Reap Success by Growing for Local Conditions

 The third in a series of 'getting to know our gardening
  neighbours'..

                         'Rose garden full of joyfulness'*


 Robert Hicks tends to his beautiful blooms

From his compact garden in Hindmarsh Circuit at Mawson Lakes, Robert Hicks has produced champion roses that have won prizes from the Rose Society of South Australia. One of his favourite bushes is ‘Love’s Gift’, a tall, robust bush with pink and cream blooms that grows in the front garden near his letterbox.

On his small block overlooking the wetland in Shoalhaven Village, Robert manages to grow more than 70 roses, from miniatures in pots to towering hybrid teas. The roses are inter-planted with lavender and other water saving plants.  

Robert says that well fertilized soil is an important ingredient in his success. He uses Seamungus in the cool weather and Sudden Impact for Roses in the flowering season.

Some of his favourite rose varieties that seem well-suited to Mawson Lakes are the heavenly perfumed Joyfulness, Marilyn Monroe, Lynn Anderson, Gold Medal and Cardinal.  

“My advice to Mawson Lakes gardeners who are selecting roses is to look at ‘Australia’s True Blue Collection’ as these roses have been bred for our conditions,” he said.   

Robert has the green finger in the family, but his wife, Cherie, uses the dried rose petals and aromatic lavender in her craft work.


*Article & photograph kindly submitted by Linda Vining, organiser of the 2010 Mawson Lakes Garden Competition, for inclusion on the Mawson Lakes Community Website.  
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