‘Red Red Red’ -NSW Christmas bush There is a new New South Wales Christmas bush which is much better than all others. It is called ‘Red Red Red’! The older variety shown on the right is Albery’s Red. Both plants were grown together in the...
Text © Don Burke. Over the years, the names for wild bird colours and varieties has been rather haphazard. Ornithologists used names developed before the science of genetics was actively in use. These names are now obsolete because of developments in the science of...
The Bird Whisperer © Don Burke. How would you feel if you were kidnapped by aliens and taken to a planet far, far away? How would you feel if you were confined to a small cell on arrival where you were on exhibit, and there were...
Legend, Hero and Champion are all very true descriptions of Ben Swane but Brave Trail Blazer and Immensely Practical Nurseryman are also very accurate. He was a trail blazer in helping the nursery industry progress in so many new ways & brave in taking on...
Rachel, a friend of Burke’s Backyard from the UK, has recently shared her concerns with us regarding declining butterfly populations in the UK and around the world. She has shared with us her article The Ultimate Guide to Butterflies in the UK and How to...
Finch Aviaries AVIARY NESTING SHRUBS. Native plants Acacia howittii ‘Honey Bun’ (dwarf wattle) Ht 1.5m Baeckea virgata ‘Miniature’ (or Dwarf) Ht 2.5m Callistemon (dwarf bottlebrushes): ‘All Aglow’ Ht 2.5m ...
This year’s Burke’s Backyard Winter Tomato seeds include the popular Giant Tree Tomato and three other cool-season varieties for you to try. There are around 50 seeds per pack, so sow these and you are bound to get plenty of tomatoes to enjoy through the...
Living with the bush Reader Meg Blackman’s email asking for more tips on caring for soils has sparked a new series of grower’s guides by Don Burke. This month, it’s all about keeping native bushland plants alive in your own garden. Reader’s email: Don, I was...
How water works in Australia Don Burke says recent research proves that everything from lowly weeds thriving through to ancient gum trees dying is affected by how we are using water on properties close to our bushland areas. With the recent catastrophic floods, all of...
July is the best month of the year to buy all deciduous plants. The best selection of fruit trees such as apples, peaches, nectarines, pears, cherries, apricots, plums and almonds are available now. You can also get ornamental deciduous trees like maples, elms,...