Kevarose,
I haven't had time to absorb the details of your lovely plans,but did notice The Camphor Laurel Tree!!!!!
At my previous house I inherited a rose garden on one block,and a stand of camphor laurels on a second block,they were about 15m away from the rose garden.The bushes looked pretty ratty and didn't show any improvement with extra care and continued to deteriorate,new rose bushes failed to thrive.In the meantime,I noticed the aromatic smell of camphor,every time I put a spade in the ground on either block!
Eventually,council agreed to our removing of the trees, at a time when every rose in the garden was practically moribund.It was such a pleasure to see new healthy growth on the survivors within 6 months of the removal of the camphor laurel trees.I also have to tell you to avoid using camphor laurel leaves in your rose mulch.
Sorry to be so long in the telling of this tale but it is important to your plans.
Regards Pam.

Omigod, I am soooo impressed. What an action plan! What a vision!

No thinking cap fits me too well, but I'd just like to add my concerns re the camphor laurel expressed by plaur. I lost a whole bed this year within the space of four measley months to the otherwise lovely and useful (in certain situations) CL, which is like an inexorable lava flow with leaves.

I am also wondering about Gertrude as a front of house girl. She can be problematic, in terms of bloom and leggy growth.

But look, who am I to say boo to a goose? Moi, who has made a Hawaiian cocktail of many a garden? I just bow down before you. Pamela.

Bow down to a goose - I am the beginner here! Will take note re Gertrude and move her back - thanks Betsy.

I can't do anything about the CL as the owner of next door "likes it". The roses will be about 10 metres away but I note Pam you think this is not enough. Maybe they will survive for a while at least as the CL is still small.

Perhaps you could use a root wall between the CL and the rose bed.

Hazel.

Forgot to add; I too am impressed. Wish I was that organised.

From your Bed 1, I have Mme Isaac Pereire, Gertrude Jekyll, Blue Moon, Heritage and Lamarque. MIP and Lamarque will need support. Is your intention to have them grow into the trees behind. In our climate, Blue Moon and Gertrude are quite lanky. My Heritage is less than 12 months old but in time I think it will also get quite tall.

You have chosen some beautiful perfumes in the lot. Enjoy.

Hazel.

Offer the neighbours a beautiful substitute!
My visualising skills are practically zero,but I would never elect to have a liquid amber or a camphor near a rose bed.You may also be knee deep in leaves,some of which you should avoid using as a mulch.
My other concern is that in 5 years time,your roses may only receive early morning sun,but no doubt you have taken tree distance into account.
Pam.

Dear Hazel and Pam

Thank you for these ideas - I will put in a tripod or something for MIP but was not going to do that for Blue Moon - can't I let these flop? I can put them more in the middle to back. Lamarque was to climb the bull bay magnoilia that is currently about a metre high but growing strongly.

My neighbour is an absentee owner and comes occasionally and says how wonderful the trees are - not really negotiable at this stage. A root barrier is a good idea and I have lots of left-over dam liner geomembrane and will dig down as far as I can and insert it - great idea! Thanks Hazel

PP46 February 2004 ï The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Mines) 2004 QNRM01263
Produced by: Land Protection Author: Land Protection
p e s t s e r i e s
Camphor laurel
Cinnamomum camphora (Lauraceae)
DECLARED
Camphor laurel is an attractive shade tree, but can be
very destructive. This large, introduced tree
aggressively replaces native vegetation. Camphor
laurel invades pastures and disturbed riparian
systems and is a troublesome weed on dairy farms
throughout south-east Queensland and northern New
South Wales.
Camphor laurel is a declared Class 3 weed, its
control is recommended.
Class 3 plants cannot be sold in Queensland.
2 Description
Camphor laurel is a large evergreen tree, growing up
to 20 m tall. The leaves have a glossy, waxy
appearance and smell of camphor when crushed. In
spring, it produces lush, bright green foliage and
masses of small white flowers. The spherical fruits are
10 mm across, green at first changing to black when
ripe.
The problem
Camphor laurel was introduced into Australia from
Asia in 1822. It has been promoted and planted as a
garden ornamental throughout Queensland.
Although the visual beauty of camphor laurel trees
cannot be denied, the long-term consequences of its
spread may result in the loss of native wildlife and
agricultural productivity over large areas of southeastern
Queensland.
Camphor laurel is considered a pest for agricultural,
environmental and urban reasons:
Agricultural
Camphor laurel can invade and smother pastures. Its
control is a constant expense for many graziers.
Camphor laurel tends to germinate most frequently
under fences and powerlines (wherever birds rest and
deposit the seed). As a result, camphor laurel can
push over fences and disrupt power facilities.
Environmental
Camphor laurel is capable of replacing native trees.
Along the waterways of South-East Queensland,
camphor laurels are replacing the native blue gums,
one of the favourite food trees of the koala. This
means our koala populations may be reduced.
Urban
Old camphor laurel trees develop a massive root
system which may block drains and crack concrete
structures. The average suburban backyard is far too
small to accommodate a mature camphor laurel
without problems. Removal of a mature camphor
laurel tree from a backyard can cost hundreds of
dollars.
Distribution
Camphor laurel is native to Taiwan, Japan and some
parts of China. Since it was introduced in 1822 it has
spread right along eastern Australia from the Atherton
Tablelands south to Victoria. It is particularly common
along watercourses and on soil types which once
supported rainforest.
In south-east Queensland, camphor laurel has the
potential to develop dense infestations similar to older
infestations which exist in Northern New South Wales.
A large camphor laurel tree may produce over
100 000 seeds every year. The seeds are readily
spread by a few species of birds.

Thank you so much,tobin,I was beginning to feel very much like a wowser here.
Regards Pam.

Tobin - thank you! thank you! I shall give this to my neighbour when he reappears and offer to replace with anything else of his choice, preferbably native.

Kevarose,

It might be an idea to hold back on Lamarque for a few years or it will swamp your 1m magnolia. Here Lamarque is a rapid grower.

I don't want to hog your post but am interested in your geomembrane dam liner. We installed this in a leaking dam a few years ago after being told that they make dams in the desert with this stuff. Water disappears just as quickly as it did before. Have you had better results?

Cheers, Hazel.

Kevarose, I agree with the excellent advice, my input would be that maybe a less varied backdrop would set off the roses more- or have an island bed as a focal centrepiece.
Hazel, my interest got pricked up check this out- www.arumpobentonite.com.au/dam.php we will be using this product in our rather large pond- too big for liners.

Hazel

I am sorry that I did not answer your question. My liner is from Merit Linings in WA. It is 1 mm thick and has been welded into the shape of the dam. It holds the water perfectly. I had to push in a large dead tree as I had a possum drown and I wanted to have a walkway for future one. Roos have now started hanging around at dusk.

I have heard of problems with bentonite - I was trying to think of the name of this product - works sometimes and not on other times - I did not want to experiment so I surveyed all the geomembrane (ie 1-2 mm thick vinyl type material that is as strong as can be) suppliers and installers and ended up getting a good price from Merit who happened to be doing another job in my area. My job was relatively small and they were able to cut it and weld it into the shape of the dam and it was perfect from day one.

I do recommend this company. Their phone no is 08 9383 7510

Kevarose

Definately spray straight farmers roundup or grazon on your camphour laurel, then you can say "oh it is sickly, I will have to cut it down, what a shame!

any Weed hater in aussie bush..