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According to legend, a gallant Spanish knight returning from the Crusades in the 11th Century, brought a gift of great value for his beloved. But to her dismay, instead of receiving a costly treasure, she was given an orange. After overcoming her shock, the lady ate...
Wattles, also called acacias, are wonderful native plants. More than 850 species of wattle grow in Australia, ranging from ground covers and charming shrubs to giant trees that provide fine timber and screening. With this number of species and many cultivars there...
Topiary is a fascinating gardening activity where people can create all sorts of animals, birds and shapes in the backyard. Anthony Cabret is a master of topiary who can transform amorphous blobs of trees into artworks, like his model titanic that is sinking into the...
Sydney International Airport is one of the most difficult areas in Australia for plants to grow because the plants have to survive the aviation gas and fuel emissions, pollution from the nearby cars and salt air from Botany Bay. There is much to learn from the area,...
There are a number of Australian native orchids which are flowering in the later months of winter and early spring. In the bushland surrounding his home Don Burke came across some Trim Greenhood orchids (Pterostylis concinna) which are tiny green orchids that can go...
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...