About the Garden Magazine WINTER 2015

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Winter Bloomers Leeks/Spring Onions What to plant now!

Camellia Japonicas

2015 ISSUE 73

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

Issue 73

2015

the secret is....

Front Cover Photography: Gallipoli Centenary Rose.

See page 9 for more details.

Available from your local garden retailer this winter!

Managing Director: Conway Searle

Australia’s official Rose to mark the ANZAC Gallipoli Centenary in 2015.

Contributors: Noel Burdette, Renee Gusa & Ashley Searle.

Magazine Manager: Alana Searle Design & Layout: Alana Searle ATG Group Co-ordinator & Advertising: Jason Searle SCAN FOR FACT SHEET

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

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For some, Winter can be viewed as a time of rest and quietness in the garden. For many plant species, growth has slowed considerably, but for others, it is a time to take centre stage and shine their brilliance for another year.

Noel Burdette

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Ensuring that colour can be captured during the depths of winter is not as difficult as one may think. With clever choices in the garden, it is possible to create a vibrant, exciting outdoor space to tantalise all of the senses.

Winter is the time that the Orange trumpet vine (Pyrostegia venusta) bursts to life on fence lines around the country. This hardy and fast growing climber can be truly depended upon to clothe unsightly wire fences, arbours and balustrades. The clusters of bright orange trumpet shaped blooms are produced along the tendrils providing a beautiful cascading effect. The flowers are highly valued by nectar feeding birds and all species of bees during the cooler months. This is a large growing species, so ample room is required to fully appreciate its capabilities.

During the cooler times of the year, many succulent species take on a very different appearance and can often eclipse flowering plants with their beauty. A fine example of this is Euphorbia tirucalli also known as ‘Firesticks’**. This textural member of a vast family brings out its best colours when the weather is at its coolest. The new growth on this unique species turns shades of orange, gold and cherry red giving the appearance of glowing embers in a fire. It’s a real visual delight in the garden. This euphorbia is best grown in full sun and well drained sites. It can also successfully be used as a potted feature.

A very underestimated succulent that has been taken for granted for many years is the large, golden foliaged form of Crassula ovata ‘The money tree’. This incredibly tough plant can fill up neglected corners of the garden and of course looks wonderful when used in feature pots. It can also be lightly tip pruned (over time) for more formal settings. The golden form is strongly highlighted through winter as the tips of the foliage seem to shine on a winter’s day.

The Kalanchoe luciae ‘Flapjack’ has increased in popularity over the past few years and is a great choice for lower maintenance style gardens. Its large, disc shaped foliage develops rich tones of russet and burgundy that contrast well against its usual silver green colouring throughout winter, providing a gentle textural element to any garden or potted feature.

Of course some of the most striking of all succulent species to flower during the depths of winter would have to be the hybrid flowering Aloes. Many have made their way onto the market over recent years and are only now being appreciated for their

5 amazing resilience and dramatic flowering capabilities. Available in a variety of sizes, there is a flowering aloe to suit any style and size of garden. Flower colours span from deep cherry red, gold, pink, apricot, orange and white with many hues falling well into the pastels. Flowering Aloes are one of the best attractants for nectar feeding birds in the winter along with an essential source of pollen for our native stingless bee species.

Once again, a full sun position suits them best with good drainage, yet they enjoy deep watering to help produce strong flowering stems.

An unusual, yet old fashioned, winter flowering species of shrub is the Leonotis leonoris ‘Lions tail’. Available in both burnt orange and creamy white, this upright soft shrub from South Africa is perfectly suited to our Australian conditions and when in bloom, is a beacon for all kinds of small birds and beneficial insects. The flowers are produced mainly from mid-autumn until late spring and during winter, bring a delightful sense of visual warmth to the garden. It requires regular pruning after each flush to maintain a thick growth habit and enjoys a sunny, moisture retentive, yet well-drained soil. The flowers are produced in tight whorls at each leaf joint on strong, vertical branches. Due to its stature, the leonotis is well suited to cottage style gardens where it can form a great background for many smaller, softer plant species.

Finally, a plant that not only provides bright colour, but as a bonus, brings with it a delightful perfume to the garden should also be considered. Salvia dorisiana ‘Fruity Sage’ is a winter flowering salvia that is a delight to the senses on both levels. The hot pink blooms that appear from late June until early October are a true bright spark in the garden and are relished by honeyeaters of all kinds. The perfume however is emitted from the large, furry (evergreen) foliage and smells reminiscent of fruit salad which gives rise to its other common name of ‘Fruit salad sage’. This species of salvia is happiest in partial shade with moisture retentive soil.

Strong pruning is recommended at the end of its flowering season when it will recover extremely quickly by putting on lush new growth.

Don’t ever feel that winter is a time of the year that should remain quiet, far from it.

Give yourself the opportunity to look a little deeper into what is available and discover a world of colourful plants that can encourage everyone to look forward to the brightness of winter each and every year.

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**NOTE: Care must be taken when placing ANY member of the euphorbia species in the garden as the white sap within their stems is toxic and should be avoided anywhere near the mouth and eyes.

Avoid planting along pathways or next to doorways or close to children’s playing areas.

Winter is the time for many cultivars of Camellias to make their way into the hearts of many a gardener. Many a love affair is born at this time of the year when it comes to these age old favourites for our gardens. Most winter flowering forms are in the Japonica group and enjoy slightly more sheltered positions in the gardens with protection from intense sun. They are the perfect woodland style species that look natural and at home if planted underneath the protective canopy of both evergreen and deciduous species of trees. All camellias enjoy an acid, moist soil rich in humus and due to their slow development of root structure can take up to two years to become fully established. Camellias are a shining star in the winter garden and are available in a wide assortment of styles and colour tones to suit everyone’s tastes.

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Of course, colour doesn’t always stop with flowers. Colour can be found in the most unexpected of places and this is where some heritage vegetable cultivars such as Rainbow chard (Silverbeet) can be enjoyed. Rainbow Chard is a nutritious source of vitamins and minerals and with an ever-growing interest in productive gardens, this will lighten up your veggie patch. Rainbow chard is a fun way of growing healthy, edible plants that both children and adults alike can literally ‘sink their teeth into’ and make a nice change from the usual green and white forms commonly used. Silverbeet enjoys a well tilled soil that has been enriched with Searles Cow Manure and a little dolomite. The outside leaves can be harvested for many months while allowing for the younger leaves to come through in the centre of the plants. Regular watering is needed for thick leaves to be produced. They can be grown equally well from seed or seedlings.

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A very tough and dense growing, upright bush, it has all the health and disease resistance famous in a Kordes latest release. Large, elegant, deep velvet red unfading blooms are produced in clusters or singly, over a long flowering period.

Growing to a height of 1.2m the beautiful blooms are framed by mid green leaves.

This rose has been decorated with international gold medals.

Treloar Roses will proudly donate $1.00 from the sale of each rose to the Anzac Day Commemoration Committee Qld Inc to help fund ANZAC education to Australian school children & war veteran related projects. For further information visit www.anzacday.org.au or phone 07 3263 7118.

Add ‘Gallipoli Centenary Rose’ to a remembrance garden.

See more about creating a remembrance garden at www.aboutthegarden.com.au

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we

love

Coprosma ‘Ignite’

COPROSMA

Plant an ‘Ignite’ this winter for an intense deep red foliage in summer and warming purple tones in winter.

Extremely glossy, vibrant leaves. Dry tolerant and hardy.

Size: 1.5m spread x 1.5cm H. Position: Plant in full sun to part shade.

Ideal colourful feature plant for mixed garden beds, informal borders and large containers.

Care: Plant in a well drained soil. Low maintenance with no special care requirements. Very dry tolerant once established.

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Diascia Series Flowering: It is a compact mounding plant that smothers in flower during late winter and springtime. The flowers are bright and cheeky with a darker throat.

Habit: Each flower withdraws as it is spent so the plants have a very clean appearance with no older dead flowers showing.

Size: 12cm H x 25cm spread.

Position: They grow in sunny open areas where they get lots of sunlight. They do not like hot and humid weather. Plant into smart garden pots for use in outdoor rooms, into rockeries or bordering garden beds.

Care: Diascias are fast growing garden plants in most well draining garden soils where the beds have been well prepared with some Searles 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food incorporated in the bed before planting. They need watering freely with fortnightly applications of a weak solution of Searles Flourish速 Liquid Plant Food.

As flowering seems to be fading the plants can be pruned to rejuvenate them and get a second flush of flower.

Varieties: Snow, Orange, Apricot, Appleblossom & Little Charmer.

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close up

we

love

Chrysocephalum apiculatum

Grevillea ‘Deua Gold’ Flowering: Stunning rich golden yellow flowers appearing at their heaviest from March to October.

Habit: Arching glossy green foliage.

Size: 1.2m H x 1.5cm spread.

Position: Loves full sun.

Features: Extremely hardy, frost and heat tolerant. Great addition to native gardens, coastal plantings and dry areas.

‘Desert Flame’, is an Australian perennial native bred by Queenslander Dr. Kerry Bunker. It produces a mass of long lived golden flowers above silver-grey foliage. If planted above retaining walls or in garden planters it will spill down the sides for a stunning cascading effect.

Flowers all year long in South East Queensland. In Central Australia flowering in spring and summer is the norm.

Size: 40-50cm wide x 15-25cm H. Position: Full sun in well drained soil. Ideal for ground cover, in pots, among trees and shrubs or as a border in open garden beds.

Care: Prune when the plant looks a little tired. Mulch at planting time to keep the roots cool and moist. The plant is generally free of pests and diseases. It makes a waterwise pot plant but needs watering on average two or three times a week.

Gold ClusterTM

Grevillea juniperina

Try Cherry Cluster™ in cooler areas for beautiful red ground cover.

Gold Cluster™ Grevillea has masses of spider like gold flowers in winter and spring, a great contrast to the green foliage. A lower growing and denser form, Gold Cluster™ Grevillea is great at out competing weeds and grows to half the height of other popular forms.

Size: 80cm-1m to 30cm H. Position: Full sun to part shade. Suits free draining to moderately heavy soils (prefers free draining soils in Sydney), avoid soils with ph above 7. Tolerates frost and drought.

Care: Water as required for 8-13 weeks until established. Plant in a well mulched garden (chunky mulch is recommended). Use Searles Native Plants Plant Food once a year. Prune every 2-3 years if required.

Australian Rice Flower - Ozothamnus

Flowering: Explosion of fiery coloured flowers appearing from April to October.

Habit: Compact, rounded habit. Small evergreen foliage soft to touch.

Size: 40m H x 80cm spread.

Position: They do best in full sun.

Features: This winter flowering native is ideal for small gardens and is a show stopper if planted around patios and verandahs.

D-TER is not only an extremely effective repellent, but its use is also environmentally sound – it is very safe, is not a scheduled poison, and there is no withholding period, it does not harm the creatures, plants or soil.

D-TER repels by creating a feeling in the creatures that the treated area is unsafe and threatening.

These two compact Aussie natives are easy to grow in a sheltered, sunny position in most well drained soils. Flowering is from winter through into spring. Just Blush has long lasting, deep pink buds opening to a mauve pink.

Winter White has large heads of Just Blush pure white buds and flowers. For use in floral arrangements cut the stems when the plant is in full bud before the flowers open. To dry the flower heads, keep in a cool dark place until dried. Do not place in water. Rice flowers are perfect for use in floral arrangements.

Winter White

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.

This memory of ‘danger’ thus ensuring the repellent effect continues for lengthy periods – far longer than the D-TER itself.

It has produced excellent results against all wildlife, including Rabbits, Kangaroos and Wallabies, Possums, Bandicoots, visiting Dogs and Cats, Rats and Mice. It is equally effective against all birds, protecting both plants and ripening fruit, against Rosellas, Lorikeets, Parrots, Cockatoos, Crows, smaller birds, Bats and fouling of buildings or ground areas by Ducks, Pigeons, Starlings, Mynas, Sparrows and Swallows.

For further information contact Lorac Australia, Ph. 02 9589 0703

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.

Available in 100g, 1Kg & 4Kg Sizes. is unique. Reject products said to be "just as good", nothing is at all "like it". For further information send 2x70c stamps to:

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

Enquiries: Phone: (02) 9589 0703. Fax: (02) 9589 0147

GG20-260/02

Various animals and birds regularly cause substantial damage to fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

Fortunately D-TER, a very safe animal and bird repellent, is most effective in these situations. Creatures returning to a treated area immediately become agitated and leave. The result is up to 100% reduction in further damage. D-TER is the leading animal and bird repellent internationally.

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Recipe provided www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au

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Hellebore ‘Ivory Pri nce’

sun, but can ...near a trellis. They need full ions. Keep reg hot y ver in de sha t take par il they unt ist mo newly-planted seedlings port. sup ir the o ont b have started to clim

The culprit!

Hellebore ‘Penny’s Pink’

Sooty mould grows on the honey-dew secretions made by sap-sucking insects like scale, aphids and mealybug. Sooty mould Sooty mould on citrus is unsightly but does not directly harm the plant, other than to inhibit photosynthesis. Of more concern are the sap-sucking insects which grow the mould. Control these pests with Searles Pest Gun. Plants that are under stress from other factors such as lack of water can be more susceptible to these kinds of problems, so water regularly in hot, dry weather.

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

www.aboutthegarden.com.au

17

The rows of bare rooted plants in cool climate nurseries at this time of year can seem rather unglamorous. Looks, however, can be deceiving. In fact, many gardeners refuse to plant at any other time, greedily anticipating the cool season when we have some of the finest jewels of the plant world at our fingertips...

1

Dig a hole, mixing in 1/3 garden soil, 1/3 river sand and 1/3 organic matter like 5in1TM. Remove any diseased or damaged roots.

2

Place the plant in the hole, spreading the roots into a natural position. Building a mound at the base of the hole may help steady the plant. When backfilling, wiggle the tree and water the roots to help remove any air pockets.

3

Bare rooted plants have their roots cut for easy removal and transport which can leave them top heavy and without good anchorage.

Once planted, the tree can be ‘balanced’ by pruning the branches about 30cm from the main trunk, cutting just above a bud.

4

Loosely stake it until established. Water immediately after planting, but don’t overwater when dormant.

Start applying fertiliser when growth resumes in spring.

18 Reinwardtiana ‘Golden Dollar’

...continued from page 17

need filtered sunlight (a shade cloth that blocks 50% sunlight or the dappled shade under a tree is ideal). Pot them into Searles Cymbidium Orchid Mix and water once a week in the mornings. Feed with Searles Orchid Bloomer as soon as flower spikes appear.

Euryops virgineu s ‘Golden Glow’ is a shrub (75cm x 75 small cm) bearing masses of golden yellow, daisy-like flowers throughout winte r. Very hardy, it tolerate sw spray, frost and dr ind, salt ought.

Prune and fertilis e in spring to keep the bush healthy and promote ne w growth.

Great for rockerie s, the poolside, contai ners or in garden beds.

An extremely hardy shrub (1.5m x 1.5m),

the reinwardtiana ‘Golden Dollar’ will lighten up your garden with bold, yellow flowers over a long period.

Give it a hard pruning in late spring after it has finished flowering. Great for pots.

Quince

Raspberry

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Tropical

20

Darwin

Subtropical Temperate

Cairns Broome

Cool Mediterranean Arid

Townsville Whitsundays

N.T.

Mackay

Mt. Isa Longreach

Alice Springs Carnarvon

Hervey Bay

QLD

Gympie Roma Toowoomba Warwick

Coober Pedy

Geraldton

S.A.

Kalgoorlie

Esperance

Orange

Adelaide Victor Harbour

Armidale

Tamworth

Bunbury

Sunshine Coast

Brisbane

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Moree

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Port Augusta

Perth

Regional Garden Diary

Rockhampton Gladstone

Blackall

W.A.

Albany

Emerald

Grafton Port Macquarie Newcastle

Sydney

Canberra Wodonga

Vic.

Mt Gambier

Melbourne

Tas.

Hobart

Shadow Dancer ‘Betty’

Usually associated with spring flowering in cooler climates, fuchsias flower happily through the winter in Queensland and warm temperate regions. Liquid feed with Searles Flourish®.

Ripening tropical ‘Anna’.

Excellent low chill apple.

Low chill apples - This is a new range of apple trees that don’t require frosts to trigger flowering. Although they are often referred to as ‘tropical’ apples, they are probably not suited to the true tropics but will certainly grow and fruit well in the subtropics (such as in southeast Queensland.) Try ‘Anna’, ‘Golden Dorset’, ‘Einshimer’ and ‘Tropic Sweet’.

Pandorea pandorana ‘Lemon Bells’

is a fast-growing, well-behaved native climber.

Flowers through winter and spring.

Great for covering fences, pergolas or lattice work.

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

www.aboutthegarden.com.au

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Flowering from May to October and tolerant of cooler zones, Heliconia ‘Red Christmas’ is the perfect cut flower for ‘Christmas in July’ celebrations. Not strictly a shrub, it grows from a rhizome and sends up multiple shoots to form an attractive clump about 1.2m x 1.2m to rival any garden plant. Give it a rich, moist, well-drained soil and a shady position for best results. It’s also great in pots.

is the perfect present or table-top display piece! Flowers prolifically from late winter and continues in flushes throughout the year. Compact, mounded habit with the aromatic flowers holding tightly just above the foliage. Resistant to diseases.

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The biggest problem facing cool climate gardeners who want to grow apples is being spoilt for choice! You will be able to grow most varieties of apples, visit your local garden centre for the best options.

Trixzie® Apples are miniature trees (smaller than dwarfs) which are more precocious flowering, enhancing pollination, even in adverse conditions.

Try Trixzie ‘Gala’ (pictured) and Trixzie ‘Pink Lady’.

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to control Bindii before the painful prickles arrive in early spring.

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