Cycads Cycads are ancient seed plants dating back over 200 million years. In the Jurassic Period cycad-like plants dominated world vegetation, which is why this era is sometimes referred to as ‘The Age of Cycads’. However, through the centuries cycads have...
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...
If you want to make a difference to the environment it is critical to have some local native plants in your garden. Don planted she oaks in his garden to attract native birds. They have woody, barrel-shaped cones containing winged seeds, which birds like glossy black...
Timmy the Sheep Timmy the Merino sheep was born a runt and his mother abandoned him. Carol and Graham Blaser took pity on the poor little lamb. They bottle-fed him around the clock, and wrapped him in sheepskin. Things took a turn for the worse when Timmy developed...
[metaslider id=31371] Crepe myrtles are among the world’s best flowering trees. They are native to eastern Asia and are hardy in most parts of Australia. Don looked at an exciting new range of crepe myrtle hybrids which reach different heights and spreads, and...
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...
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...