Heaven! A hellebore nursery in the beautiful town of Bilpin in the Blue Mountains.
Robert Nemetz's father started in the nursery/brick and lime industry in Slovenia which he operated until the end of World War 2. He moved to Austria and at the age of 50 emigrated with his family to Australia. The family were sent to Bathurst and Robert's father was sent to work by the government to Palm Paints at Burwood. He then became a fettler on the Kurrajong railway line. In 1951 Mr Nemetz senior bought at property at Kurrajong and started to grow citrus trees. He subsequently bought two blocks of land at Bells Line of Road Richmond and started a nursery. On a total of 6 acres he grew citrus, stone and pone fruit and delivered into the Bilpin area about 12000 trees per annum!
Robert's father ran the nursery until Christmas 1972 and moved to growing trees at Bilpin, where Robert had bought land, in 1973.
Ingrid and Robert married on August 7th 1976 (Happy Anniversary!). As an ex nurse Ingrid cared for Robert's father and was taught by him how to graft and bud. Ingrid promised the old Mr Nemetz (virtually on his deathbed) that she would continue to look after the property/nursery at Bilpin. On assuming responsibility for the orchard she soon realised that citrus could not be grown economically in Bilpin. She moved to growing roses in open ground for cut flower sellers and other "run of the mill" nursery items.
Ingrid fell in love with hellebores about 25 years ago. She stopped growing the roses and other items and decided to specialise in these beautiful flowers, which have their origins in Russia, Greece and Italy.
Hellebores can only be grown from seed or division. She has two lots of production
1. seed from a producer in Tasmania and
2. her own hand pollinated stock.
Her hellebores are sold through the Farm Gate Trail when she opens the nursery from June until September and Ingrid also wholesales Australia wide.
Ingrid has stayed faithful to her love for hellebores because she "loves the challenge of newness." A whole new world opened up to her when the double varieties were discovered and she finds the process of waiting to see what may have been propagated incredibly rewarding.
Just walking around the nursery is intoxicating - these flowers may have no scent but they are surely some of the prettiest plants available to us.
Helleborus Down Under
13 Mountain Lagoon Road
Bilpin
02 4567 1107
Please visit the Hawkesbury Harvest website..
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