Episode: Eight
Date: 26th April 2008
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Story Title: Caribbean Markets  

Ever wondered where all the plants that your local nursery stocks are found? It is in the heart of the Caribbean Markets in Melbourne, Victoria. A bustling hub for the garden centres, landscapers and growers in the horticultural industry, this is where new plant varieties are launched and we showcase some brilliant new varieties arriving in leading garden centres now. Starting bright and early The Garden Gurus, Nev and Trev give you a sneak peek into the latest and greatest new plant varieties and an insight into the professionalism of the garden industry.
Featured Product- Caribbean Markets Melbourne
Caribbean Gardens and Market have been operating since the 1970's when it started with only a handful of traders selling wares from their car boots and water ski shows.

Today the market on the shores of Lake Caribbean has grown into one of the largest markets in Victoria with more than 1500 stalls.

The market offers a huge variety of goods ranging from clothing, fresh produce, lollies, plants, art and crafts, household goods, tools, prints, shoes, toys, giftware and bric-a-brac pllus a Computer Swap Meet Market operating every Sunday.

The Gardens cover an area of approximately 100 acres surrounding the beautiful Lake Caribbean. Throughout the picnic grounds are BBQ's and plenty of picnic tables under the share of beautiful elms, gums and pine trees.

Rides include the Chair Lift (over the lake), Jungle Cruises and Train operate every Sunday, plus Wednesday during school holidays. The train ride takes a five kilometer journey around the lake with spectacular views of the entire Caribbean Gardens

There is ample parking and something for everyone's needs, whether you want to shop, lunch, stroll around the lake or watch the kids on the playground equipment or go on the rides.

Opening Times
Caribbean Gardens and Market is open every Wednesday and Sunday at the following times :

Wednesday: 8.30am - 5.00pm (market closes 3.00pm)
Sunday: 8.30am - 6.00pm (market closes 4.30pm)

Caribbean Gardens and Market is situated at the foothills of the Dandenongs in Scoresby, just 25 km from Melbourne.
History Caribbean Gardens

A.W. Spooner acquired 300 acres of land at Scoresby in 1945 which he named "Dalmore Park" and where he built a French Provincial mansion.

In 1958, whilst overseas, he noticed a new material, fiberglass, and realised its potential in the boat-building industry. Soon after, he established the Caribbean Boat Factory. It soon became necessary to have a lake for testing the boats and in the early 1960s Lake Caribbean was created. It was subsequently opened to the public and developed by one of his sons, Rod Spooner, as Caribbean Gardens.

Featured Plant- ‘Goji Berry’ (Lycium barbarum)

• This is a variable species of approximately 100 varieties, one widely cultivated form for its highly nutritious berries which is commonly distinguished under the name Lycium Chinense
• Native to China but reached Europe in the 18th Century and believed to be a tea plant and became known as ‘The Dyke of Argyles Tea’
• It is a deciduous shrub reaching 3.5 meters in height with arching, spiny branches, bright green to greenish leaves , pink to purple flowers only 6mm long and the cultivated orange/red berries about 18mm long
• It is a frost tender plant, grow in moderately fertile, well drained soil, in full sun

Featured Plant- ‘Volunteer’ (Camellia hybrid)

• Few attempts where made to cross the different species of camellia in the 19th Century until the Camellia x Williamsii was released in the 1940’s, this was so the diversity of foliage and growth form can be extended
• This particular species has dark foliage and compact growth, flowers that are soft pink with white edges, deepening through the season to dark pink, then red, 100mm in diameter
• Heavy textured full anemone form which grows to 2 meters in height and 1.5m in width.
• Grows well in full sun, particularly if well-watered, however will perform best in partial shade. Some burning may occur in full sun in extreme high Summer temperatures. Tolerates cold in all areas. Grows in temperate to sub-tropical areas.

Featured Plant- ‘Mulla Mulla’ (Ptilotus exaltatus)

• This is a genus of approximately 100 species of annuals, perennials and sub shrubs from Australasia
• This particular perennials, native to the arid inland of Australia, the flowers are lilac-gray to dark pink flowers in feathery, cylindrical clusters on strong upstanding stems above lance-shaped grey-green leaves
• Flowering occurs from winter through to summer, growing to 60-90cm tall and 60cm wide

Featured Plant- ‘Hakea Mini Pini’ (Hakea laurina) (Dwarf))

• This genus consist of 130 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees deriving from Australia

• This particular species is from Western Australia which grows to 6 meters tall and 3 meters wide

• The leaves are long and narrow, gray-green and leathery, with flowers blooming winter and spring which are ball shaped and crimson with long creamy styles protruding like pins from a pin cushion

• Useful for hedges but must be trimmed and it dislikes summer rainfall climates and phosphorus rich fertilizers

• Fast growing but not always long lived, they prefer mild winter climates, sunshine and well drained soil

Featured Plant- ‘Silver Princess’ (Eucalyptus caesia)

• Eucalyptus is an evergreen genus with over 700 different species, with Australia being the original home of all but a few.
• A drought hardy plant which will tolerate only the lightest of frosts, not long lived in containers, prefer full sun  
• This particular species is a graceful weeping tree that grows to 8 meters and bears pendent clusters of pink blossoms and large red flowers
• The red brown bark peels away to reveal a green trunk, it has silver grey foliage. 

Featured Plant- ‘Sublime’ (Lime)

• Originating from Darwin, Australia, it is from the Citrus aurantifolia species
• Sublime has very few thorns, small oval leaves, it is a dense growing large shrub to small tree and bears very juicy small fruit.
• Thrives in Tropical, sub-tropical, temperate climates, in open Sunny position, with protection from the wind and is moderately frost tolerant

Contact

Caribbean Gardens and Market

PHONE: (03) 9763 7688
FAX: (03) 9764 9648
EMAIL: info@caribbeangardens.com.au
BY MAIL:
Caribbean Gardens
1280 Ferntree Gully Road
Scoresby
Victoria 3179

Greenhills Propagation Nursery Pty Ltd (For Sublime Plant)
PHONE: +61 3 5629 2443
FAX: +61 3 5629 2822
EMAIL: enquiries@greenhillspropagation.com.au
BY MAIL:
20 Gillespie Road
Tynong
Victoria 3813
Australia

Anthony Tesselaar International Pty Ltd (For the ‘Volunteer’ Camellia hybrid)

PHONE: +61 3 9737 9568
FAX: +61 3 9737 9899
BY MAIL:
327 Monbulk Road,
Silvan,
Victoria 3795
Australia