This has been a very gentle winter and we're facing what could be a very dry spring and summer in many zones of Australia. So visit your local nursery and plant now, as long as there are no major frosts in your area. You might be interested in cheerful flowering plants such as hardenbergias, or perhaps some coriander for the herb garden.

Hardenbergia

Hardenbergia violacea is an Australian native plant that can be used either as a ground cover to scramble over a bank or an ugly area, or as a climber if you give it some support.

Commonly known as false sarsaparilla, this evergreen, twining climber has showy pea-flowers from August to early November and leathery, dark green leaves. There are many varieties available, including:

'Happy Wanderer' - vigorous climber with purple flowers

'Free 'n' Easy' - vigorous climbing form, white flowers with a hint of pink

Hardenbergias will grow in all areas of Australia, in either sun or semi shade. They like a well drained soil. 200mm (8") pots cost about $20.

Coriander

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is an annual to 50cm high. In Australia we tend to grow coriander for the leaves, whereas in Asia it is grown mostly for the seed. However, most of the varieties sold in Australia are seed varieties, which grow quickly and bolt to seed. When you go to the nursery to buy coriander, look for a ‘slow bolt’ variety. Now is the perfect time to plant coriander. Coriander grown in the cooler months takes longer to go to seed and produces lots of leaves.

Herbs, such as coriander, in 100mm (4") pots cost $2-$4. They are readily available from the herb section of your local nursery or garden centre.

Further information

Our segment was filmed at:
Flower Power
609 Old Northern Road
Glenhaven NSW 2156
Phone: (02) 9634 3411
Fax: (02) 9659 5800
Web: www.flowerpower.com.au

If you like growing herbs from seed, there's a free packet of Italian herb mix seeds on the front cover of the August edition of the Burke's Backyard Magazine. The magazine is available from newsagents and supermarkets for $5.70.

Copyright CTC Productions 2004