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...
Flowering Plants & Shrubs
Pieris
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...
Rhododendrons and Azaleas
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
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...
Silk Tassel Bush
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...
Smaller Native Plants
Some native plants that have been promoted by nurseries in the past have not proved to be good garden plants – either being short-lived or, in the case of trees such as Eucalyptus nicholii, out-growing their promised size and so becoming too big for a garden....

May Bush
May bush is one of the most spectacular white flowering shrubs you can have in the garden, but it is even more so when used as a hedge. The name can be confusing as it flowers profusely in September and October in the southern hemisphere but flowers in May in the...
Grevillea decora
Many gardeners enjoy collecting obscure and unusual plants and a new native which is not a common sight in nurseries is a grevillea – Grevillea decora. It is a particularly showy shrub or small tree with a mass display of flowers in early autumn. Don recently...
Grevillea ‘Golden Lyre’
A new subtropical grevillea variety has just become available. It is a hybrid between Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’ and the species Grevillea formosa. It is called Grevillea ‘Golden Lyre’. Of its parents, ‘Honey Gem’ is one of the...

Growing Gardenias
[metaslider id=31329] Gardenias are an outstanding flowering shrub with an exquisite perfume that creates a magical, romantic atmosphere in the garden. They flower at their best in the warmer months of the year usually from November to May. Their large creamy...
