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September heralds the official commencement of spring, although here in the mountains it can be a bit tardy, with chilly mornings and nights. We delight in every precious new bud, hint of green leaf and unfurling wisp of fern. The Garden is truly a treasure trove of colour, with camellias continuing their cheerful flowering and our huge collection of rhododendrons bursting forth with their display that lasts most of spring. Magnolias are aglow with graceful blooms and cherry blossom seems to dance with delight as gentle sunlight and balmy breezes tease the flowers and pale emerging leaves. The bare stems of the forsythias and early witch hazel bristle with golden decoration. The pieris flowers tumble over the tops of their bushes, now refurbished with colourful fresh leaves. And all around, bulbs of tulips, daffodils, bluebells, crocus, lily of the valley, snowdrops and snowflakes are bestowing their annual gift of beauty.

Visit Mount Tomah Botanic Garden this Spring and be enchanted.....

Wild About Waratahs!

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Spring is also Waratah time at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden and time for the annual Wild About Waratahs Festival.

Designed to celebrate our state floral emblem and inspire a love of Waratahs in the wild, this year's program includes the state-wide Waratah bloom competition, growing advice, National Parks and Wildlife guided walk, local Waratah Farm open day, information panels, school art competition and plant sales. The Festival opens on Saturday 20 September and runs through until Sunday 5 October. For more information about the festival, phone 4567 2154 or visit www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Guess the Blooms Competition

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This year, exclusively for Garden clubs, we are introducing the Waratah bloom guessing competition. Here at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, we believe we may have a single Waratah plant with a record number of blooms. We invite Garden Clubs to visit the Garden during September or October this year and guess how many blooms our Shady Lady holds. All correct guesses will be entered into the draw for a prize pack extravanganza, supported by Proteaflora, our indispensible Waratah partner!

The winning Garden Club will receive 10 individual prize packs, for use within their club as they see fit. Each of the 10 prize packs includes:

• 20cm Shady Lady Waratah • Waratah glass dish • Australia’s World Heritage Book • Canvas shoulder bag • Waratah seed packets x 2 • Family entry pass to Mount Tomah Botanic Garden • Garden poster • Magnetic Waratah bookmark • David Mackay Waratah gift card

To download a Guessing Competition entry form, please click on the link below.

Document: (1)BloomGuessingCompetitionEntryForm.doc