What’s on offer at our 2025 festival
Bringing Trees to Life – A Beginners Guide to Bonsai
Discover the timeless art of bonsai in this demonstration designed for beginners and curious minds alike. Through the careful curation of tree growth, you’ll explore patience, and the quite satisfaction of guiding nature one twig at a time. This session offers an introduction to the living tradition with Richard Single, who has been practicing the art of bonsai for over 22 years.
Garden Design Fundamentals
Join landscape architect Rebecca Doblo of Myrtle Studio for an engaging talk that explores fundamentals of garden design. Whether you’re envisioning a serene backyard retreat or plotting your next big garden transformation, this session will equip you with the tools to bring your ideas to life. We will work through the key principals and show how they have been applied in some of our favourite gardens.
Basic Floral Design with Phyllis Hoy
Phyllis Hoy offers Basic Floral Design, a session where attendees watch a presentation and gain insights through visual and verbal explanations. With more than 40 years in the Walcha Garden Club (a life member), Phyllis brings broad experience in floral art and cut-flower judging.
Her passion started on the family farm in Walcha and was shaped by Olga Lisle’s decorative floral art and Robyn Lyon’s modern arrangements. After attending a flower judging school in Tamworth 15 years ago, she became a Cut Flower Judge for the New England area, following Royal Horticultural Society guidelines. Phyllis aims to ignite creativity in floral presentation and help participants achieve award-winning designs.
Composting with Berdine
Berdine is the co-owner of The Alternate Root café in Uralla and is passionate about waste; particularly reducing food waste and composting. In this workshop you will hear about Berdine’s composting journey and the different types of composting she uses in her café and at home. From commercial electrical composting, hot and cold composting, worm farm and bakashi bins. Get practical tips on what is compostable, finding the right set up for you and learn how to set up your own bakashi bin.
Rose Pruning with Jude Costello
Learn the art and science of rose pruning in this hands-on, interactive session led by Jude, a seasoned gardener and designer with a science degree, including Horticulture. Whether you’re new to rose care or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop will guide you through practical techniques and expert tips to keep your roses healthy and thriving.
Propagating Australian Native Plants from Cuttings
Join Sabnam Tamang and Kim Kneebone from The Armidale Tree Group in a workshop for propagating native plants from cuttings. Sabnam has a Bachelor of Forestry and a Masters in Agriculture. The Armidale Tree Group produces thousands of native plants from cuttings every year. You will get the chance to learn from their experience as they pass on all the tips and tricks of the trade to be able to produce successful quality cuttings for yourself.
The Armidale Tree Group is a not-for-profit native plant nursery and environmental organisation. They provide quality Australian plants, home grown vegetable seedlings and environmentally friendly tree planting and weed control services.
Soil Blocking 101 with Jacqueline Toakley
Discover the secrets of successful seed raising in this hands-on workshop with Jacqui, a micro flower farmer who has grown thousands of cut flowers from seed using this compact, soil-based alternative to plastic pots or seed trays. These blocks promote strong root systems and reduce transplant shock, making them ideal for healthy seedling growth.
Participants will learn how to make soil blocks step-by-step and create their own tray of 40 to take home and plant.
Growing Dahlias – A Beginners Guide
Wayne and Jill McCosker, from Stanthorpe Queensland, have been successfully growing and showing dahlias for over 16 years. They grow about 400 dahlias and enjoy sharing their knowledge about growing and showing dahlias. They will give a presentation on cutting up dahlia clumps and storing them, planting tubers and growing dahlias.
Wreath Making with Maria Baivucago
Join us to learn the techniques to create a natural bound wreath designed to dry and adorn your favourite spot. Workshop – attendees engage in a hands-on activity, with the opportunity to create or make something they can take home.
| “Eleven years ago, purchasing Rosemerin, launched my career in floristry, allowing me to tap into my creative side for the first time since high school. Everyday people say, “I wish I had your job!”. So it is with much pleasure that I share some of the hints and tricks that I have learned while embarking on this journey.” – Maria Baivucago |
Living Art Workshop- make your own Kokedama
Take a pause from the daily rush and reconnect with the grounding beauty of nature. With Amanda Firkins, in this calming, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn about and make your own kokedama moss plant – shaping soil, wrapping moss, and gently binding roots to create a living sculpture that reflects balance and care.
No experience is needed, just a love for plants and a willingness to get a little messy. Come wrap yourself in creativity and leave with something truly special.
