Question Time – Adelaide

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Funky fig


Don was asked to suggest a funky, modern plant for a large pot. He suggested two, the Kentia palm and the fiddleleaf fig.

The kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) has a slender trunk and a graceful crown of dark-green drooping fronds. The trunk can grow 5-15m (15-50′) tall, but in an open position (such as in a garden) rarely grows more than 4m (12′) tall.

Kentia palms will grow slowly in a tub for many years. To keep plants in the same container, replace old spent soil with new potting mix from time to time. The kentia palm will withstand quite dark and dry corners of your house, and will tolerate a degree of neglect.

The fiddleleaf or banjo fig (Ficus lyrata) has large, glossy, tropical looking leaves shaped like the base of a violin. It’s hardy, doesn’t drop its leaves and indoors it is virtually unkillable. It tends to grow long stems up to the ceiling which can look a bit gangly, but they can be pruned if necessary. The fiddleleaf fig makes a wonderful indoor accent plant.

Polygala and callistemon


An audience member asked Don to suggest a fast growing, hardy shade plant to replace a polygala. Don suggested a bottlebrush, such as Callistemon ‘Harkness’. Bottlebrushes grow really well in the Adelaide region.

Polygala myrtifolia

A member of the Polygalaceae, or Milkwort family, this is an evergreen shrub from South Africa. It grows to around 2m (6′) tall and has an upright habit. Clusters of pea-shaped, greenish white and purple flowers are produced from mid-winter to summer, then more sparsely throughout autumn. Polygala self-seeds readily and is an environmental weed in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.

Callistemon ‘Harkness’ is one of the best bottlebrushes ever, with a long-lasting, spectacular display of large, blood-red flowers. It is a hardy, small tree 5-6m (15-20′) tall, but can also be kept trimmed. The lovely red brushes are very attractive to native birds. Being a hybrid, the plant doesn’t set seed, so ugly seed capsules are not a problem. It will grow anywhere in Australia. Callistemon ‘Harkness’ is readily available from nurseries and specialist native nurseries.



Rabbits


Don was asked how to prevent rabbits from getting into the yard and eating the plants. He said that the trick was to sprinkle blood and bone around the plants, and then the rabbits would leave them alone.

Californian lilac


An audience member told Don she liked mop top robinias (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Umbraculifera’), but wanted something evergreen to plant down the side of her Californian Bungalow. Don thought a Californian lilac would look fabulous and its purplish blue flowers would pick up the colour of the house bricks.


Everyone who sees Californian lilac (Ceanothus ‘Blue Pacific’) in full flower has to have one. It is a fast growing shrub to 3m (10′) high with dark green, glossy foliage. It comes to life in mid-summer to early autumn when bright blue flowers cover the plant. Californian lilac is ideal for informal hedges, coastal planting and low maintenance gardens. It likes a position in sun to partial shade, with an application of complete fertilizer during the growing season. Give it a light prune after flowering to maintain compact growth.



Silver birch


Don was asked about the culture of silver birches. The silver birch (Betula pendula) is a deciduous tree growing 9m-15m (3′-50′) tall. It has pendulous branchlets, white papery bark and leaves that flutter in the wind. Silver birches do best in cooler areas of Australia. They like light, loamy soil with added organic matter, and adequate water in spring and summer.