There was a cat that I once knew, many moons ago
A neighbour's cat, a wicked beast, and yet I loved him so.
'Terrible Titus' was his name, and one that he deserved
Brazen bold and arrogant, He made me quite unnerved.

When I'd come home late at night, In the cypress tree he'd hide,
And box my ears as I walked past, and make me shake with fright.
My ankles he would love to nip, as I worked in the garden,
He'd stare at me with yellow eyes and never beg my pardon.

Loud rumbles from his tum would come, sometimes when he saw me,
But "Don't get close" he'd also say, and if I did he'd claw me.
One day he almost did his dash, for on my head, he peed,
Thru the netting on the bush-house roof, as I worked down on my knees.

He taught me many things that cat, as my company he kept,
And when one day he came no more, the strange thing is, I wept!
Tho he's long gone I still miss him, and with a heart full of regret,
One of the lessons that I learned, was to always forgive and forget.

                                                                                 Denise Horchner

In a sub-tropical cottage garden, adaptations have to be made and many exotics are usually mixed in with the more traditional plants, resulting in a charming profusion of colour, fragrance and texture, with a very relaxed feel to it all. This type of garden doesn't reveal its beauty all at once; year round you will find something interesting in flower or about to bloom. You will enjoy the company of butterflies, birds, and bees, and because of the wide diversity of plants, will have very little trouble with insects - grasshoppers will be one of the main pests. These can be kept under control, at least the enormous ones by catching them with long-handled tongs when they are very sleepy early in the morning. Please don't tell me what you do with them, after that.

A cottage garden can be just as you like it - there re no rules - but generally speaking a lot of use is made of perennials and herbs, bulbs and unusual annuals, and of course the many wonderful climbers that are available to us, plants that another, interesting dimension. Flowers on tall spikes rising above the other plants give the charming, much desired English cottage garden look. some of these include hollyhocks (the biggest spike of all), foxgloves, delphiniums, campanulas, clarkias, goldenrods, and so on. A cottage garden is about plants that have 'more of charm than of fashion' - plants that are very evocative of memories, feelings and associations, and visitors to your garden will often share these with you, some happily, others sadly, but the latter with surely leave your garden comforted.

.........

If your plants have come from southern states, it is wise to understand that the directions shown on the label are not always suited to our conditions. Often when the label says 'full sun' our fierce sub-tropical sun will be too much for them, so place them in a kinder position. Also, many of these plants will grow at least 50% taller and wider as the size shown - remember this when you are siting them in your garden! I have to admit that this can be a bit like a game of musical chairs.

If you aren't already a member, join a Garden Club. There is a band of hard working people who form the Queensland Council of Garden Clubs. Their phone number can be obtained by ringing the Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens (3403 8888) who are always willing to give contact numbers and are very helpful regarding many other matters of horticultural nature. There are well over 100 clubs and various societies including many Horticultural Societies in S.E.Qld. The Royal Horticultural Society meets at the Mt. Coot-tha auditorium monthly.

On numerous occasions people have told me that they wouldn't be able to join a Garden Club because they knew so little about gardening! I ask them "But where else can you learn?" And I tell them that by becoming a member they will also make new like-minded friends. Read anything and everything you can that is written for gardening in Queensland. Many good articles appear weekly in the 'Courier Mail' and 'Sunday Mail' as well as suburban newspaper. Cut out items of anything that appeals to you.

If you have young children, or grandchildren, encourage them to follow in your 'green-fingered' footsteps and take up this hobby, it will bring them much joy and satisfaction for the rest of their lives. Start them off with easy, fast growing, colourful plants - these suit children, who like to see quick results. Let them press in a few runner bean or cucumber seeds among your flowers, or grow some of the wide variety of lettuce that now come in punnets. They will feel so proud a few weeks later when they are able to get something from the garden for you to use in a meal. Nasturtium flowers are always a favourite with little ones as well as giant sunflowers which are quick and easy from seed and make a huge impression!