia Bank branches or any NSW TAB outlet.

Further information

Most of the camellias for our garden rescue were donated by:
Camellia Grove Nursery Pty Ltd
8 Cattai Ridge Road,
Glenorie  2157
Ph: 9652 1200

Plantmark Pty Ltd (wholesale) donated some of the native plants, and Parkers Camellias Pty Ltd (wholesale) supplied plants at special prices.

Cow manure for the garden rescues was donated by Australian Native Landscapes. Phone (02) 9450 1444.

Copyright 2002 CTC Productions