From dark petals comes a ray of hope

July 11, 2016

Black magic: Euan Laird is raising funds for Parkinson’s Victoria from the sale of the Black Tulip Magnolia. Picture: Chloe Smith

SHEDDING light on Parkinson’s disease with the power of the flower has been a passion of horticulturist Euan Laird. 

Mr Laird has combined more than 20 years’ experience in the Australian horticulture industry with an effort to raise awareness and funding for Parkinson’s Victoria, donating $10 from each of his bare-rooted black tulip magnolia plants sold.

He started collaborating with Parkinson’s Victoria about a year ago after he set up his own nursery, Practical Horticulture, in Upper Beaconsfield.

Diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2012, Mr Laird hasn’t let anything get in the way of his passion for plants.

“It sounds corny, but out of the stark branches of the dormant black tulip magnolia, you get this beautiful flower,” Mr Laird said. “This is sort of like when you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — you can still have a life and have aspirations, it doesn’t have to be the end.”

Mr Laird has headed up Victoria’s nursery and garden industry association and is a former chief executive of AusVeg. “I think I work harder now than I ever have, but it’s nice to get my hands dirty,” he said.

The Black Tulip variety of magnolia was developed four years ago as part of the Jury range from New Zealand.

“It’s a beautiful, hardy plant,” Mr Laird said. “In bloom, its flower is something that lasts, rather than just a flash of colour.”

The Black Tulip Magnolia is available at practicalhorticulture.com.au or in full bloom at the upcoming Parkinson’s Victoria A Walk in the Park from Federation Square in Melbourne on August 28.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/horticulture/from-dark-petals-comes-a-ray-of-hope/news-story/13d16afd384a4318679d1a8aae2c37c5