For a long time succulents have been unfashionable and considered to be almost bad taste, but they are now back in a big way! They’re colourful, easy care and well suited to living in pots or troughs. When planted in some of the beautiful pots that are now...
Sweet Peas February, March and April are the best months to plant sweet peas in all Australian climates, but traditionally Australians sow their sweet pea seeds on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). Plant details Common name: Sweet pea Botanic name: Lathyrus odoratus...
Virginia Creeper The common name of Virginia Creeper was originally applied to the North American climber Parthenocissus quinquefolia. It was later also given to the closely related P. tricuspidata, which is a native of China and Japan. The Asian species is often seen...
Not all Australian native plants are worth growing. Don looked at a lovely native tree which has become a weed. Plant details Common names: Native daphne, sweet pittosporum, mock orange, native laurel Botanic name: Pittosporum undulatum Description: A tall shrub or...
Orange Trumpet Creeper The orange trumpet creeper is a South American native which puts on a spectacular display of brilliant orange flowers from winter through to spring. Plant details Common name: Orange trumpet creeper, flame vine Botanic name: Pyrostegia venusta...
Grevillea ‘Billy Bonkers’ ‘Billy Bonkers’ is one of a spectacular range of new hybrid grevilleas produced by Richard Tomkin at Changers Green Nursery in Queensland. It is a cross between the dwarf, spreading Grevillea nana subsp. abbreviata and...
Fourteen months ago Don created a grevillea garden using crushed sandstone rubble in raised mounds 1.5-2m (5-6′) high. All the plants have grown at such an incredible rate that you’d think the garden was at least ten years old. In this same area late last...
Grevillea lanigera ‘Mt Tamboritha Form’ This plant is a densely foliaged, dwarf, spreading form of the woolly grevillea (Grevillea lanigera). It is sold as “Compacta”, “Prostrate” or “Mt Tamboritha Form”, even...
Gymea lilies are spectacular Australian native plants with large, compact heads of nectar filled red flowers atop tall, thick stems. Most Australian natives resent being transplanted, but Gymea lilies can be dug up, moved and planted bare rooted. Don looked at a...
Hebes Hebes are native to the Southern Hemisphere, principally New Zealand. They are mostly evergreen, low growing shrubs to around 1m (3′) tall. They have dense, handsome foliage (sometimes variegated) and attractive flower spikes in colours ranging from white...