Solve a problem, find a plant or look for a design inspiration
Don received an email from Trina Quadrio, who lives at Floreat in Western Australia. Trina purchased a large urn and plinth for the entrance hall of her home. However, once the urn was in position, it didn’t have the impact that Trina had imagined. She asked Don if he...
Even small projects or small repairs around the home can be expensive. Don looked at some of the great products available at hobby shops, for classy results without costing too much money. Hobby paint: You can buy spray on paints at normal hardware stores. They come...
Don demonstrated how to turn coconuts into some great items for the home, including coconut plant pots, candle holders and soup bowls. What you’ll need: G clamp, vice, hand saw, chisel, rasp, coconuts, candles, cocktail umbrellas, plants. Coconut preparation: 1....
Penny and Paul Cooke-Russell wrote to Burke’s Backyard to tell us how excited they are about their backyard makeover. Over just a few months, they transformed a barren space in the garden into a wonderful oasis where family members and friends can get together,...
Yucca elephantipes, more commonly called the spineless or soft-tipped yucca, is a fast growing member of the agave family. In fact, it can quickly outgrow its original position in the garden, as seen in our segment. Don showed how to prune the yucca without ruining...
The vanilla plant is a perennial vine from Mexico and Central America, which climbs to around 15 metres and supports itself by means of aerial roots. It has fleshy, bright green leaves varying in length from eight to 25cm. Large, fragrant yellow-green flowers are...
Don showed how to propagate bromeliads by simply dividing offsets, or ‘pups’, from the mother plant. Bromeliads are native to tropical America. Many are epiphytes, meaning they live on other plants but do not parasitise those plants. Rather than growing in soil, they...
One of the best ways to save money with plants is to go out into the garden and dig them up! There are free plants in virtually every garden in Australia. Clumping plants such as aspidistras can easily be chopped up and used elsewhere in the garden, potted up and...
Don looked at some of the plants that produce their perfume through the summer months. Perfume adds atmosphere and a wonderful feeling of romance to any garden. The next time you visit your local nursery, think about buying some fragrant plants. STAR...
Don thinks that today’s gardens, particularly in Australia, are the best they’ve ever been. They are better to entertain in and better to live in, although they can be a bit ‘blokey’. Many designs feature straight lines and geometry, giving...