Articles
Can I grow Australian Native Hibiscus in my garden? Australia is home to about 40 species of Hibiscus, most of which are endemic. They have identical growing requirements to the exotic species and cultivars that are so popular in cultivation. An ever increasing...
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...
How do I grow a bay tree? The bay tree (Laurus nobilis) is also known as sweet bay and has a long history in cultivation stretching back to ancient Greece and Rome where it was known as the laurel tree and provided decorative headpieces for the celebrities of the day....
How do I grow chives? This tough perennial is related to garlic and onions and the bright green colour of the foliage makes it an attractive as well as tangy and attractive garnish for soups and salads. Like its close...
How do I grow Coriander? Coriander is an annual herb that must be raised from seed. Throughout spring is the best time to either buy seedlings or plant seeds in their final position, either in a pot or herb bed in the garden. Coriander grows very quickly and it is...
How do I grow dill? This annual herb has been used since biblical times, no doubt because it is so easy to grow and has a number of uses, both medicinal and culinary. It is most commonly used to add aromatic qualities when cooking fish by adding the chopped leaves. It...
How do I grow garlic? Easy to grow with the right conditions, garlic is a delight for the kitchen as well as providing a source of fresh cloves that can also be used for medicinal purposes as a preventative treatment for colds and influenza. Each clove of garlic in a...
How do I get started with growing herbs? Herbs have been grown and used for a multitude of purposes since history began, including in culinary roles, as cosmetics, perfumes, preservatives, insect repellants, and of course for all kinds of medicinal applications. In...
How do I start a herb pot? A fantastic way to provide fresh herbs for the kitchen is by growing them in pots. Perfect for this purpose are special herb pots that are tall enough to accommodate holes along the side of the pot, allowing a number of types of herbs to be...
How do I grow Lemon Grass? Lemon grass has long been a part of Asian cooking and the rise in popularity of this cuisine in Australia makes it a useful idea to grow your own. It is a tall grassy-leafed plant that does actually belong to the grass family. It not only...
How do I grow Oregano? This easy to grow perennial herb is also known as marjoram and has a long history of culinary and medical use. The three species of oregano commonly grown in cultivation are oregano or wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare), sweet marjoram (Origanum...
How do I grow Parsley? This is one of the easiest of all herbs to propagate and grow. A punnet of seedlings or seed itself can be grown in the final position in the garden or in a container. Seed may take a few weeks...
How do I grow Rocket (Eruca sativa)? This fast growing herb goes by a variety of names such as true rocket, roquette, arugula, tira or white pepper. Its spicy flavour is reminiscent of horseradish and derives from the fact that it is a member of the mustard family. It...