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Rhapis Palms are great as indoor plants and like most good indoor plants they come from a sub-tropical to tropical rainforest in south-east China where there isn’t much natural light. There are two sorts of Rhapis palms suitable for indoor living. Plant details...
It is said that if you catch a falling autumn leaf before it hits the ground you will have one month of good luck. So if you catch 12 of them you’ll have a whole year of good luck and the luckiest leaf of all is the last leaf to fall from any tree. The only...
The Golden Robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’) was a vogue tree in Australian gardens and landscapes during the 1980s and is still popular today. It is widely used as a street tree, particularly in polluted areas and, because of its small size and...
Tuberous begonias (Begonia Tuberhybrida Hybrids) are among the most spectacular of all begonias but they are also the most difficult to grow. But, if you don’t mind a challenge (these plants are definitely hobbyist plants), the results can be very rewarding....
In recent years some of the most exciting new plants to become available in Australia are the dwarf lilly pillies. A close relative of these plants is Uromyrtus ‘Weeping Beauty’ which has a spreading weeping habit. Plant Details Common Name: Uromyrtus...
The winner of the Bedding Plants of Australia’s Flower of the Year for 1998 is Waltzing Petunia. Petunias are the most popular flowering annuals in Australia and are suitable to plant now and will flower well into the new year. Plant details Common name:...
Michelias are one of the best ever flowering trees. New smaller growing varieties are now available. Details Common name: Michelia Botanic name: Michelia doltsopa ‘Scented Pearl’ and Michelia doltsopa x M. figo ‘Mixed Up Miss’. The genus name...
To create harmony in your garden it is important to match the colours of your plants with those of the surrounding hard structures such as the walls of your house, paving and the like. Plant colour comes mainly from the colour of the leaves (which may vary throughout...
Camellia reticulata, introduced in Australia 30 years ago, is less commonly known in the camellia family. Yet as the largest flowering of the entire camellia group, it is spectacular. Reticulata refers to the strong veining or reticulated pattern in the leaves. Plant...
Palms and ferns are often associated with tropical climates but ‘Burke’s Backyard’ recently looked at some palms and ferns which can grow in colder areas. Palms for cool climates Dwarf sugar palm (Arenga engleri): A small growing, clump-forming palm...