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This vigorous and attractive flowering vine is native to the West Indies. Plant details: Common name: Cardinal creeper Botanic name: Ipomoea horsfalliae The genus name, Ipomoea, is from the Greek, meaning ‘worm like’. It is interesting that both parts of...
Mexican Tree Daisy Don looks at one of the largest daisy bushes in the world! Plant details Common name: Mexican tree daisy Botanic name: Montanoa bipinnatifida Description Tree daisies grow to around 5m (15′) tall. They are evergreen plants with large, divided...
This Australian rainforest tree is commonly called the native frangipani, because it produces creamy yellow, frangipani-like flowers with a strong, heady fragrance. It is not related to the exotic frangipani (Plumeria). Plant details Common name: Native frangipani...
Palm Irrigation Palms give an instant rainforest or tropical feel to the garden. They mix well with ferns and when grown near water provide a cool, relaxing retreat much like an oasis in the desert. To look their best palms need humidity and adequate water,...
Rare and Unusual Trees Vic Ciccolella loves rare and unusual trees and shrubs. For over 20 years he has been collecting seeds, swapping plants with other collectors and keeping an eye out for ‘sports’ or irregular growth on plants which may give rise to...
Don was inspired by the sight of one of the most beautiful of the Australian parrots, the Rainbow lorikeet, feeding on the flowers of one of the most spectacular of the gum trees, the Western Australian red-flowering gum. Red-flowering gum (Eucalyptus ficifolia) This...
She-oak At certain times of the year and particularly in winter many she-oaks go reddish brown and look as if they are dying. Well, they aren’t necessarily dying indeed it is quite the opposite. The tree is actually flowering. She-oaks have separate...
There are around 60 species of amaranthus, including weeds, leaf vegetables, grain crops and ornamentals. Many have large, colourful leaves and tassel-like flower spikes. Jackie French thinks amaranthus is the most spectacularly beautiful and useful plant that...
Banksia Serrata Banksia Banksia spinulosa Banksias are the ultimate natural food tree for native wildlife, especially in winter when other food is scarce. Their flowers are honey-scented spikes of gold, yellow, orange or red. They provide nectar for insects, birds and...
Although there has been a long history of rose breeding in Australia, most of the new roses released in this country have been brought in from overseas. Maureen Ross, of Ross Roses at Willunga in South Australia, said that the reason we have not had good Australian...