20: Gardeners' Circle WA Meeting. South Perth Community Centre. Doors open 6.40pm, plant sales and library 6.50pm and meetings start at 7.30pm sharp. Guest speakers Rex & Jessie Hardy - succulents. www.gardenerscirclewa.com

25 & 26: Floral Fun. The Garden Clubs & Societies Fair. With autumn just around the corner, a great time to add interest to your garden with a wide array of exotic plants grown by passionate gardeners. The Fair will showcase many clubs and societies as well as selected specialist businesses, all offering expert advice. If you’re looking for something to do in 2012 this is the time to meet new people who share a passion for gardening. This is the fifth year this event has been held and a change of venue in February to the centrally located, newly renovated, air-conditioned South Perth Community Centre, Cnr South Terrace & Sandgate Street in South Perth. Delicious home-made refreshments available. Admission $5, 9am to 4pm. Enquiries Helen Martin-Beck, WA Horticultural Council Inc. (08) 9403 0001. Who’ll be there? African Violet Society, Australian Daylily Society, Begonia Society, Cactus & Succulent Society, Cymbidium Orchid Club of WA, Frangipani Society of Australia, Northern Districts Orchid society, Palm & Cycad Society, Robinson Bulbs, South Eastern Orchid Society of WA, Wanneroo Orchid Society, WA Bromeliad Society, WA Fern Society, WA Gerbera Society, WA Hibiscus Society, WA Iris Society, Lavender Fields of Bridgetown, SERCUL, 2WP Garden Tools, geraniums and fuchsias.

10 & 11: Araluen's 10 Year Anniversary Fremantle Chilli Festival. Free entry. Enquiries: (08) 9496 1171.

17 & 18: Open Garden Australia. Rainforest Retreat, 11 Hotchin St, Dalkeith This is a remarkable green garden resembling a small piece of rainforest paradise -perfect to visit on a warm day. The moist paths lined with lush ferns and box hedges wind under a footbridge and around perfectly placed garden art. The lush understorey benefits from dozens of Bangalow palms, deciduous trees and vigorous creepers. Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Teas available.

19: Gardeners' Circle WA Meeting. South Perth Community Centre. Doors open 6.40pm, plant sales and library 6.50pm and meetings start at 7.30pm sharp. Guest speakers Andrew Hall – Hope Valley Nursery (wholesale only) – geraniums and pelargonium’s. www.gardenerscirclewa.com

Wednesday 28: Open Garden Australia. A Tea Party at Hillman House- 10am - 12.30pm. Explore this wondrous English garden with Dr Margy Clema and unearth the techniques used to develop the lush plantings that surround this beautifully restored 1880’s house in historic Guildford. Find out how to establish a classic parterre, blend colours with foliage and maintain a wonderful cottage garden. Enjoy the delicious English teas which will be served under the shade of the magnificent jacaranda. $50 includes morning tea, talk & garden tour. Telephone 08 9295 0497 during business hours.

March 28 to 1 April: Melbourne International Flower Show, the biggest horticultural event in the southern hemisphere. Enquiries (03) 9864 111 or visit melbflowershow.com.au

31 March & 1 April: Open Garden Australia. Krannynook, 9 Atoifi Gardens, Helena Valley Conifers, shrubs and deciduous trees provide a lush backdrop to the bold herbaceous borders. Circular brickwork, rock ponds and creek add a harmonious, relaxed feel to this inviting garden. Stained glass and recycled art are featured throughout as are roses, cannas, cystus and hibiscus. Teas available.

7 & 8: Donnybrook Apple Festival. This has been a long tradition not only focusing on the apple industry but many other products such as wines produced in the Donnybrook region.

14 & 15; 21 & 22; 28 & 29: Mayfield Garden, Mayfield Road, Oberon, NSW 2787. 9am to 4.30pm. www.mayfieldgarden.com.au

19 to 23: Garden Week, Perry Lakes. Enquiries Angelique Cooper, Strahan Consultants, PO Box 721, Balcatta WA 6914. Phone: (08) 9240 8192, Fax: (08) 9240 6291, Mobile: 0424 177 510. www.gardenweek.com.au Email: angelique@strahanconsultants.com.au

21: WA Gerbera Society autumn show and sales. South Perth Community Centre, Sandgate Street, South Perth. 10am to 4pm. $3 entrance. Enquiries Joyce Riordan 9594 0374

21 & 22: OPEN GARDENS AUSTRALIA One Day Place, 198 Hetherington Road, Argyle. Argyle is midway between Boyanup & Donnybrook. Handmade quilts and crafts. 10am to 4.30pm. $6 entrance.

Sunday 6: Open Gardens Australia. Monaro, 24 Ord St, Fremantle. An inspiring 'must see' terraced garden complementing a grand limestone house (c. 1892) and incorporating original palms and sculptured elements by Theo Koning. Waterwise plantings include Mediterranean species, natives and succulents. The garden includes a majestic sugar gum, striking aloes, a fig terrace and coastal species. Unsuitable for wheelchairs.

9-12: WA Chrysanthemum Show and Display, Belmont Forum Shopping Centre, Belmont. Enquiries Frank Blackwell: 9534 8238

12 & 13: Open Gardens Australia. Dahliance, 41 Hargraves Cres, Gidgegannup. Semi-formal dry-climate garden relying on minimal watering from rainwater tanks. Variations of colour and texture from areas of natives and ornamentals set against the beautiful foliage of large cedars, oaks, liquidambars, planes, silver birches and conifers. Poultry; orchard compound; productive veggie patch. Teas available.

12 & 13: Open Gardens Australia. River Gums, 57 Grimwade Rd, Balingup. Parkland garden of large deciduous trees and a profusion of colourful garden beds. Paths meander through groves of birches underplanted with bluebells and jonquils. Cascading creek traversed by bridges; ponds with water lilies and tree ferns. Rustic metal sculptures. Unsuitable for wheelchairs. Teas available.

Sunday 13 May. Open Gardens Australia. Open Gardens Australia. Chris Ferreira's Sustainable Garden - a special event! 11 Mortlock St, Hamilton Hill. Open: 9am-4.30pm. Landcare and sustainability expert Chris Ferreira has totally made over his quarter acre block into an inspiring garden suited to today's climate and lifestyle. The food-growing area has been revamped to make it more sustainable, and the waterwise credentials of the site have been bolstered with the addition of a greywater system, in-line drip irrigation and waterwise species. New plantings include deciduous trees and vines, screening and sheltering windbreaks, and a rejuvenation of the native garden at the front. Teas and refreshments will be available and there'll be plenty of activities for children. Chris will give talks throughout the day. Entry: $8 includes talks. No charge for children under 18. No bookings required.

4 & 5: Garden Clubs & Societies Fair at the Cannington Exhibition Centre, Cnr Albany Highway & Station Street, Cannington. 9am to 4pm. Enquiries WA Horticultural Council 9403 0001.

18-25: Nannup Flower and Garden Festival. www.nannupgardens.org.au. Heather Walford Tel: 0428 302 370 or info@nannupgardens.org.au

25: Dalwallinu & Districts Agricultural show at the Dalwallinu Showgrounds. Enquiries Kirsten Strickland dalwallinushow@hotmail.com

14-20: Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria tour to Hunter Valley Gardens and Blue Mountain Gardens of New South Wales. Garden tour fully escorted by Maureen and Paul Lucas.7 days, 6 nights. Tour price includes luxury coach travel, luxury motel accommodation, 6 dinners & hot buffet breakfasts, lunch day 2 & 6, morning and afternoon tea as per itinerary, entry fees, guides as per itinerary. Tour cost from $2,595 pp twin share ($438 single supplement) and Perth price includes extra night's accommodation in Sydney. Enquiries 1800 034 439.

20: WA Gerbera Society autumn show and sales. South Perth Community Centre, Sandgate Street, South Perth. 10am to 4pm. $3 entrance. Enquiries Joyce Riordan 9594 0374

20 & 21: Bonsai Society of Western Australia’s annual show at the Fremantle Town Hall. Enquiries Nigel Atkinson 9330 6242.

20 & 21; 27 & 28: Mayfield Garden, Mayfield Road, Oberon, NSW 2787. 9am to 4.30pm. www.mayfieldgarden.com.au

2 & 3: Canning Show, showgrounds at the cnr Albany Highway & Station Street, Cannington. Enquiries 9451 1820.

3 & 4: Mayfield Garden, Mayfield Road, Oberon, NSW 2787. 9am to 4.30pm. www.mayfieldgarden.com.au

8: Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival. A unique event showcasing the region through food, crafts and entertainment. Try your luck in the very popular cherry pip spitting competition, enjoy fresh local cherries and the long table luncheon.