Hovea acutifolia

July 29, 2011

Hovea acutifolia Family: Fabaceae A native to the southern forests of Queensland and nothern New South Wales, this open shrub to 3m is often seen in the bushland and domestic gardens. Though overlooked for most of the year, it comes into flower during the months of July, August and September. It is common to see this plant [...]

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tagetes lemmonii

July 29, 2011

Mountain Marigold (Tagetes lemmonii) Also called: Tangerine Scented Marigold, Passionfruit Marigold, Copper Canyon Daisy. Family: Asteraceae Scrambling perennial plant that flowers mostly in winter, with early blooms in autumn and late blooms into spring. The bright golden yellow flowers add a significant splash of warmth to a winter garden. Needing full sun it will flower [...]

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Missing Plants

July 2, 2011

Where have all the plants gone? This is a question I am often asked by gardeners and members of garden clubs. After journeying to the local garden centre or hardware box-store with the intent to spend money, it is worrying that many gardeners state they leave the establishment without handing over a single cent. So what has [...]

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Poinsettias

June 30, 2011

Normally associated with Christmas on the northern hemisphere, due to flowering season aligning with the festive season, Euphorbia pulcherrima actually flowers as the day light gets less. In other words, as autumn (fall) turns into winter the amount of sunlight reduces and this stimulates the plant into flowering. Commercial production nurseries artificially stimulate this day length [...]

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Acacia podalyriifolia

June 30, 2011

The Queensland Silver Wattle Acacia podalyriifolia Family: Mimosaceae As the name proclaims, the wattle is graced with silver-grey foliage throughout the year. In later winter and early spring this small tree (up to 4-5 m high and 4 m wide) is covered in scented golden flowers. This is a fast growing small tree and is [...]

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Myrtle Rust update

June 7, 2011

Myrtle Rust (Uredo rangelii) The rust was first detected on the Central Coast of New South Wales in April 2010. How the rust fungus entered Australia is unknown. Myrtle rust belongs to a fungal complex collectively known as the guava rust group. This complex includes the fungus Puccina psidii which is a significant pathogen of [...]

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Subtropical Herbs

June 1, 2011

Herbs for Subtropical Climates There is a long-held belief that all the ‘best’ herbs grow in Mediterranean climates. What a load of dung! There are herbs for all climate zones of the world and they all deserve their place on the table… and in our gardens (if we have the right climate). Many of the [...]

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Healthy Plants

June 1, 2011

The health attributes of plants have long been known, but also long ignored. Plants keep us alive, keep us healthy, feed us, shelter us and keep us warm. Yet it seems a majority of people have no connection to their food, their health, their lives! Facebook creates opportunity to have friends without ever needing to [...]

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Ruttya fruticosa

May 31, 2011

Botanic Name: Ruttya fruticosa [Note: unresolved botanical name] Synonym: Ruttya speciosa; Haplanthera speciosa Family: Acanthaceae Common Name: none used in Australia, but known as Jammy Mouth or Jêmbekkie or Rabbit’s Ears overseas. Benefits: bird attracting (nectar), hedging, tough, easy care. Popular with hummingbirds in the Americas. Flowers appear sporadic throughout the year, but my garden plants seem [...]

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Strobilanthes hamiltoniana

May 4, 2011

Chinese Rain Bell, Assam Indigo Botanical: Strobilanthes hamiltoniana Family: Acanthaceae Synonym: Strobilanthes colorata, Stobilanthes flaccidifolia, Diflugossa colorata, Goldfussia colorata Incorrectly named: Strobilanthes cusia Originating from the warm temperate to subtropical regions of the Himalayas, Burma and Thailand, this plant has proven itself to grow in gardens from the humid tropics of northern Queensland well into [...]

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