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The popular ‘Swane’s Golden’ is a fabulous conifer for use in narrow areas, but until recently there hasn’t been a good alternative for people wanting a pencil-shaped conifer with blue foliage. In our segment Don looked at ‘Blue...
Don showed an evergreen magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) in flower. The evergreen magnolia, or Bull Bay magnolia as it is commonly known, grows to around 20m (60′) in cultivation. It has dark, glossy green leaves with a rusty reverse, and large white, lemon...
Don received a letter from Mrs Eileen Fourro, who was surprised and amazed when she harvested her potato crop. All the potatoes were normal, except for one gigantic spud shaped like a pig’s head. It seemed to have two big ears, two eyes and a long snout!
You’ll need: fresh black or green olives salt water sterilised glass jars with lids* 1. First, wash and prepare the olives. Discard any with blemishes, separate the green and black ones if necessary (they have different soaking times, so need to be soaked separately)....
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...