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How to prune and feed spring flowering plants Callistemon 'All Aglow' will benefit greatly from a spring prune after it flowers Spring sees a burst of flowering, but once the flowers die off, you can be left with an...
There is nothing more spectacular than the fiery tones of the spectacular autumn foliage of deciduous ornamental trees. Some of the most colourful species such as liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua) and the Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) are propagated...
Getting started with bulbs in the garden Spring flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, jonquils and freesias are usually the first things that come to mind when bulbs are mentioned. To enhance and prolong flowering it is a good idea to liquid feed them every few...
Camellia flower types So called double flowers arise when the sexual organs of the flower (the male stamens or female pistils) mutate into petal-like structures (also known as petaloids). These extra 'petals' create a much fuller look to the flower and can create a...
Coping with frost Gardeners are often tempted to push the boundaries and try new plants that may be marginal in cooler climates. Selecting cold tolerant plants will provide the backbone of a low maintenance garden,...
How can I prolong flowering displays in the garden? Many plants in the garden will give you an encore flowering if you take a little time to trim off dead flowers. This can be as simple as going for an evening stroll to pick some flowers for the house and removing...
Why not plan to add varieties that will provide a ready source of cut flowers for your home? Plants such as Geraldton wax, Philotheca, kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos), everlasting daisies will all provide flowers throughout the warmer months of the year, to name but a few...
When and how do I fertilise Camellias? Winter is the middle of flowering time for camellias with the earlier sasanqua types coming to the end of their blooming with the later japonica and reticulata types still blossoming. Once the flowering season has finished new...
A great way to exorcise those winter blues is to start preparing for some spring planting. Identify any areas of the garden that are due for renovation and remove whatever vegetation is there roots and all. For vegetables and annuals a good rule of thumb is to spread...
Make Edna a proud old Dame. Why not plant some gladdies for Christmas cut flowers? Dame Edna Everage has demonised gladioli for many years but this graceful flower deserves to be considered for its beauty rather than its cultural associations with Moonee Ponds...
One of the most useful of all plant groups is undoubtedly the ground covers. The thing that defines a ground cover is the way in which the plant forms a spreading foliage cover at ground level. They are ideal for areas in the garden where lawns are impractical because...
How do I maintain my hedge? Through spring and summer is a great time to trim up hedges. The warm weather means they are in a rapid growth stage, though if they are hungry or don't have enough water there will be little new foliage to trim. Ensure you feed your hedge...
How do I look after hydrangeas? March is a good time to prune to ensure good flowering for next year. If you have an old hydrangea in the garden and it has not been pruned for some time then it would be a good time to prune it right now. Cut back any old flower heads...
An intriguing way to renovate your garden is to consider playing with existing plantings. The classic example is Hydrangeas, which can change colour in chameleon-like fashion. The colour of hydrangeas varies according to your soil's pH, with flowers turning blue in...
Lawns have become something of a liability where water is scarce in urban areas. However, it is still possible to have a decent lawn and not need to apply any extra water to achieve this. The first thing to do is assess how much lawn you really need in the first...
How do I grow Liliums? Winter to early spring is an ideal time to plant lilium bulbs, which are readily available from garden centres or through mail order suppliers. They will perform best in a well-drained soil and a reasonable amount of shade (up to 50%). Unlike...
May is a suitable time to commence rose pruning in many districts with the exception of areas subject to heavy frosts where pruning may stimulate new growth that is vulnerable to damage. Most roses are grafted and it is always important to look for and remove any...
How do I tip prune my garden plants? As warmer weather arrives in spring most plants have a growth surge. For spring flowering plants the new shoot growth is laying the framework for the next flowering season. You can greatly enhance that next flowering by the simple...
What jobs should I be doing in the Australian garden in January? Watch out for citrus stink bugs and remove by sucking them off with your vacuum cleaner, taking care to avoid the toxic secretions they can squirt at you. Provide temporary shade for any new or existing...
What jobs do I need to do in the Australian garden in February? Plant peas, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, leeks, lettuce, kale, silver beet, beetroot. Plant herbs Plant autumn flowering bulbs such as belladonna lilies, nerines and colchicum. Plant annuals such as...