There are a number of challenging plants that most good gardeners would like to grow and these include peonies (sometimes referred to as a peony roses as the flower resemble roses although the peonies are not related to roses). Of all the peonies, tree peonies are the...
Pink Iceberg Roses The white ‘Iceberg’ rose has been one of the most popular of all garden roses since it was bred by Reimer Kordes in Germany in 1958. It is popular as it is easy to grow, disease free and flowers for many months of the year. It has...
There are two plants which have striking red flower spires in winter. Both are known as red hot pokers. One is the aloe, a succulent plant from Africa. The other, also from Africa, is a perennial called kniphofia, which forms a tufted, grass-like clump. The plants are...
Rhododendrons Rhododendrons with their trusses of flowers and often leathery looking leaves, are a well known flowering plant of cool climate gardens. There are between 800 and 900 different wild kinds of rhododendrons, as well as thousands of hybrids. Rhododendrons...
The common orchid (Orchidaceae) most people identify with tend to be the Cymbidium orchids, which are grown for their flamboyant and colourful flowers. The climate in most capital cities is suited to growing cymbidium orchids in a sheltered and shady area.
Sasanqua camellias are among the best of all garden plants for temperate areas of Australia. They will tolerate awide range of climates and positions, from full sun through to partial shade. Paradise Plants at Kulnura, near Gosford in NSW, has bred and released some...
A ‘Burke’s Backyard’ viewer sent in a photo of an unusual plant in flower in their front yard. The plant is Agave attenuata or the century plant. Details Common name: Century plant. The common name has been given to this plant because it is said to...
Taking a walk around the streets in your neighbourhood is a great way to discover the plants that grow well in your area. Street trees can also be an important source of shade and provide food and shelter for native wildlife. As well, established street trees give...
13 Best Grevilleas For suspicious customers afraid of evil forces, the baker added an extra loaf as ‘protection money’, giving rise to the sayings ‘Twelve for the baker and one for the Devil’ and ‘Baker’s Dozen’. On...
An abandoned garden is a great place to go and learn what plants survive in your area. Recently Don found a whole series of spectacular red flowering quinces in an abandoned garden. Flowering quince or Chaenomeles are attractive spikey shrubs valued for their...