March Happenings

We’re sort of between seasons at the moment, the summer flowering plants have just about finished and soon many of the trees will be decked out in their beautiful red, yellow and brown autumn colours. Even so, Don still managed to find plenty of things happening in the garden – a few good plants which are flowering and fruiting, and he also looked at a really easy way to turn on those taps!

Tap Twister

Fit Tap Twister over the handle of your tap, and you’ll find it gives you extra leverage and makes the tap easier to turn. Useful for the elderly, physically impaired and arthritis sufferers. Available at major hardware stores and supermarkets throughout Australia, rrp $5.95.

Japanese wind flowers (Anemone x hybrida)

Hardy perennials which grow to about 1m (3′) tall. The flowers come as singles or doubles in a wide range of colours including white, pink and a rosy red with golden centres. They die down in winter, when they can be divided up and spread throughout the garden. 

Climate: Best south from Brisbane and Perth. They need protection from hot sun and drying winds in summer.

Uses:

border plants in woodland gardens mass plantings cut flowers

Getting started:

You’ll find Japanese windflowers at your local nursery. Plants in flower start from around $12.95 for180mm (7″) sized pots. They are also available from mail order and perennial specialists.

Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha)

A cottage-style plant with beautiful silver green foliage, and furry white and purple flowers. It grows from creeping rhizomes under the ground, and forms a clump about 1m (3′) tall. Unlike other salvias, this one won’t go berserk in your garden.

Best climate:

Most areas of Australia, except the hot, tropical north. In very cold or mountain areas it must be protected against frosts.

Getting started:

Plants should be available at nurseries in most areas throughout the year, or you could try ordering it directly from mail-order and perennial specialists.

   

Walnut tree (Juglans sp.)

 

Deciduous trees with handsome aromatic foliage and catkins of greenish flowers, followed (if you’re patient) by edible nuts.

Best climate: Walnuts grow well in the cooler areas of Australia.

Uses:

beautiful ornamental trees for parks or large gardens fruit (nuts) fine timber

Getting started:

Walnuts trees may not be easy to find, so the best bet would be to try ordering one through your local nursery or garden centre.