Australian Succulents

Media & Presentations

Events Calendar on the left menu has most current and past events listed, most of these are/were open to the public.  Also, guided tours through our huge display gardens available every year  during  April & August.   These autumn and spring months are when we have some of the best seasonal displays of colour. Bookings essential!

Below are all our best 2019 images from the garden put into a 3 minute slideshow with sound.

2019 A Different Perspective of our Garden

If you like this then you may also want to see the 2020 upgrade on the home page.

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One of the most acclaimed presentation topics in recent years was the Botanical Gardens of Australia Tour.

“Your talk last night made me want to go straightaway to visit one of the Botanical gardens. I will wait for a somewhat warmer day though. Thank you again for a wonderfully enthusiastic talk and slide show.” Secretary, Sow and Grow Garden Club, Hurstbridge.

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Speaking Circuit

We regularly visit clubs, societies and other organisations to give presentations on a range of gardening and botanical topics focusing mostly on dry climate plants, specialising in cacti and succulents. Also specialising in Australian native plants for waterwise gardens. 
If interested please contact us for more information.

Speaking Fees:

Melbourne metro:

1. ZOOM presentation (online) $200

2. In person $500

Country Vic & interstate:

1. ZOOM presentation (online) $200

2. In person $680 plus travel and accommodation expenses.

International events:

Please contact us.

We bring laptop, books & plants for sale & information handouts. We also bring 30 years of enthusiasm and experience in entertaining in the horticultural field. (Please ask for national and international references).

In the last ten years we have expanded our speaking circuit to include international events.

          

 Why invite me instead of another speaker?

For over 40 years my professional and private life has been consumed by the appreciation of succulents and native plants. Most of this time has been devoted to cultivating these plants and promoting them to the professional institution, the collector, the gardener and the general public.  The combination of these areas puts me at a great advantage in understanding the aspect of what people want to hear and see and learn. My income is now primarily derived from communicating waterwise succulents and Australian native plants to the world. My enthusiasm adds immeasurably to the appeal and enjoyment of my presentations. (Please ask for references).

I can cover the whole spectrum of what an audience may be interested in. I’m well known for my broad based presentations

Local speakers may cover some of my topics, but none can match how I do them!

Of course I also cover the more typical habitat and collecting talks about rare and unusual succulents, and Australian xerophytes (a comprehensive list of talk topics is on my website).

I offer diversity and entertainment.

Resume - Attila Kapitany

 Awards:

Cactus & Succulent Society of America – Awarded FELLOW July 2019 of this society for:

‘Leadership of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia, and for your numerous books, publications, fieldwork, and presentations around the world.’

Australian Institute of Horticulture – Award of Merit 2016 for:

For his work promoting and educating about Australian Succulents through his website AustralianSucculents.com and his book series on Australian plants.

 

Australia Post 

Years of preparation and planning by me culminated in Australia Post accepting my proposal for the production and release of four stamps featuring Australian native succulents on June 20th 2017. Postage Stamps I then worked closely with the design team providing all the images on the stamps, plus information about the stamps, them the associated marketing with images of other succulent plants. I have other smaller postal paraphernalia projects I’ve been involved with. One is the recent series of four stamps featuring Australia wattles. Wattle Stamp - set of three The images for Acacia leprosa ‘Scarlet Blaze’ were mine. Again I worked closely with Australia Post to promote Australian flora. 

Some earlier history:

1979 -2000 Co- owner and director of Australia’s largest wholesale and retail nursery of cacti and succulents called  Paradisia Nurseries. In 1999 the company had over 80 staff and a turnover of 3-4 million per annum.  During this period it branched into various other highly successful businesses, including  Orchidworld,  Crystalworld. 1980 – 2022 Intermittent membership in cactus and succulent societies in Australia and overseas.

1999 – 2010  Joined the committee of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia (CSSA).

2002 - 2012  President of the CSSA. (Australia)   Life member

2009 -           Editor of the journal of the CSSA.

1989 - 2022  Travel and research to deserts worldwide. Seed trials with habitat data.

1996              Co-authored and published first book, ‘Copiapoa in their Environment’.

1999 - 2004  Co-authored and published the five books in ‘succulents for the garden’ series.

2005              Co-authored and published ‘Echeveria Cultivars’.

2007              Authored and self-published the book, ‘Australian Succulent Plants’.           

1970 -           Authored numerous articles for Australian and international journals

1985 -           Appeared regularly on television plant Shows and radio programs.

1985 -           Start a regular  speaking circuit, now a well recognised internationally.

1980 – 2000  Besides working with cacti and succulents by day, I have a huge collection. 

 

1999 -            Consultant to the horticultural industry, Botanic gardens  and Government. 

As of 2022 -  20 years (registered) member of Horticultural Media Association of Australia

                      20 years (registered) member of British Cactus & Succulent Society

                      20 years (registered) member of Cactus & Succulent Society of USA (Fellow)

                      17 years (registered) member of Australian Native Plants Society

                      Regularly participate, write or speak at the above organisations.

As of 2022 –  10 further books and booklets self-published (see website directory for these.)

A few referrals below. For more details or referrals, please contact Attila:              via 'CONTACT US' page

 

Journal of the Cactus and Succulent Society of NSW

“Undoubtedly, the liveliest speaker on cacti and succulents that Australia has ever produced ..”

        Ian Hay (President) June 2011 

 

CHISHOLM INSTITUTE says: ..a recommendation of him as a guest speaker or presenter

to those thinking of engaging him. Nothing could give me greater pleasure to encourage those of you making this choice, to be entertained and enjoy the passion, the eccentricity and the public speaking talents that I believe Attila displays so well.  

            BARRY FRASER - CHISHOLM INSTITUTE, Australia.  8.3.00

 

Hurstbridge Sow & Grow Garden Club 

To Whom It May Concern 

As the President of Hurstbridge Sow and Grow Club, I am highly delighted to recommend Attila Kapitany as a Guest Speaker. Although he is well renowned as an expert on succulents, our group has been held in rapture by the many subjects he is so very knowledgeable on. Attila has around 20 different topics on which he can base his talks and our group has always found his enthusiasm and presentation skills very easy to listen to and entertaining. The investment (as we see it) of Attila’s fee, is exceptionally good value ,as not only does he inspire people to try new plants, visit botanical gardens, he can also provide for sale, a great variety of plants suiting the presentation. 

Therefore we would have no hesitation in recommending Attila as a guest speaker, particularly to give a talk on the Botanical Gardens of Australia which our group found exceptional. 

Regards 

            Sandra Verdam (President) 9714 8031   sverdam@mac.com

Referees

(Australia)

Dr. Tim Entwisle

Director and Chief Executive

President, International Association of Botanic Gardens

Honorary Professor, The University of Melbourne

Twitter and Instagram: @TimEntwisle

Blog: https://talkingplants.blogspot.com

M +61 417 343 416

Tim.Entwisle@rbg.vic.gov.au

 

(USA)

James P. Folsom

Director of the Huntington Botanical Gardens USA (former)

San Marino, California USA

Ph.  +1 626 405 2100

jfolsom@huntington.org

I have chosen the above two referees for the following reasons:

The first is Dr. Tim Entwisle was previously the Director of the Sydney Botanic Gardens where I also have given free presentations. Then I got to know him from my free presentations at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens and also the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. Of course other aspects of our association are many and varied and can be found by contacting him, but these aspects above are key, and I wouldn’t want them to be overlooked. 

With the USA referee, I have visited and given presentations at numerous US organisations, notably botanical gardens, especially the Huntington where I’ve been invited three times to give presentations. These also were not money making, two I gave all at my expense and one they paid the flights and accommodation. 

The main points combined clarify that I present Australian native plants to a wide audience, without a view of making profit. (Same as for my publications.) So these can evidence my desire to promote plants over money or self-promotion!

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VISITING US

Aside from us going out to give presentations at outside venues, we regularly have groups come to our garden for exciting and inspirational talks and informative tours.

Best times of day are from 10.30 am - 11.30 am or between 1.00 and 3.00 pm. Guided tour are available from your arrival time. These take 30-40 minutes for the guided part then allowing free time afterwards for people to wander around the paths for photos etc. We usually set up a stall with plants, cuttings and books for sale related to uor garden or the plants within it. Everyone likes to buy a piece of the garden especially of their favourite plant on the day.

Garden paths are many and varied, mostly sand gravel and stone. Many steps both paved and natural rock so wheels of any kind and walking frames  are not permitted.

While much of the garden is dominated by succulents and lots of rare native plants, there is fair sized section with only cacti and a fair sized section of garden dominated by bromeliads. Lesser known and publicised is the more shaded parts of the garden where tropical and semi tropical bromeliads are plentiful. It is a complex garden with many layers and dimensions.

We have no shelter for rain and umbrellas are as essential as the cameras! We have no toilet on site. Highly recommend a toilet stop just before arriving. There are many petrol stations and a big shopping centre nearby. Alternatively bus is ordered which has onboard toilet. For emergencies we have plenty of private trees.

Other bus groups have asked for and organised a full day event where they go on to a second venue e.g. Cranbourne botanic gardens.

Garden Videos -  glimpses at two seasons in our garden

 

Winter Highlights & Introduction

Late Spring, Early Summer Highlights

Below are two further links to some of the best pictures of seasonal highlights IN OUR GARDEN that features native plants and succulents throughout the year:

Million Dollar Garden Photos 3

Million Dollar Garden Photos 2

 

Scouts, cubs, girl guides etc - NO FEE, so it is free! We have no covered area or toilets but seating for 30-35 people on stone steps in an open amphitheatre demonstrating indigenous plant foods, plant care and potting up or can tailor to suit your group. Also comes with 30-45 minute tour along meandering paths and rocky steps of our famous one acre garden. It has many weird and wonderful aspects to entertain, even the rowdiest bunch. My wife and I work as a team and are always happy to encourage the love of plants and gardening to our young people. I have 7 years experience as both cub and scout leader (Officer, Vic. branch), so I'm well aware of the objectives of the Scouting movement and also have independent experience with other scout groups being touring around nurseries I have owned.

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Below is a list of some topics about which I’m regularly asked to speak. I also tailor my talks to the organisation's needs.

 

 

Beautiful plant images are just part of an exciting, educational and entertaining experience!

For special or full day events, a second or third talk is available at no extra cost.

1. Succulents for the garden (part 1)
2. Leading Kids down the Garden Path.
3. ‘Creating a Tropical Look in a Cool Climate’
4. Rare and unusual plants
5. Succulents Success (part 2) – includes propagation and nursery cultivation
6. Tropical plants of north QLD.
7. Australian native succulents, do we have any worth knowing about?
8. Australian Boabs, Bottletrees and the Illawarra Flametree
9. Succulent Projects (part 3) Imaginative and exciting ideas for gardeners who want to have fun with succulents. Includes useful, edible, medicinal and lots more.
10. West Australian wildflowers – a different perspective
11. Trees – A tribute to giants of the plant world
12. Australia’s most popular native trees for gardens – (apart from gum trees)
13. Botanical Gardens of Australia - a pictorial tour of some of their best parts and plants.
14. Our National Gardens - botanical wonderlands.
15. Winter-loving Garden Succulents.
16. The value of succulents in everybody's garden.
17. Australian Succulent plants for the Garden.
18. Some cacti and succulents are invasive or weedy.
19. A guide to visiting cacti & succulents in the USA.
20. Bromeliads of the desert and their spectacular flowers.
21. Future trends with succulents and their popularity.
22. California USA and its cacti and succulents.

 

ASSORTED AUSTRALIAN NATIVE TALKS LIST- extra exciting NEW topics. These are mostly 30 - 45 minute presentations and are aimed at introducing the diversity and colour of notable and interesting species within each genus.

1. Native Succulents
2. Boabs and Bottletrees and other extremely waterwise Australian natives.
   
3. Succulent Orchids of the East Coast
4. Ant Plants
5. Gymea and Spear lilies
6. Native bulbs - and other bulbous plants
7. Grass Trees - Xanthorrhoea
   
8. Eucalypts - large and small
9. Carnivorous - seaside swamps to humid rainforests
10. Wattles - weird and unusual
11. Calandrinias - Jewels of the Desert
12. Vegetables - those succulent indigenous food plants

*I can also tailor a presentation to suit your climate, conditions or other special needs or interest.

Please don't hesitate to inquire further.

*SPECIALIST LIST
Please enquire. This list of comprehensive & more technical topics is available for professional or specialist organisations. While some of the topics may appear similar to those in the lists above, botanical plant names are used extensively (whereas the above topics avoid them as much as possible so as to appeal to a more general gardening audience.)

 

1. Australian native succulents - part 1 - Eastern Australia. (Includes some introduced species.)
2. Australian native succulents - part 2 - Central & Western Australia. (All indigenous, including the ‘Wongan Cactus'.)
3. Halophytes - as Worthwhile Succulents (all Australian native succulents)
4. The life cycle of a plant collector - from a cactus and succulent perspective.
5. Succulents - The Future.
   Fashion, fad or a permanent place in the sun. A look at current and future trends both here and overseas.
   What the industry needs to know.
6. Waterwise Succulents in effective Garden Design.
   What do spring bulbs, roses, and formal gardens have in common with succulents?
7. Australian Native Succulents
   Do we have any? Or any that are worthwhile? Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. This covers many rare and unusual plants some of which have never been trialled in gardens before. Also marvel at some majestic and spectacular giant succulent trees of our continent, some grotesque and monstrous, others appearing in need of a hug. Some interesting aspects of succulent plant use in the garden will be explored.
   This talk also includes a colourful visual tour of the lesser known and intriguing wild flowers and plants of the Western Australia wheat belt and the far North West. Including the strikingly attractive ‘wreath' and ‘feather' flowers.
8. Argentina - plants from high altitudes of the Andes down to tropical and subtropical rainforests (all habitat) This is mostly a cactus talk.
9. Copiapoa - part 1 - Introduction, habitat, cultivation and the production of our book, ‘Copiapoa in their Environment' (co authored with Rudolf Schulz).
10. Copiapoa - part 2 - Chile, the Atacama Desert Revisited (5 years later). What's changed? What surprises were there? A team of international enthusiasts and botanists come together for this adventure. Some new spectacular pictures of plants, people and habitat.
11. Echeveria Cultivars - Echeverias are often seen as the most beautiful and desirable of all garden succulents. An introduction to echeveria cultivars and their striking colours, swirls, frills used as individual statements or in creative garden design - ideal for a waterwise garden.
12. Echeveria Hybridising - For over 100 years echeverias have been bred for increased colour, shape and form to what they are today - diverse and spectacular. Includes many of the famous Dick Wright hybrids from the late 1990's. Also a look at the species in nature and those which were used in early hybridising, and the features for which they were chosen.
13. Ant Plants - bizarre and unusual myrmecophytic plants of the Cape York Peninsula of Australia. A range of plants including Myrmecodia, Hydnophytum and Dischidia species, as well as other curiosities of the area including native Nepenthes, our largest carnivorous plant.
14. What you need to know - Which of our favourite cacti & succulents are also weeds in parts of Australia?
15. Cultivation trials of Australian succulent plants - the failures and successes. Some quite spectacular.
16. Bizarre and interesting relationships between Plants and Butterflies, Ants and other Insects
17. Smaller cacti of the USA - a look at the less obvious plants of the desert landscape
18. Opuntias - love them or hate them - many hundreds of species in all shapes colours and sizes in habitat and cultivation.
19. Giant cacti of the American Southwest - the Saguaro (Carnegia gigantea) and the Barrel Cactus (several Ferocactus species) are the main focus.
20. Spectacular Botanical Gardens of the USA - that feature cacti and succulents
21. Succulent Orchids of Australia - mostly lithophytic and epiphytic plants of the east coast.
22. Fire and native succulent plants and trees - featuring bottle trees and other fire-resistant Australian native plants
23. Landscape Succulents of the Future - a look at possibly less common & obscure plants to many in the horticultural industry who are now looking at alternative, more structural xerophytic plants such as Dracaena draco, Yucca, Dasylirion, Dyckia, Hecktia, Puya, Nolina.
24. Aeoniums, Aloes and other Winter growing succulents

 

 

 

 

 

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