Solve a problem, find a plant or look for a design inspiration
Don Burke and his makeover team turned a storm-damaged backyard into a wonderful French-flavoured country-style hobby farm, complete with rustic chook house, potager vegie patch and lots of lovely old bric-a-brac. The fabulous ‘aged’ look takes the owner’s love of...
The main function of a lawn is to evenly shed water during periods of rain, so when putting in a lawn it is critical to get your base levels right. When preparing to lay turf for our French makeover, Don first checked the natural fall of the land and found that it was...
Don showed how to use storm water pipes to create a stylish architectural feature for the garden. Storm water pipes are effectively pots without bases. They’re cheap and very strong, and when the plants grow down through the bottom into the soil you don’t...
This wonderful plant is often taken for granted. As well as producing brightly coloured, cheerful flowers, it is the ideal plant for a child’s first garden. The seeds are large and easily handled by little fingers, and the plants are easy to grow. Toddlers who...
Question Time – Tasmanian blue gums/black spot/onion weed Tasmanian blue gums Don was asked whether it was a good idea to plant Tasmanian blue gums (Eucalyptus globulus) in the garden. Eucalyptus globulus is the floral emblem of Tasmania. Don said that this...
After watching our program on the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Jenny Morris fell in love with the new ‘Maggie’ rose. She sent Don an email asking how to incorporate a rose plot into her existing native garden without it looking...
Convolvulus mauritanicus is one of those plants that always does a good job. It is hardy, attractive, humble and very giving. Plant details Common name: convolvulus (not often called by its common name, ‘bindweed’) Botanic name: Convolvulus mauritanicus...
Japonica camellias Jenny asked about the best aspect for japonica camellias (Camellia japonica). Japonica camellias like a position in filtered sun, that is, under a lacy canopy of trees where little dots of sunlight are coming through all day. Don suggested to Jenny...
Don looked at two climbers that will give sunshine in winter and shade in summer, as well as fabulous autumn colour. Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) A vigorous, self-clinging deciduous climber, which adheres firmly to slightly rough surfaces by means of...
Citrus trees do best in a full sun position. Before planting, dig plenty of chook, cow or horse manure into the ground. Ideally, citrus should be fertilised in August and February. It is good to alternate fertilisers – say Dynamic Lifter in August/September and...