Episode: #4 23/09/2006
Presenter: Sue McDougall

Gardeners are always on the hunt for something different for their garden. For many, chasing that extra special plant becomes an obsession and they are willing to travel for hours to get their hands on it. The Forrestdale Garden centre is just off Tonkin highway on Armadale Road, and for gardeners chasing Clivias or Bromeliads it may just be the place to check out.

Since the first Clivia was collected from the Eastern Cape in the early 1800?s many gardeners across the world have grown to love these unique plants. They thrive in a dry area shade position, so are ideally suited to our tough conditions.

The discovery of the first yellow form of Clivia miniata in about 1888 provided breeders and gardeners with another sought after plant from South Africa. The yellow and cream forms are still sought after and Forrestdale Garden centre has a great selection of different species.

20 years of hybridisation collected from the best plants around the world has resulted in a wide range of colours and forms not seen before in Australia. Colours include peach, pastels, red, bronze, plus variegated leaf form in fact there is too many to mention you will have to come down and check it out yourself.

At the Forrestdale Garden Centre you will also find a great range of Bromeliads. They require little care, are easy to grow and reward you with long lasting blooms and gorgeous ornamental foliage. Probably one of the most popular varieties is Aechmea, which has large pink bracts and blue flowers for at least 12 months.

Hundreds of years ago these plants were only found in botanic gardens or the private greenhouses of wealthy Europeans. Luckily we can enjoy their stunning colours, as plant breeders develop new varieties all the time. Forrestdale is certainly the place to come for quality and variety. Become inspired to create a Bromeliad tree and the staff at Forrestdale Garden Centre will give you some great tips on how easy it is.

On this same site you will also find a local steel construction business. There is so much space you can wander around deciding what would look best in your backyard. You will also find a great range of gazebos in varying styles, all constructed with steel because it lasts longer than alternative materials and there is less maintenance.

The designs are only limited by your imagination and the gazebos are available in kit form if you have the confidence to tackle putting a gazebo together.

So there is no better time to take a drive to Forrestdale Garden Centre and discover the delights of some stunning, hardy and collectible plants that will reward you with lots of spectacular flowers for many years yet.

Forrestdale Garden Centre
630 Armadale Road
Forrestdale WA 6112
Telephone: 9397 0602