Sydney International Airport is one of the most difficult areas in Australia for plants to grow because the plants have to survive the aviation gas and fuel emissions, pollution from the nearby cars and salt air from Botany Bay. There is much to learn from the area,...
An ornamental grape is a great climber to go over a pergola or fence. It is the same species as the wine making grape but the ornamental variety aborts its fruit so that it doesn’t make a mess. Details Common name: Ornamental grape. Botanic name: Vitis vinifera....
Pansies are annuals which are generally planted in autumn for flowers through winter and spring. In cooler climates pansies can also be planted in late winter and spring for flowering into summer. Today we take pansies and violas for granted in our gardens but the...
Peonies with their large blowsy, rose-like, fragrant flowers are among the most romantic plants in the world. There are two forms, tree and herbaceous species. Peter Valder, who has a special interest in Chinese plants, recently looked at herbaceous peonies. At around...
When you first experience the heady scent of philadelphus you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve gone to heaven. The only mystery is why this wonderful shrub isn’t more popular, because it deserves to be. This super shrub really does deserve wider...
Pieris, also known as lily of the valley shrub, is a charming and versatile plant for the cooler districts of Australia. There are many different varieties of pieris around with different combinations of flower and leaf colour. Some have variegated leaves while others...
People tend to think of azaleas as being small plants, with small leaves and clusters of only two or three flowers, whereas the general concept of a rhododendron is of a large shrub with big leaves and large heads of many flowers. But, alas, it isn’t that...
Rhodohypoxis are small but colourful alpine perennials which make an unusual addition to many gardens. Peter Valder took a closer look at these small plants which are native to high altitude regions of East Africa. Plant details Common name: Red star, rosy posy...
Rhodohypoxis are small but colourful alpine perennials which make an unusual addition to many gardens. Peter Valder took a closer look at these small plants which are native to high altitude regions of East Africa. Plant details Common name: Red star, rosy posy...