The stunning flower of the lapageria resembles an exotic tropical orchid, hand-carved from wax. Surprisingly, the lapageria is not a tropical plant. It is native to the cool, mountainous region of southern Chile, where it is known by its Araucanian Indian name,...
Hydrangeas were discovered in Japanese forests by early European explorers, who took plants back to Europe and used them to develop the hydrangeas we know and love today. Japanese grower/breeder Hiroshi Ebihara decided to import ‘European’ hydrangeas back...
One of the best known of all garden flowers: the common marigold. Plant details Common name: English or pot marigold Botanic name: Calendula officinalis cvs Description: Annual plant with pale green leaves, a bushy habit and single or double flowers. Tall and dwarf...
These elegant, South African natives are amongst Peter Valder’s favourite bulbs. They are hardy, easy to grow and they add a splash of colour to otherwise drab, autumn gardens. Peter particularly likes the white Nerine flexuosa ‘Alba’, but there are...
Most people are familiar with edible ginger (Zingiber officinale), but it is only one of hundreds of members of the Zingiberaceae, or ginger family. Many are used in the garden rather than the kitchen, and these are called ornamental gingers. This group of plants is...
Teena Crawford is co-host of radio program ‘Smart Gardening’ on Melbourne’s 3AW. Two years ago she planted her front yard with Liriope muscari as a lawn substitute. On the day Burke’s Backyard visited, Teena’s ‘lawn’ was in...
Peter Valder thinks that this dramatic, South African native should be planted more often. Plant details Common name: Honey bush, touch-me-not Botanic name: Melianthus major Description: Evergreen perennial shrub with a height and spread of around 3m (10′). It...
In recent years, ornamental pear trees have been very popular in Australian gardens. A favourite in cool climate areas is the beautiful Manchurian pear (Pyrus ussuriensis), with its heart-shaped leaves, scented white flowers and spectacular autumn colour. However, the...
This popular garden favourite has long been valued for its sweetly scented flowers. However, osmanthus also makes a good flowering hedge, as seen in our segment. It flowers on old wood, which means it can be pruned and shaped without cutting off the flower buds and...
In recent years an exciting new range of cordylines has become available. They are hybrids of the tropical Cordyline fruticosa (also known and sold as C. terminalis). They come in a wide range of fabulous leaf colours, including bronze, purple and even pink. In Hawaii...