Don looks at one of his all time favourite camellias, ‘Yuletide’. In Australia this plant produces stunning red flowers from March to July, but in the northern hemisphere its flower display coincides with the Christmas season. Plant details Common name:...
Abutilons or Chinese lanterns are closely related to hibiscus, and most of the hundred or so species have pendulous, hibiscus-like flowers. Cultivars produced by hybridising some of the South American abutilons have all been placed in one group known as Abutilon x...
Mother’s Day is when traditionally Australians present their mums with a bunch of chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums are naturally in season in Australia in autumn, so are cheap and plentiful in time for Mother’s Day. Plant details Common name: Chrysanthemum...
The latest trend when it comes to roses is a move away from the cottage garden towards free flowering, fragrant roses which can be used for privacy and screening. These types of roses often have climbing or semi-climbing growth habits, and they add a wonderful,...
Cymbidium orchids are grown for their flamboyant and colourful flowers. The climate in most capital cities is suited to growing cymbidium orchids in a sheltered, shady area. This sets them apart from many of the more tender, tropical orchids such as slipper orchids...
Cosmos ‘Bright Eyes’ Cosmos ‘Bright Eyes’ is a beautiful summer annual in the Yates packet seed range. The semi-double flowers are all in warm colours, from scarlet through to orange and yellow. The seeds can be started in trays of seed raising...
This showy climber from tropical America is very popular in warm climate gardens, where it is often seen growing on fences, walls and pergolas. It produces large, stunning yellow flowers over several months of the year. The genus name commemorates Dr. Frederic...
Evergreen foliage plants are wonderful in the garden, because they give you stunning colour all year round. Many plants with brilliantly coloured leaves belong to the family Amaranthaceae. They include the popular bloodleaf (Iresine herbstii) with its bright red...
Coordinating the colours in your garden can sometimes be difficult. Don looked at a soft blue and apricot colour combination that works beautifully: the small perennial wallflower ‘Apricot Twist’ planted with a plumbago called ‘Royal Cape’....
Lawn is very difficult to grow in a damp, shady, position. One solution is to do away with the lawn and pave the area. An even better idea is to plant a groundcover such as the Australian native violet (Viola hederacea), which thrives in moist areas and will still...