Solve a problem, find a plant or look for a design inspiration
Don planted up a hollow log with Australian native rock orchids, to create a fabulous natural effect in the backyard. Hollow logs make great planters. You might have a tree in the garden that has died and fallen over, or if you live on a bush block there may already...
Don looked at a row of sasanqua camellias espaliered against a brick wall. Espaliering means training a tree or shrub to grow against a flat surface. It
The wonderful thing about gardening in Australia is that you can create your own fantasy. That fantasy may be inspired by a holiday overseas, by photographs in books and magazines, or by some of the gardens we’ve featured on Burke’s Backyard over the years. A huge...
Pham Bao Khanh Linh creates entire landscapes in miniature. He began learning the art from his grandfather at the age of 12, and his inspiration comes from real life and from Vietnamese culture. The tiny landscapes combine mountain scenes, forests and water, all...
This list includes all sorts of handy gadgets for use in the garden and around the home. Tap Twister ($6.80) Fit Tap Twister over the handle of your tap, and you’ll find it gives you extra leverage and makes the tap easier to turn. Useful for the elderly,...
Don demonstrated how good black kangaroo paws can look in a large, glazed pot. The black kangaroo paw (Macropidia fuliginosa) is one of our most spectacular Australian native plants. It has greenish-yellow flowers on long, branching stems, and blue-green, strappy...
Roses are not fussy plants; in fact they can be as tough as old boots. However, they must be pruned every year to maintain vigorous growth and to keep them flowering well. You can prune in the traditional way (see tips below) but if you can
Many parts of Australia have been affected by drought in recent times. Lawns in those areas have tended to thin out and die back. Dryness combined with mowing too close has created perfect conditions for bindii to thrive. Bindii (Soliva pterosperma) In summer, this...
Hanging Fern Basket Ferns planted in a hanging basket add visual interest to semi-shaded or shaded areas. Planting up a hanging basket is a very easy weekend project, and it
Don showed how to turn an el cheapo, zinc-plated galvanised watering can into garden art. It