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Ginkgos were widespread at the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, around 125-220 million years ago. Today Ginkgo biloba is known as ‘a living fossil’, because it is the only surviving representative of a group of plants which was once common all over...
Gordonia Peter Valder looked at one of the very best small trees for Australian conditions. Plant details Common name: Gordonia, fried egg plant Botanic name: Gordonia axillaris (renamed Franklinia axillaris, but still known and sold as Gordonia axillaris) The genus...
Clumping Bamboo Bamboo has a very bad reputation in Australia because in the past, gardeners planted invasive running species such as golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea). Victor Cusack, of Bamboo World at Wadeville in New South Wales, told Don that bamboo does not...
Mondo Grass Steps, pavers, concrete slabs or tiles can look very stark and harsh in the garden. A popular landscaping trick is to tone down these areas using one of the varieties of mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus). Don visited Bronte House in Sydney, where mondo...
Mandevilla ‘White Fantasy’ Don looked at an outstanding new hybrid mandevilla bred in Japan. ‘White Fantasy’ has gorgeous white flowers with just a touch of pink in the bud. Plant details Common name: ‘White Fantasy’ Botanic name:...
Orange Trumpet Creeper The orange trumpet creeper is a South American native which puts on a spectacular display of brilliant orange flowers from winter through to spring. Plant details Common name: Orange trumpet creeper, flame vine Botanic name: Pyrostegia venusta...
In the Southern Hemisphere spring officially begins on the 1st of September, but technically it is around the 22nd of September (called the vernal equinox) when the days are of equal length to the nights. Unlike humans, plants and animals don’t go by dates...
Don looked at a Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) that had been grown as a weeping standard. He pointed out that although wisterias are vigorous climbers, they do not really develop strong stems when trained as standards, so very strong supports are required....
Summer in the Garden This has been a very hot summer. The high temperatures and hot winds have killed or burnt plants in a lot of gardens, and high humidity has caused fungal diseases to occur on plants in many areas. Don’s advice is not to do much gardening at...
Last year when Milton Old of Beauty Point, near Launceston in Tasmania, was watching Burke’s Backyard, he was inspired by the topiary animals and shapes in the gardens of John Mircello and Peter Nguyen. Milton decided to have a go at pruning one of his conifers...