Iris Book One of the most spectacular achievements in plant breeding this century is the development of modern irises. There are many different iris species and within the main garden irises such as tall bearded and Japanese iris, exist a myriad of colour and forms....
People and Places
Famous Australian people and landmarks on Burke’s Backyard
Artefacts
Chorney Studios is at Younghusband, near Murray Bridge in South Australia. It is the sculpture studio of Michael and Wink Chorney, a husband and wife team. What began as a small enterprise is now crafting garden ornaments which resemble historic archaeological...
Cubbyhouse
‘Burke’s Backyard’ visited the home of aviation ‘nut’ Sam Grima, who is only four years old. His father, Anthony, has built Sam a cubbyhouse in their backyard in the shape of a Qantas aeroplane. In the cubby Sam can pretend to be the...
Qantas Amazing Australia – Knot Hedge
At the front of Rainbow Ridge Nursery (see ‘New books’ this week) is an unusual hedge. Rather than just a straight row of plants this hedge appears to be plaited together or knotted as if made with a knotted cord. The design is based on a traditional...
Japanese Chins
Japanese Chins Breed: Japanese Chin Temperament: independent, lap dog Cost: $300 plus Lifespan: 10 years Recommended for: older people, singles and families with older children Dumpage rate: low Popularity: increasing, ranks 83 out of 174 breeds in Australia...

Japanese Cherry Blossom
The cherry blossom is the symbol of Japan, as well as being the symbol of spring. The blooming is celebrated in Japan with cherry blossom festivals, which are an attraction for both locals and tourists from around the world. For hundreds of years the Japanese have...
Yengo
Yengo Mount Wilson is an elevated region in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney just off the Bells Line of Road. As well as having a cool, mountain climate due to its elevation, the area is also endowed with deep, fertile basaltic soils. The combination of the two make...
Hillcrest Park
Formal gardens are not common within Australia but Don Burke recently visited this award winning formal garden situated in Sydney. ‘Hillcrest Park’ is a 14.4 hectare (six acre) garden at Middle Dural, which belongs to Charles and Cheryl Hanna. The garden...
Kings Park
‘Burke’s Backyard’ recently visited Kings Park Botanic Gardens in Perth which is full of Australian native plants including a large collection of Banksias. The park also has some interesting monuments including a double spiral staircase which...
Kooky Coffins
The one guarantee in life is that everyone will need a coffin. Susie Croll and Kim Eastman run a coffin making business at Scottsdale, near Launceston in Tasmania, making cheap, environmentally friendly ecocoffins and coffins which can be custom built to almost any...
