In the Garden

Gardenia ‘Ocean Pearl’ Don looked at an old fashioned variety of gardenia that’s been re-released recently with a new name. Like most gardenias, ‘Ocean Pearl’ has beautiful, fragrant white flowers. The only exception is a variety called...

Golden Candles This Central and South American native is a close relative of the shrimp, or prawn plant (Justicia spp). It is grown mainly for its bright yellow bracts, rather than for its insignificant white flowers. Golden Candles is very climate sensitive, and is...

Peter Valder is particularly fond of the williamsii camellias. These are hybrids between Camellia japonica and a wild camellia from Western China, Camellia saluenensis. They are named after John Charles Williams, who planted seeds of C. saluenensis in his Cornwall...

Don looks at one of his all time favourite camellias, ‘Yuletide’. In Australia this plant produces stunning red flowers from March to July, but in the northern hemisphere its flower display coincides with the Christmas season. Plant details Common name:...

Abutilons or Chinese lanterns are closely related to hibiscus, and most of the hundred or so species have pendulous, hibiscus-like flowers. Cultivars produced by hybridising some of the South American abutilons have all been placed in one group known as Abutilon x...

Mother’s Day is when traditionally Australians present their mums with a bunch of chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums are naturally in season in Australia in autumn, so are cheap and plentiful in time for Mother’s Day. Plant details Common name: Chrysanthemum...

The latest trend when it comes to roses is a move away from the cottage garden towards free flowering, fragrant roses which can be used for privacy and screening. These types of roses often have climbing or semi-climbing growth habits, and they add a wonderful,...

Cosmos ‘Bright Eyes’ Cosmos ‘Bright Eyes’ is a beautiful summer annual in the Yates packet seed range. The semi-double flowers are all in warm colours, from scarlet through to orange and yellow. The seeds can be started in trays of seed raising...

Cuphea Cupheas are native to Mexico and Brazil. There are around two hundred and sixty species and they are mostly low growing annuals, perennials or shrubs with tubular flowers and small leaves. Don looked at two new varieties, ‘Starfire’ and ‘Tiny...

Daphne This large genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs was named after a nymph in Greek mythology called Daphne. After being chased by the sun god Apollo, Daphne prayed to her father, who was a river god, to save her. The river god changed her into a bay tree!...