About the Garden Magazine Summer 2014-2015 Issue 71

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care

Bee Magnets Going Troppo What to plant now!

Hot Hibiscus

New Season beauties

Su mmer

2014-15

ISSUE 71

For more gardening hints & tips, visit www.aboutthegarden.com.au

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Saint of the Prayer to St Jude - ‘The Patron Hopeless & Despaired‛. deus, I salute Oh, glorious Apostle, St Jude Thad rt of Jesus.

Hea ed Sacr most the ugh thro you martyrdom for Thou who didst gloriously suffer beseech you, I ter, Mas e Divin the love of your ain always faithful obtain for me the grace to rem Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Front Cover Photography: Sunpatiens ‘Lilac’.

Available from your local garden retailer this summer!

Managing Director: Conway Searle Contributors: Claire Bickle, Noel Burdette, Dana Flanney & Chelsea van Rijn.

Magazine Manager: Alana Searle Design & Layout: Alana Searle ATG Group Co-ordinator & Advertising: Jason Searle About the Garden is published seasonally by About the Garden Pty. Ltd. ABN 21 076 919 992 • 4914 D’Aguilar Highway, Kilcoy or P.O. Box 70, Kilcoy Qld. 4515 Phone: (07) 5422 3090 • Fax: (07) 5497 2287 Email: atg@aboutthegarden.com.au The material appearing in About the Garden is subject to copyright. Other than as permitted by the Copyright Act, no part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers. No responsibility is accepted by About the Garden Pty. Ltd. for the accuracy of information contained in the text, illustrations or advertisements. Although believed to be accurately and correctly sourced, thereof disclaims any liability against itself, editor/s or employees arising from any person acting on the material herein. The opinions expressed in the magazine, or by contributors, do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. ©Copyright 2014 About the Garden Pty. Ltd.

The About the Garden Magazine is proudly produced from sustainable resources.

Issue 71

2014/15

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Undoubtedly one of the most talked about topics in gardening over recent times has been pollination, or should that be the lack off.

Noel Burdette

Bees love Italian lavender.

The success of all fruiting crops in our backyards can be attributed one hundred percent to the effectiveness of pollinators within the flowers and Australian gardeners have not been immune to effects of dwindling honey bee populations that have been witnessed on a global scale.

If we wish to see more bee activity in our gardens then we have no option but to take a closer look at some species of plants that help pollinate our productive plants. For a foraging bee, or any bee for that matter, having a fruiting tree or vine is simply not enough. Bees are attracted to flowering plants.

Here are my top six choices you may like to try in your garden that are easy to obtain and care for.

5 Corymbia ‘Summer Beauty’

Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’

Callistemon viridiflorus

Wild Rocket

Nasturtiums

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Gaura lindheimeri

Some other wonderful

• Euphorbia “Diamond Frost” • Gazania • Flowering Aloes (assorted cultivars from Aloe Aloe)

Perennial Basil

• Butterfly bush (Gaura lindheimeri) • Feverfew (tancetum parthenium) • Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) • Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) • Chicory (Cichorium intybus) • Cone flower (Echinacea) • Echinacea purpurea • Borage

Borage

Echinacea purpurea

Cosmos

Chelsea Van Rijn

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Brom Colour

8 Claire Bickle

Visions that come to mind when someone says ‘tropical garden’ can include a riot of coloured foliaged plants, palms as canopies, brightly coloured flowers, some with heady fragrances such gardenias and orchids and of course water features are also an important design aspect, creating a relaxing and cooling effect whether still or moving. Focal interests within the garden can be achieved by incorporating sculptures and other landscaping features such as bridges, stone pathways and pavilions. All these can add more dimensions to the garden. In this article I am showcasing a mere handful of plants that can add that tropical feel to a garden, that are easy to grow and readily available to the home gardener.

Clivia miniata

The Poinciana is a tree for the larger garden.

Plumeria rubra ‘Frang ipani.

What tropical garden would be complete without a frangipani tree?

Allamanda cathartica ‘Schottii’

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Brazilian Red Cloak

Mist Flower: Bartlettina sordida

Blue Ginger

Crotons an d Bromelia ablaze in ds a full sun location

Cordylines come in a rainbow of colours

10 ‘You & M e’ for displa Hydrangeas are g ys in con tainers o reat patios a n nd add a stu around e ntertainm nning display ent area s.

Hydrangea ‘You & Me’ Series Flowering: Flower displays begin in early summer and are long lasting. These new forms of double flowers are large, rounded and prolific.

Size: 80cm H x 1m spread.

Varieties: Available in colours from pastel pink, lilac and blue to deeper, brighter shades.

Position: Ideal for container and small garden planting in shady areas around entertainment sections of the garden.

This frost hardy variety can also withstand high temperatures and benefits from a pruning during winter. Feed in early spring with Robust® Flower Booster.

we

love

Hydrangea ‘Obsidian Collection’ Flowering: Flower display begins in late spring.

Habit: A vigorous growing hydrangea variety with stunning long, black stems that create interest when used as a cut flower.

Size: 1.2m H x 1.2m W Varieties: White Knight, Black Lace and Storm Cloud.

Hydrangeas can be planted in most soil types with free draining soil. Water deeply during hot, dry periods of weather.

White Knight

Storm Cloud

Try Agapanthus ‘Goldstrike’ for its variegated foliage.

Agapanthus ‘Goldstrike, ‘Baby Pete’ and ‘Golden Drop’ are low maintenance, dry tolerant and also look great in garden beds or/and on the patio. Remove old flower heads once flowers are finished if desired.

Mass plant for a no fuss ground cover, path or to soften driveway edging. Plant in garden beds mixed with 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food or for pots use a quality potting mix like Searles Peat 80 Potting Mix.

Agapanthus Golden Drop ®

Flowering: Sky blue flowers consistently appearing through spring and summer. Flowers sit high above the foliage to about 40cm.

Habit: Ultra compact habit with narrow variegated leaf.

Size: 25cm H x 25cm spread.

Position: Full sun to part shade.

Agapanthus Baby Pete ®

Agapanthus ‘Golden Drop’ - performs well in difficult to grow locations in full sun - coastal gardens.

Agapanthus ‘Goldstrike’ & ‘Golden Drop’ are available readily in QLD and other states in limited supply.

Agapanthus ‘Baby Pete’ for a more compact form.

Available all states.

Flowering: Long flowering - throughout warmer months Habit: Dwarf evergreen variety with compact mound forming foliage and flower stems only reaching to approx. 35cm.

Size: 20cm H x 40cm spread.

Position: Full sun. Ideal for container planting, small gardens, mediterranean-style gardens and coastal regions.

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SunPatiens Impatiens hawkeri

White

®

Flowering: Spring, Summer to Autumn Habit: Mounded, Spreading Size: 45- 90cm H x 60 - 120cm W Position: Full Sun to shade Colours: Hot Coral (NEW) Blush Pink, Light Coral, Deep Rose, Electric Orange, Lilac, Red, Magenta, Orange, Red, Corona (unique Salmon Orange tones), Carmine Red and white.

SunPatiens® offer unrivalled three-season flower power as the first impatiens to flourish in full sun, withstand heat, humidity, rain and shade!

SunPatiens® are less prone to disease and damage throughout the year.

With non-stop colour and larger flowers, SunPatiens® are an ideal plant for landscape environments, mass plantings, hanging basket situations or container displays. A single plant covers a large area without any need for replanting during the season. They are the perfect choice for worry free colour in the garden. Water with Searles Flourish® every two weeks for better flowering.

Red

Blush Pink - Great in hanging baskets displays

Hot Coral

Syzygium ‘Big Red’

Big Red plants make a great screening display.

Plant this medium growing Lillypilly for its large glossy leaves, dark crimson new growth, excellent topiary and hedging properties.

White flowers are borne over summer followed by edible berries that attract native birds. Hardy, frost and dry tolerant once established. Responds well to shaping. 4m H x 2.5m W. Plant in full sun to part shade with Searles Garden Soil Mix. Prune to shape during early spring to encourage dense habit.

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Recipe from: Food before 5 – a cookbook full of simple, affordable & make ahead meals Website: www.foodbefore5.com.au Blog: www.foodbefore5.blogspot.com

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Recipe from ATG reader Dana Flannery.

If you have a favourite recipe you would like to share with our readers send it in to us.

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Plant red anthuriums with white spathiphyllums for a stunning Christmas display for the patio. ALL ZONES

This Christmas or for their next birthday why not foster the love of gardening and spending time with the young ones by stuffing into their stocking a garden starter kit. Their very own watering can, a few packets of seeds and a patch of the garden to call they own will start their own relationship with nature.

Tomato, lettuce, beans and sunflower seeds are a great choice for starters.

Easy Terrariums

Terrariums are a wonderful way to bring a mini garden indoors. Terrariums are low maintenance gardens that provide their own microclimate in a bowl. Small succulents, indoor foliage plants and pebbles are ideal to use. http://www.aboutthegarden.com.au/index. php/easy-as-create-a-succulent-terrarium/

Poinsettia

Poinsettia

Traditionally associated with Christmas throughout the western world, these subtropical beauties need full sun to flower and grow well so will need to be planted out into the garden after a week or two indoors at the most. Growing to a small shrub, these hardy plants prefer a warm, sunny position and will stay lush and compact with a hard pruning in early spring. They also grow well in large pots.

For more information on garden hint & tips and what’s on visit

www.aboutthegarden.com.au

17

Now is the time you should be seeing developing mangoes on your tree. Keep an eye out for a fungal disease - Anthracnose, which can come on very quickly and during long periods of wet weather. The fungus appears as irregular shaped black spots and can spread very quickly and attack ower panicles, fruit and young developing leaves, preventing fruit development. Treat disease with alternative sprays of Mancozeb and Copper Oxchloride.

New Zealand Christmas Bush (Metrosideros spp.) bears gorgeous, fiery-red flowers over summer. Tough-as-boots once established, it takes dry or coastal gardens, frosts or inland conditions. Its silvery-green foliage responds well to pruning and makes it attractive even when not in flower.

When developing fruit is near ripening, protect from marauding birds and bats by draping a bird-safe net over the tree.

After harvest, feed trees generously with Searles Kickalong Fruit & Flower Organic Plant Food. Pick mangoes and cut up and freeze any excess fruit for later use.

Try planting Celosias in your garden this summer for an unusual and striking display for borders, edging and for potted colour around patios. Their showy comb-like plumes stand above the foliage. Plant in full sun and water regularly.

Anthracnose on mango leaves

Use DAVID GRAYS’ Ant and TERMITE SPRAY for termite and insect control.

18

...continued from page 17

Visit your local nursery to find out what passionfruit vine varieties are available to plant now. Even if you have limited garden space, these vines make great screening plants and their showy flowers and then fruit will make it worth while. Passionfruits need to be supported by a fence or trellis structure and have excellent drainage. Mix in plenty of Searles Real Compost into existing soil and fertilise with Searles Fruit & Citrus Food during flowering and fruiting season. Keeping the watering up during the growing season is essential. Inconsistent water will cause stress to the plant and result in fruit drop.

Ixora ‘Coral Fire’

Ixor

a ‘Gold Fire’ Ixoras bring a tropical splash of colour to summer gardens and will flower profusely through the warmer months. Ideal as a hedge, specimen or container plant, they also make excellent cut flowers — regular cutting will promote flower production and compact, bushy growth. Give ixoras a well drained soil in part shade or full sun, mulch well and water during establishment and dry periods. Protect from frost.

Hibiscus plants are great for garden colour and flower profusely in a range of colours. Look out for compact varieties to plant in pots.

For a smallish shrub of fairly delicate habit, hibiscus sure can produce the most enormous, flamboyant flowers. They are tough, too. Even a neglected hibiscus bush can continue to flower through the harshest conditions. In the tropics, hibiscus can flower throughout the year — including winter.

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Tropical

Darwin

Subtropical Temperate

Cairns Broome

Cool Mediterranean Arid

Townsville Whitsundays

N.T.

Mackay

Mt. Isa Longreach

Alice Springs Carnarvon

Kalgoorlie

S.A. Port Augusta

Perth

Gympie Roma Toowoomba Warwick

Esperance

Mt Gambier

Armidale

Tamworth

Orange

Adelaide Victor Harbour

Sunshine Coast

Brisbane

Gold Coast

Moree

N.S.W.

Bunbury

Regional Garden Diary

Hervey Bay

QLD Coober Pedy

Geraldton

Rockhampton Gladstone

Blackall

W.A.

Albany

Emerald

Grafton Port Macquarie Newcastle

Sydney

Canberra Wodonga

Vic.

Melbourne

Tas.

Hobart

Keep your lawn blades high when mowing the lawns regularly.

Having the mower blades too low will scalp your lawns and promote weeds.

Bromeliads make the perfect table centrepiece over the festive season.

There are bromeliad varieties for both sun or shade, and that flower at different times of year. If you’re buying one for someone as a gift, make sure you get one that is in flower for maximum effect. Of course, there are many bromeliads with brightly-coloured foliage that will catch the eye at any time of year.

Each individual plant will only flower once, but they will produce new plants (pups) which will produce next year’s flowers.

The Queensland fruit fly is common in the warmer times of year. After mating, the female lays her eggs under the skin of the fruit. When the maggot-like larvae hatch, they burrow deeper into the fruit causing it to rot. Searles Fruit Fly Trap is an effective reusable trap to monitor and control fruit fly activity around vegetables, particularly tomatoes, and around citrus trees. It contains a wick that attracts male fruit flies, traps and kills them, stopping the breeding cycle.

For more information on garden hint & tips and what’s on visit

www.aboutthegarden.com.au

21

The strongly perfumed Daphne ‘Spring Pink Eternal Fragrance’ are prized for their repeat flowering.

Flowers fade from pink to pale pink to almost white in summer.

This variety is well suited as borders, hedges and small gardens. For optimum results trim lightly to maintain shape and vigour. Frost hardy and heat tolerant. Does well in cooler climatic zones. Plant in full sun to part shade. 60cm H x 90cm spread.

To produce stunning bougainvilleas, fertilise fortnightly with Searles Flourish Soluble Plant Food to ensure that your plants receive all the food they need for a healthy and productive life.

Bougainvilleas are rampant growers, so prune vigorously to the shape of your choice and water regularly.

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Your blueberry should be abundant with fruit now. Harvest fruit when it turns to a deep dark blue colour and the fruit easily comes off the tree with a light twist with the hand.

When berries are in season they are irresistibly juicy and a must to pick, but beware of the birds.

Neighborhood poultry know when is the right time to pick them as well.

Net fruiting bushes with bird and bat friendly netting available from good garden and produce centres.

Garden art is an underestimated design tool, creating focal points in the garden and enhancing your chosen theme. Visit your garden centre or even look up local artists or exhibitions for inspiration.

Pelargonium (Geranium) - Strong colour, low water requirements and a long flowering period have made this old-fashioned perennial the flavour of the month this festive season. Perfect for pots and window boxes, pelargoniums need full sun to flower well. They may become affected by fungal problems in very humid conditions, so make sure they have full sun and good aeration (even a slightly windy position can be beneficial) if the weather becomes sultry. In the garden, they need a well-drained soil and are great for rockeries and ‘hot-spots’.

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Protect herbs, vegetables, trees and shrubs from possums, kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, hares, bandicoots, deer, foxes and other wildlife.

Protect vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, seedlings and buildings from cockatoos, crows, ducks, pigeons, rosellas, starlings, swallows, other birds & bats.

Protects homes, gardens, patios, shop fronts and paved areas from both dogs and cats or rats and mice.

Protect one plant or a whole area — perimeter &/or band sprays.

Repels — without harming animals or humans.

Not considered a poison — no withholding period.

Easy to use — spray on. Effective when dry.

Safe, Proven and Effective.

is unique. Reject products said to be "just as good", nothing is at all "like it". For further information send 2x60c stamps to:

GG20-260/02

Available in 100g, 1Kg & 4Kg Sizes.

D-TER, Dept. A, PO Box 3, Oyster Bay, NSW 2225.

Enquiries: Phone: (02) 9589 0703. Fax: (02) 9589 0147 Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa is ideal for dry climates.

This plant is extremely compact and its natural bell shape makes for a beautiful edging plant or a stand alone specimen. Great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers appear from spring to autumn. A drought tolerant alternative to English Box. Plant in full sun to light shade. 30-45cm round.

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