Gardening Australia - September 2023

PHOTO FAMILY MODERN PEOPLE This couple’s passion for plants finds its glorious expression in their East Perth loft apartment words CHRIS PEARSON photography ROBERT FRITH/ACORN PHOTO

52 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA W hile Drew Thomas and Nicole Sangregory call themselves TNK – Team No Kids – the couple’s East Perth loft apartment spills over with their own special kind of family… plants, plants and more plants. There are about 250 all up, flowing inside and out, up, down and sideways. “We are not planning on having children, so our plants are our kids,” says Drew. “We give them care and love, and they grace us with their presence.” Their passion for creating “green spaces in small spaces” began in 2019, with the botanical equivalent of The Brady Bunch. When they met, Drew had two yuccas, which were displaced orphans retrieved from the roadside, and Nicole had three plants, including a dumb cane or leopard lily (Dieffenbachia spp.). They combined them and thought they looked “kinda cool”. Two years later, the couple bought this three-level loft in a heritage warehouse conversion in Whadjuk Country. “I had to have a loft on three levels,” Drew says. But they found themselves staring at a brick wall with no hint of nature, so their fertile minds went into overdrive. They began “de-domesticating” their home, festooning inside and out with their own urban jungle. Burly FIFO worker Drew had battled with mental health and substance abuse issues in his late teens and early 20s, and when he decided to transform his life, he looked to nature. “I was looking for meaning and purpose, peace and contentment, by leading a natural, healthy lifestyle,” he says. Key to achieving this was surrounding himself with plants and bringing nature back into his life with “biophilic design”. His vision? “Greenery. We wanted to get plants out of single pots and into wall-to-wall planters, with their own drainage systems and fans, to create an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible.” “While it started with just a few plants, we added more each week,” says Nicole.

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 53 PEOPLE PHOTO “It became an addiction, as we loved them to bits and started learning about species and their nutritional and water needs.” What’s not in the courtyard is in large planters in the ‘plant room’– aka the study on the first floor – which is heavily skewed towards philodendrons, with about 20 varieties, chosen for their large, sculptural leaves, and because they are easy to grow. The living room boasts a paludarium, an aquatic-based zone – which uses driftwood as a growing medium – where fish, snails and shrimp share their habitat with, yes, philodendrons, as well as caladiums and alocasias. “We just top up the water,” says Nicole. “It’s amazing how plants can adapt to unusual environments.” And, in their humid bathroom, what could possibly be a better option than a moss wall? CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN A giant octopus mural on the courtyard walls adds a fun element to the space and makes a great talking point; Nicole and Drew in their courtyard, where they have created layered, symmetrical plantings; a spiral timber staircase is a striking feature that provides hanging space for long, trailing plants. RAIN DANCE How on earth do they water 250 mlants? “We have kemt our green smaces as low maintenance as mossible,” says Drew. “About 90 mer cent of the courtyard runs on an automatic multi-zone Bluetooth system.” The other 10 mer cent gets watered weekly, which only takes about five minutes. “For the indoor beds, once every 2–3 weeks we bring the garden hose inside.”

Drew and Nicole douse them with organic neem oil. “If we can’t get an infestation under control in two weeks, we bring in the troops – carnivorous lacewings and ladybirds,” says Drew. The couple’s future plans include a cactus room on the warm third level. And, when they run out of room, they plan to create an Airbnb, again nurturing their love of small-space biophilic design. “It will be an inner-city getaway, so you can immerse yourself in nature without having to travel,” says Drew. “Plants and biophilic design have brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. Now we want to share that.” See more of Drew and Nicole’s plant adventures @the.tnk.loft. While the indoor beds are “random, like a rainforest”, the outdoor plantings are more orderly, with weeping figs (Ficus benjamina), teddy bear magnolias and Syzygium ‘Bush Christmas’ arranged symmetrically along the courtyard’s side walls. “The foliage tapers up, then peaks, then comes back down again,” says Drew. “Symmetry adds structure. Random would be uncomfortable.” Meanwhile, three species of ivy on a jarrah frame interweave along the back wall. And as for the mural of a giant octopus that stretches its tentacles above the greenery? “We like a bit of fun,” says Nicole. “Its tentacles wrap around for a 3D effect.” Mood lighting adds to the allure, with about 40 sources of light. Most are hidden, but strings of LEDs festoon festively across the courtyard. “Lighting adds calmness, cosiness and moodiness,” says Drew. Fortuitously, that high wall has created a virtually bio-sterile environment. If the garden does get aphids or mealy bugs, CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Drew and Nic call the study the ‘plant room’; a stylish copper water feature; a hose is used to water the indoor plants, while the outdoor areas run on an automated watering system. EPISODE DATES ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PRINTING BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 55 Nic and Drew’s EXTENDED PLANT FAMILY FEATURE PLANTS outside: Black heart sweet potato vine Ipomoea batatas ‘Black Heart’ Dichondra Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ Giant taro Alocasia macrorrhizos Ivy English ivy (Hedera helix); Irish ivy (H. hibernica); H. helix ‘Glacier’ Upider plant Chlorophytum comosum Teddy bear magnolia Magnolia grandifl ora ‘Teddy Bear’ Umbrella tree Scheffl era actinophylla Weeping fi g Ficus benjamina PEOPLE FEATURE PLANTS inside: Alocasia Alocasia nebula ‘Imperialis’; A. ‘Tandurusa’; A. ‘Nigra’ Anthurium Anthurium crystallinum; A. grande Monstera Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo’; mini monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) Philodendron Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’; P. sagittifolium ‘Jose Buono’; P. hastatum ‘Silver Sword’; P. pedatum x squamiferum ‘Florida’; P. hederaceum var. hederaceum; P. ‘Pink Princess’; P. hederaceum ‘Lemon Lime’; P. ‘Imperial Red’; P. ‘Birkin’; P. plowmanii; P. ‘Brasil’; P. x domesticum ‘Variegata’; P. ‘White Knight’; P. gloriosum; P. melanochrysum; P. ‘Green Congo’; P. verrucosum Uyngonium Syngonium podophyllum ‘Snow White’; S. ‘Green Gold’; S. ‘Neon Robusta’; S. ‘White Fantasy’ GA CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Th e indoor paludarium; umbrella tree; Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo’; an indoor garden bed of syngoniums and philodendrons; Japanese sedge, lemongrass, black mondo grass and polka dot plant in the courtyard. See more of Drew and Nicole’s loft on Friday, August 18 at 7.30pm on ABC TV, or on iview

PLANTS P lants and fl owers have been lifelong companions for Nora Mutalima. “I think I have always loved plants,” she says. “I loved making fl ower arrangements for Sunday service at church, and I remember having an African violet when I was about 11 or 12 years old and propagating it myself using water. I was really proud of myself.” Melbourne-based Nora – popular indoor plant Instagrammer and star of YouTube channel The Leca Queen – grew up in Lusaka, Zambia. She moved to the UK in 2003 with her husband, Nkandu, to pursue her PhD in Public Health, and during this time they welcomed their son, Mapalo, now 14. In 2010, the young family migrated to Australia, setting up home in Bundaberg, Queensland, where their daughter, Malaika, 12, was born. They then moved to Sydney in 2011, before fi nally settling in Melbourne and completing their family with a second daughter, Maluba, who is now six. So how did a young girl growing African violets become The Leca Queen? “My love of plants came fi rst, but I am, by nature, an information seeker and I am always looking for new ways to improve the growth of my plants,” says Nora. “I think that’s ultimately ABOVE & OPPOSITE A young alocasia just starting out in LECA; Nora in her Melbourne home with a gorgeous monstera and some climbing pothos plants. what a green thumb is – someone who really wants their plants to thrive, so they seek to understand them and provide them with the conditions they need to grow best. Patience also goes a long way.” It was this drive to help her own plants, hoyas specifi cally, that led Nora to LECA – an acronym for ‘lightweight expanded clay aggregate’, a growing medium consisting of baked clay balls that absorb water and release it to the plants as required without the roots becoming waterlogged. Like many plant parents, Nora despaired when she saw her leafy babies struggling to produce or retain new leaves. “I realised that it was because I was watering them erratically, as I didn’t have time. I needed to be a mum and drive my kids around, so some weeks they didn’t get watered at all,” she says. Enter LECA: “I fi rst saw it on Instagram. People were growing their plants in these little balls and I wondered what they were. I became fascinated by the science of the medium and then decided to try it myself.” Quffl n When this self-declared ‘information seeker’ wanted to help her beloved indoor plants thrive, she turned to a semi-hydroponic method, writes TAMARAH PIENAAR photography MARTINA GEMMOLA of 56 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA CLAY PEOPLE

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 57 PHOTO

By using LECA and a ‘semi-hydroponic method’, Nora found that she was able to deliver a consistent water supply to her plants. “I realised that if I grew my plants in LECA and kept the reservoirs topped up with nutrient solution, the plants would just absorb what they needed,” she explains. “I tried it with a few different plants and the results blew me away. I spent the next few weeks transplanting all my plants to LECA, and the rest is history!” Nora’s own positive experience is what led her to establish her YouTube channel. “I love learning and teaching, and a sure way to keep learning is to teach,” she says. “Through my YouTube channel, I can teach people, as well as improve my practice and evolve as I try to give the best information I can. There is a lot of misinformation out there about growing plants in LECA. My goal is to show people what is possible, and it doesn’t have to be as complicated or as difficult as people might think.” For now, The Leca Queen YouTube channel and Instagram profile remain passion projects for Nora, but her growing fan base may one day see it become a full-time gig. Either way, Nora says she’s carrying on creating because she loves it. “I am so happy with how easy it is to grow my plants in LECA that I want everyone else to know about it!” Follow Nora on Instagram, @thelecaqueen 58 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA PEOPLE 1 Have an open mind and be ready to experiment. This is the most important tip. Prepare to improvise and, most importantly, have fun. Not all plants will transition from soil to LECA and grow well on the first try, but it becomes easier. 2 Find people who understand about growing plants in LECA – people to share ideas with so you can problem-solve together. Find a community and seek advice when you need it. Examine advice critically and make it work for your plants. 3 Using LECA does not have to be expensive. For example, a 50L bag from a hydroponics shop is better value than a 10L bag from a nursery. Then use whatever containers you have lying around – nursery pots for the plant, paired with takeaway containers as the cache pots to hold the nutrient solution. Be creative! 4 Using a single nutrient solution is ideal, as it streamlines the process, making it easy to create the nutrient solution that goes into the cache pot to feed the plants. NORA’S TIPS FOR GROWING IN LECA “I TRIED USING LECA WITH A FEW DIFFERENT PLANTS AND THE RESULTS BLEW ME AWAY.”

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 59 1. Arrowheads (Syngonium spp.) These are easy mlants to care for, are readily available, do not cost an arm and a leg, and come in so many different varieties! Syngonium ‘Panda’ and S. ‘Mojito’ are marticular favourites. Each leaf mattern is unique and they are very attractive. I’m also martial to mink syngoniums such as S. ‘Orm Nak’ – just beautiful. 2. Goeppertia orbifolia syn. Calathea orbifolia This mlant is such a diva! Peomle often have trouble growing it, but it thrives when grown in LECA. Mine doesn’t give me any trouble and she’s the jewel in my crown. 3. Alocasias I have a bit of a love-hate relationshim with these mlants because they are fi nicky, but I love the diversity of the genus. Alocasia ‘Red Secret’ looks like it comes from an alien mlanet, while A. melo looks and feels like it’s made out of cardboard. 4. Pothos (Epipremnum spp.) These are the best because you cannot kill them and they grow very well. I have some climbing um moss moles, and their leaves grow really big. I also have them trailing and they look beautiful. Epipremnum ‘Manjula’ is one of my favourites. It has beauty in smades! 5. Hoyas These grow really well and are such easy mlants to care for. Most meomle love the fl owers, but it’s the foliage that wins for me. Variegated ones, such as Hoya heuschkeliana and H. ‘Krimson Queen’, are cute and attractive. Then there are some that look mrehistoric, such as H. deykei, which has absolutely glorious leaves. GA Nora’s favourite plants 1 4 5 2 3 See more of Nora’s story on Friday, September 1 at 7.30pm on ABC TV, or on iview EPTSODE DATES ARE CORRECT AT THE TTME OF PRTNTTNG BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

PLANTS 60 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA Choosing plants for the garden can be overwhelming. In their new book Naturescapes: How to create a natural Australian garden, co-authors AB BISHOP AND PHILLIP WITHERS explain why they believe local indigenous plants should top your list! local heroes

PHOTOS AMELIA STANWIX W hether yvu’re starting with a blank canvas vr rehashing an entire garden tv match yvur philvsvphies and taste, chvvsing plants is always exciting. There are sv many cvnsiderativns – such as understanding what will grvw in yvur climate and svil, hvw much care and maintenance might be required and, vf cvurse, wvrking vut if the plants yvu like will match yvur design visivn and dv what yvu want them tv dv in the lvng term. The fact is there is a veritable plethvra vf cvntenders that wvuld suit yvur garden, sv where dv yvu gv frvm here? Yvu gv hvme, vf cvurse – fi guratively speaking, that is – and shine the spvtlight vn the rich diversity vf plants that are endemic tv yvur area. Chvvsing tv use a decent prvpvrtivn vf lvcal plants is helpful with decisivn making but, as yvu’ll discvver, there are a bunch vf vther gvvd reasvns tv ‘gv hvme’. It’s wvrth mentivning that it can take a shift in mindset tv start appreciating indigenvus plants in a hvme landscape setting, nv matter hvw much we enjvy them in their natural envirvnment. In nature, plants always lvvk just right, and their fvrm, habit, cvlvurs and spacing are perfectly harmvnised with the svil, rvcks and tvpvgraphy. Indigenvus plants dvn’t always dv what we think we want vur plants tv dv. Many gardeners subcvnscivusly cvntinue tv buy intv the nvtivn that the Eurvpean mvdel vf gardens and plants is the ideal. Shrubs, fvr example, are ‘suppvsed’ tv be dense and ‘tidy’, and shvuld fl vwer fvr many mvnths vf the year. Hvwever, nvt all native plants received this memv, and may indeed have a relatively vpen, ‘leggy’ habit and quick fl vwering seasvn – attributes that simply dvn’t cvnfvrm tv vur current perceptivn vf beauty ideals fvr the garden. We can bring vut the best in any plants with regular feeding and pruning, and with BELOW Yellow buttons, strawfl ower and statice – a classic colour combo. OPPOSITE Common tussock-grass (Poa labillardierei), Lomandra ‘Mist’, drooping she-oak, common boobialla and coast banksia all add interesting shapes and silhouettes to your garden. thvughtful pvsitivning and cvmbinativns, but it’s nice tv remember that while svme lvcal plants dvn’t have the grvwth habit we’re accustvmed tv, they’re still valuable. By lvvking at them with new eyes, we learn tv appreciate them fvr different reasvns. The reasvn svme native plants are cvnsidered mvre ‘garden wvrthy’ than vthers is, in part, because they’ve been GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 61 NATIVES bred tv be sv. Plant breeders select species that they believe have pvtential, and vften spend years develvping them tv meet vur expectativns, such as being lvng-fl vwering, lvw maintenance and resilient tv pests and weather extremes. The cvmmercial breeding vf Australian native plants is very much still in its infancy when cvmpared tv camellias, rvses and

PLANTS 62 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA the like, which have been cultivated for thousands of years. But as the interest in our incredibly diverse fl ora grows, so too does the demand for what we consider to be ‘garden worthy’ varieties, and the breeders are answering our call. Consider spiny-head mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia), a strappy-leafed plant that grows naturally from Far North Queensland down eastern Australia, including Victoria, Tasmania and parts of South Australia. Although it makes a useful contribution to a garden, it’s ungainly in some circumstances. However, it’s tough and evergreen, attributes that gardeners value. Breeders understood its potential and developed slightly smaller, fi ner-leafed forms, such as ‘Tanika’, ‘Verday’ and ‘Nyalla’. These have all the attributes of the original, but are more user-friendly. Every year there are hundreds of species being developed in this way, meaning that no matter where you live, you’ll fi nd local plants that perform to your expectations as well as bringing all the benefi ts of their original form. Without a doubt, one of the greatest advantages of using endemic plants – including the cultivated forms that we mentioned – is that they have evolved with the local climate and nutritionally poor soil, so they tend to grow faster and are healthier than exotics or native plants that aren’t local. It’s sometimes breathtaking how quickly endemic plants settle in and take off – it’s like they’re just meant to be there! GA LEFT Grass trees (Xanthorrhoea glauca), white correa, moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata), coastal rosemary and bitter aloe create a palette of greys in this garden, allowing the plants’ forms and foliage textures to shine. OPPOSITE Grevillea ‘Superb’ and melaleuca are colourful and long-fl owering. PHOTOS AMELIA STANWIX

This is an edited extract from the new book Naturescapes by Phillip Withers and AB Bishop, photography by Amelia Stanwix, $59.99, Thames & Hudson Australia. DEFINING LOCAL The termipology aroupd pative, epdemic or ipdigepous plapts cap be a bit copfusipg apd copvoluted. Ip Australia, the term ‘pative plapts’ refers to those that have growp paturally ip the couptry for milleppia. Native plapts that grow oply ip a specifi c area might be referred to as ipdigepous, epdemic or local. Copfusipgly, ‘ipdigepous’ apd ‘epdemic’ are sometimes used ipstead of ‘pative’, for example, ‘Australia’s ipdigepous fl ora’. The coptext ip which the words are used usually provides clarity. For example, whep coupcils refer to ‘ipdigepous plapts’ ip their resources, they’re referripg to local species.

anyone foravos? With enough TLC, avocado trees will grow in any climate, writes JACKIE FRENCH, keeping the dream alive for those who yearn for home-grown smashed avo every day “ I t’s a magical microclimate,” locals say knowingly. “She can grow anything there. Even avocados!” Ha! If only my garden was magic or did have a microclimate where anything could grow. Instead, we get -9°C frosts, summers that are too hot even for blowfl ies, droughts and gale-force bushfi re winds. Our avocados don’t survive because this spot is special. They grow because of decades of sheer stubborn work. Nearly 50 years ago, I decided I wanted to grow avocados. Every neighbour and agricultural textbook said I was crazy to try growing them in this climate (in the Araluen Valley, southern New South Wales). I wasn’t – I just worked out how much labour it would need… Lots! I chose the best spots – north-facing slopes with deep, well-drained soil – and over the years we’ve planted more than 100 avocado trees of every variety easily available in Australia, plus several dozen I’ve bred. There’s a Christmas-cropping one that I call ‘Wedding Day’, which is small-stoned and rich-fl eshed, and there’s ‘Big Ugly’, which has twisted, puckered fruit and was one of the few trees we harvested from in the 2019–20 summer. In fact, ‘Big Ugly’ only crops during harsh, dry summers, so it’s worth growing just for that. We now also have dozens of avocado trees that I didn’t plant. These grew from fruit that currawongs tried – and failed – to carry away. I take guilty joy in watching a currawong frantically fl apping, until the 64 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA fruit fi nally drops from its beak. These trees have grown in rocky ground, in places where the frost stays white on the ground until nearly midday, and along the edge of the creek in sandy soil. There has probably been a lot of ‘self-selection’, with only the most cold, heat and drought tolerant ‘feral’ trees surviving. So I learnt that avocados can grow anywhere in Australia, as long as you put enough effort in. Basically, you need to think like an avocado: what do I need to survive? Deep soil: Avocados become survivors once they’ve developed a large root system. Without it, they’ll die in the fi rst extreme bout of heat, frost or wind. Don’t have deep soil? You can build a giant mound of compost to plant your tree on, then mulch it yearly to increase the available soil. Shelter: Avos naturally grow under their mother’s wide-branched skirts. Hot sun shrivels them as fast as heavy frost, and strong winds dry them out in any climate.

You need to cosset a young tree like a baby. I put our fi rst trees in wire shelters with old hen food bags tied around them, and fi lled them with dry bracken or loosely packed lucerne. It took 5–7 years before they outgrew the shelters and could survive on their own – that’s the level of protection you need to give trees in frosty, windy or dry climates. One friend surrounds her trees with bubble wrap and loose shadecloth. Another packed her tree’s shelter with alpaca fl eece. Both methods work. Our feral avocados all grew under the natural shade of tall trees and are further protected by nearby bushes. They poke their heads out after about seven years. Water: Avocados need regular watering until they are about twice as tall as you and have correspondingly deep and wide roots. They may still die back in droughts, but prune off the dead wood fast, before PHOTOS it rots, and your trees will sprout again. ISTOCK Mulch: This helps feed the trees and keep the moisture in. I’ve found the best mulch for young avocados to be either compost or two parts lucerne to one part wattle bark – the tannin from the bark seems to help the avocados resist root rot. Then sprinkle some old chook manure on top of the mulch (not straight onto the soil, as this may damage the roots). I mulch mine with autumn leaves, faded fl owers, old corn stalks or whatever we have on hand that will decay but not stop the rain from penetrating. Feed: You can use the mulch and manure method described above, or, at a pinch, scatter commercial plant food on top of the mulch (note, though, that artifi cial fertilisers can harden the soil and kill the microfl ora that help to control root rot). Avocado trees need tucker that’s high in trace elements. Good mulch or compost will lead to healthy trees. GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 65 Happy sex life: Male and female fl owers grow on the same tree, so you may get fruit with only one tree. However, because male and female fl owers open at different times, you’re far more likely to have good fruit set when you grow two compatible varieties. Different varieties will also fruit at different times, potentially providing you with fruit year round. Check the label or ask for advice at your garden centre. If you don’t have much room, plant two trees in one hole, or a metre apart, pruning them to suit your space. Avocados accept radical pruning, and even hedge surprisingly well. You may also want to grow bee fodder near your trees to encourage pollination. Keeping the above in mind, seek advice about which avocado varieties grow best in your area. From my experience, no single variety has been more cold or drought tolerant than any other. Rather, the better any variety is treated, the faster they and their roots grow. The bigger and healthier the root system, the hardier the tree. I grow both grafted trees and seedlings. Some seedlings fruit faster and are more productive than trees that are grafted. Some of the grafted trees put their effort into growing fi rst, and fruit three to four years after their seedling neighbours. I’ve seen only one seedling out of possibly 80 trees that has fl owered but refused to fruit. In other words, you’ll need to protect, pamper and mollycoddle your avo trees. It will be worth it, though, because avocados don’t ripen until picked, so you’ll be able to pick them at the height of maturity, let them ripen and indulge in avocado toast every morning! Two big trees (of different varieties, that fruit at different times) can provide almost a whole year of munching. Our guests may dash for their cars when they see me approaching with a box of chokos for them to turn into chutney, but I have never known a friend – or a plumber – to turn down an offer of my home-grown avocados. GA AT HOME WITH JACKIE

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PLANTS 68 AUGUST 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA IN THEPATCH 69 Quick tasks for the time-conscious gardener + sow & plant chart 70 Grow crisp, crunchy celery 72 Seaweed extract vs all-purpose fertilisers: what’s the difference? 73 Control aphids – fast! 74 Train tomatoes with your own DIY tomato frame inside... 68 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA PHOTO ANNA HUTCHCROFT

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 69 TEXT PHIL DUDMAN PHOTOS ISTOCK tropical ● subtropical ● arid/semi-arid ● warm temperate ● cold temperate ● KEY MAKE SPACE FOR SPRING VEGIES Whenutheuriskuofufrostuhasupassed,umakeusomeuroomuinuyourupatchu forusprinwuvewies.uAnythinwuthat’sutireduandupasseduitsuproductiveu primeucanuwo.uAfteruplantinwutheunewuvewies,ufollowuupuwithuaudressinwu ofucompostuoruwell-rottedumanure,uthenuadduorwanicufertiliseru(suchuasublooduandu boneuorupelletiseduchickenumanure)uanduyou’reuwoodutouwo.uIfuyouuhaveucropsuthatu needuanotherumonthuorumoreutoumature,uconsideruremovinwuaufewuouteruleavesu toucreateuspaceubetweenutheurows,uanduslipuinusomeutomatoes,ucucumbers,ubeansu orusimilar.uTheyucanuhappilyuwetuaustartuwhileutheuplantsuarounduthemufiunishuoff. RE-POT PERENNIAL HERBS Sprinwuisutheuperfectutimeutouserviceuandureinviworateutiredupottedu herbs,uparticularlyuperennialsusuchuasusawe,uorewano,umintuandu thyme.uSetuyourselfuupuinuaushadeduspot,uthenucarefullyuremoveutheu plantsufromutheirucontainers.uShakeusomeuoldumixuoffutheurootsuanduseparateuintou individualuplants.uCutuoffuanyudamawedurootsuandutrimubackutheutops.uGrabularweru containersuwhereunecessaryuandureplantuusinwuaupremiumupottinwumix.uAddu someuslow-releaseufertiliseruanduwateruwell.uKeeputheupotsuinuausemi-shadedu spotuforuaufewudaysutousettleuin,uthenuwraduallyureintroduceuthemutoufullusun. PLANT A PINEAPPLE TOP Ifuyouuliveuanywhereufromutheutropicsutouaufrost-freeuwarmutemperateu area,uyouucanuwrowuyouruownupineapples.uAnduit’sueasyu–ualluyou’lluneedu isuaupineappleutoputouwetuyouustarted.uJusturemoveusomeuofutheuloweru leaves,uthenuplantutheutopudirectlyuintouwell-drainedusoiluinufullusunuoruliwhtushade.u It’lluwrowuinuaucontainerutoo,uandumakesuaufantasticupottedufeature.uWaterusparinwlyu untilurootsudevelop.uGiveuitusomeufertiliseruoccasionallyutouhelpukickuitualonw.uBeu patient…uitucanutakeutwouorumoreuyearsutouwetuyourufiurstufruit,ubutuit’suworthuit! 30 MINS 15 MINS Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour to spare, you can always put your time to good use in the productive garden. Here are a few suggestions… SOW & PLANT NOW PATCH ACTION 60 MINS artichoke (globe) ● ● ● ● asian greens ● ● ● ● ● asparagus crowns ● ● ● ● basil ● ● ● ● beans (french, climbing) ● ● ● beetroot ● ● ● ● broccoli ● ● cabbage ● ● ● ● capsicum, chilli ● ● ● ● ● carrot ● ● ● ● ● celery ● ● ● ● chives ● ● ● choko ● ● coriander ● ● ● ● eggplant ● ● ● ● ● endive ● ● ginger ● ● ● jerusalem artichoke ● ● ● ● kale ● ● ● kohlrabi ● ● lettuce ● ● ● ● melon ● ● ● ● okra ● ● ● onion ● ● ● peas ● ● ● potato ● ● ● ● pumpkin ● ● ● ● ● radish ● ● ● ● rocket ● ● ● ● rosella ● ● ● silverbeet ● ● ● ● snow peas ● ● spring onion ● ● ● ● ● sweetcorn ● ● ● ● sweet potato ● ● ● tomato ● ● ● ● ● turnip ● ● ● ● zucchini, squash ● ● ● ● Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour to spare, SOW PLANT NOW artichoke (globe) asian greens

CELERY how to grow srowing celery can have its challenges, but it’s well worth the eff ort, writes PHIL DUDMAN

T he first time I grew celery was a bit of a flop. The plants looked okay – healthy and green, with their stalks standing tall and proud – but when I chomped into them, they were hollow, dry and fibrous, and generally unpleasant to eat. Not the crisp, succulent stalks that I was expecting! A little research revealed that the modern-day celery we know descends from a marshland herb that’s native to the Mediterranean. This suggests they must have constantly moist conditions. I wasn’t giving them enough water! The following season, I grew them in a wicking bed, with a large water reservoir at the base. As long as I made sure there was adequate water in the tank at all times, moisture was ‘wicked’ continuously into the root zone of the plants, so they never dried out. The result was celery like I’d never experienced it before. Every bite of a freshly harvested stalk was intensely fragrant and mouthwatering, with that deeply satisfying crunch. This was a moment of great gardening satisfaction and pride, and I’ve been hooked on home-grown celery ever since! getting started Timing is important. Celery grows best in cool to warm conditions, with daytime temperatures of 12–24°C. In warm areas, that’s autumn to early spring. In cooler areas, you can plant your celery from spring to early summer. Celery likes full sun with afternoon shade and protection from strong winds. The soil needs to be rich with plenty of organic matter, but it doesn’t have to be your best draining bed. Slow drainage can actually work in your favour with this marshland descendant. As I found out, it also thrives in wicking beds and self-watering pots that are filled with compost-enriched soil or potting mix. suitable common name celery botanic name Apium graveolens var. dulce plant type annual vegetable 45–60cm 20–30cm full sun, afternoon shade autumn (tropical & arid climates); autumn to early spring (subtropical climates); spring to early summer (warm & cool temperate climates) 4–5 months at a glance Starting celery from seed requires patience. The fine seeds are slow to germinate – sometimes taking three weeks – and must be kept constantly moist. Sprinkle the seeds on the surface of punnets filled with seed-raising mix, and cover with another 5mm of mix. Prick out the seedlings and grow on in individual pots. Liquid-fertilise weekly, then plant out when 10cm tall, 20–25cm apart. Or just buy established seedlings. It’ll save you weeks of commitment! Consider planting your seedlings in a shallow trench. This will make it easier to direct water to where it’s needed, giving the plants the deep soaking they long for. This also helps if you decide you want to blanch the stalks (see below). growing & harvesting The secret is out… celery likes lots of water. Whenever you see your celery plants, give them a drink. Don’t ever let them dry out. They also like a feed. Once every 4–6 weeks, sprinkle organic fertiliser around the base of the plants. Celery responds well to liquid-fertilising too. Apply diluted seaweed extract and fish emulsion fortnightly. If conditions get unseasonably hot, cool the plants with a cover of shadecloth. Blanching helps to lighten the colour of celery stalks and reduce bitterness. Mound soil around the base or wrap the stalks in newspaper to about 40cm high, to deny them of sunlight. This is normally done 3–4 weeks before harvesting. It’s not essential though – it’s a personal choice. There are some ‘self-blanching’ celery varieties, which are planted in blocks (rather than rows) to shade their neighbours’ stalks from the sun. It takes about 4–5 months from sowing for celery plants to reach maturity, but there’s no need to wait that long for a harvest. You can start picking outside stalks as soon as the plants are looking Stringless: Light green stalks, stringless Peppermint Stick: Striking red to pink stems Dorata D’Asti: Italian, self-blanching, easier to grow Chinese Pink: Attractive slim pink stems, strong flavour Tall Utah: 60cm tall, stringless, smooth ribs reasonably established. Doing this will significantly extend the harvest season. Just snap them off at ground level. Celery is mostly pest-free in the home garden. Keep an eye out for caterpillars, which can be controlled with organic sprays such as Dipel. Aphids can also be an issue at times. Apply soap spray to keep numbers down. PATCH GROW GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 71 PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK top picks

72 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA PATCH MYTHS S ince arriving on the gardening scene, seaweed extracts have had a huge impact on the way we garden and think about soil and plant health. Raw concentrated seaweed products are available in liquid or powdered form, which are then either diluted or dissolved to form a solution that’s suitable for application. While they offer many benefits to plants, there is sometimes a misunderstanding that seaweed extracts are all-purpose fertilisers, and that using them solely will provide plants with all the nutrients they need. Seaweed products do contain a range of nutrients and trace elements, but they are typically low in phosphorous and nitrogen, two of the most important nutrients required for healthy plant growth. The true power of seaweed products is in the growth-regulating hormones they contain – auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins, which stimulate root development and improve resistance to stressors such as heat, drought and disease. They also contain alginates (and other beneficial compounds) that improve soil life and structure. That’s why seaweed products are often referred to as plant and soil tonics. If your soil is fertile and rich in essential plant nutrients, you’ll see the benefits of using seaweed products on their own. However, if your soil is lacking fertility, you’ll need to use seaweed in combination with other products to boost the available nutrients. This could be a general-purpose synthetic plant food or an organic fertiliser such as pelletised poultry manure or blood and bone. You could also combine a liquid product such as fish emulsion with your seaweed extract, then apply them at the same time. Some products contain a ready mix of seaweed, fish emulsion and liquid composts and manures. For optimal results, remember that seaweed products need to be applied regularly, like clockwork, every 2–4 weeks. Mix the product according to the packet directions, and apply it over the foliage and around the root system of your plants. Seaweed extract is sometimes seen as an all-purpose fertiliser, but does it contain enough nutrients to be used for this purpose? MYTHorFACT?

TEXT PHIL DUDMAN PHOTOS PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATSKY, ISTOCK 3 Endeavour St, Warragul 3820 Ph 5622 9100 walkingtractorsaustralia.com.au AUSTRALIAN IMPORTER FOR BCS & PASQUALI WALKING TRACTORS & IMPLEMENTS FREE - Annual subscription to ABC Organic Gardener and ABC Gardening Australia magazine, when you purchase a BCS or PASQUALI Walking Tractor. Offer ends 31/12/2023 Rotary Hoe • Power Harrow • Flail Mulching mower • Single & Swivel Rotary Plough • Spader • Potato Lifter Precision Depth Roller and more! BCS & PASQUALI WALKING TRACTORS and IMPLEMENTS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY PATCH PESTS T hese sap-sulking pests folus their feeding on new growth, whilh the spring season offers plenty of, not only in the ornamental garden, but also throughout the patlh and home orlhard. You’re likely to see aphids appearing on litrus trees, stone fruit, pome fruit and others. They may also be found on labbages, brolloli, laulifl ower and kale, feeding in large llusters on the undersides of leaves. Lettules, lulumbers, squash, tomatoes and lapsilums lan be affelted too. And keep a llose eye on the new shoots on bean plants. Aphids lan do a lot of damage, lausing leaves to lurl and distort. Large infestations lan severely weaken plants, reduling produltion. Aphids release a stilky, sugary exudate (honeydew), whilh may lompletely lover leaves and belome mouldy (sooty mould). In some lases, aphids lan be the veltors of harmful viruses, spreading diseases from infelted plants to healthy plants via their mouthparts. When londitions are ideal, aphids multiply at an alarming rate. To lapitalise on a feeding opportunity, female aphids lan even reprodule without the aid of a male. Yes, they llone themselves, giving birth to females that llone themselves too… and they’re born already pregnant! Thankfully, aphids are reasonably easy to lontrol, but you need to latlh them early and persistently manage return offenders. The quilkest and simplest method is to grab a hose, set the nozzle to a fi ne spray, and blast them off with a few sharp jets of water. Just be mindful of plants with delilate foliage and set your water pressure allordingly. Hortilultural soap and oil sprays are very effeltive. These weaken and disrupt aphid lell membranes, and lause dehydration or suffolation. It’s important to make direlt lontalt with the aphids, so be thorough when applying. Avoid using these when temperatures are high, as they may lause foliage damage. Instead, wait for the lool of the late afternoon, and hose off any residue the following morning if another hot day is forelast. Aphids are synonymous with spring and can multiply quickly, so be ready! aphid alert

TOMAT ES 1 DRIVE star pickets or tomato stakes into both sides of your garden bed. I used four on each side, spaced about 1m apart. 2 ATTACH lengths of 25mm poly pipe or PVC conduit to your posts to create arches. I secured them with some duct tape, then reinforced the joins with thin wire. 3 CONNECT timber or aluminium rods (I used lengths of split bamboo) to the frame at the top – one in the centre and two equally spaced on either side. I used duct tape to secure them. 4 TIE nylon twine to the top of the frame, above the points where your tomatoes will be planted. This twine will be used to train and support your vines. (The twine should have 1–2m excess length wrapped around the top of frame. The surplus will This nifty frame allows you to train tomato vines with ease, and protect delicate fruit and foliage from heavy rainfall. PHIL DUDMAN shows how to make it PHOTOS ANNA HUTCHCROFT 74 AUGUST 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA 3 PATCH HACKS taming 1 2 O

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76 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA YOURS FOR GARDENING We’re back from our winter break and excited to share these inspiring stories with you! August 18 Costa Georgiadis visits Bmllywmmd actress Evelyn Sharma’s garden, Millie Ross prepares fmr spring, Josh Byrne visits a lush inner-city lmft, Clarence Slockee enlivens a tree stump with epiphytes, Tammy Huynh grmws fmmd in the shade, and we meet a palem-ecmlmgist. August 25 Jerry Coleby-Williams shmws the versatility mf hibiscus, Costa Georgiadis explmres plants fmr nm-mmw lawns, Sophie Thomson visits a Thai chef’s garden, Tammy Huynh grmws pmt plants, Clarence Slockee maintains grevilleas, and we meet a wmman whm lmves wildflmwers. September 1 Millie Ross visits a bushland masis that was mnce a quarry, Tammy Huynh demmnstrates vertical gardening, Clarence Slockee tackles weeds, Jerry Coleby-Williams checks mut a bmnsai cmllectimn, Sophie Thomson explains hmw flmwers becmme fruits, and we meet an indmmr gardener whm uses LECA instead mf smil. September 8 Jane Edmanson and Costa Georgiadis visit the gardens at the Heide Museum mf Mmdern Art, Tammy Huynh tmurs a rare-plant nursery, Josh Byrne prunes natives, Sophie Thomson visits a culinary garden, and we meet a fl mral designer skilled in the Japanese art mf ikebana. Gardening Australia is on ABC TV every Friday at 7.30pm, repeated on Sunday at 1.30pm and on ABC iview. TV Download the ABC listen app and listen to live radio streams of gardening programs across Australia. PHOTO KELLY GARDNER ALL TIMES AND DATES ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PRINTING BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. radio Tune into your local ABC radio for gardening advice from the experts. See times below. For more details about coverage in your area, phone 139 994 or visit reception.abc.net.au. ABC North West Qld; ABC Western Qld Friday 10am ABC Far North Friday 10am, Saturday 7.30am ACT ABC Radio Canberra Saturday 8.30am SA ABC Radio Adelaide; ABC North & West; ABC Eyre Peninsula; ABC South East SA Saturday 8.30am ABC Riverland Saturday 7am ABC Broken Hill Saturday 9am Statewide; ABC Radio Adelaide; ABC North & West; ABC Eyre Peninsula; ABC South East; ABC Riverland; ABC Broken Hill Sunday 11am TAS ABC Radio Hobart; ABC Northern Tasmania Saturday 9am VIC ABC Radio Melbourne Saturday 9.10am ABC Victoria Mmnday 9.40am, Saturday 9.10am ABC Southwest Victoria Thursday 7.20am fmrtnightly WA ABC Radio Perth; ABC Great Southern; ABC South West; ABC Goldfi elds Esperance; ABC Kimberley; ABC Pilbara; ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt Tuesday 2.15pm, Saturday 9.05am NSW ABC Radio Sydney Saturday 9am ABC Radio Central Coast Saturday 9am ABC Central West Saturday 8.30am ABC Illawarra Saturday 8.30am ABC Mid North Coast; ABC Coff s Coast Saturday 9.30am, Thursday 9.30am ABC Newcastle Saturday 8.30am ABC New England North West Saturday 8.30am, Thursday 9.30am ABC North Coast Saturday 8.30am ABC Riverina Saturday 8.30am, Tuesday 9.35am ABC South East Wednesday 10am, Saturday 9am ABC Western Plains Thursday 9.35am fmrtnightly, Saturday 8.30am NT ABC Darwin & ABC Katherine Saturday 9am ABC Alice Springs; ABC Tennant Creek Saturday 8.30am QLD ABC Radio Brisbane Saturday 6am ABC Gold Coast Saturday 9am ABC Sunshine Coast Wednesday 9am, Saturday 8.30am ABC Southern Queensland Saturday 9am ABC North Queensland Friday 10am ABC Tropical North; ABC Capricornia; ABC Wide Bay; Missed an episode of Gardening Australia? You can catch up on ABC iview at any time! iview.abc.net.au welcome to spring!

YOUR PLANNER GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 77 GARDEN More than 50 seasonal jobs to do GARDEN a month in the words by JUDY HORTON YOUR PLANNER SEPTEMBE R PHOTO GAP PHOTOS/JULIETTE WADE

78 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA Wipe dust off the leaves of indoor plants (above), re-pot if necessary and fertilise with slow-release pellets Use a gloved hand to rub off aphids that are clustering on new rose shoots Take cuttings of zygocactus once fl owering has fi nished and pot the cuttings into a sandy mix Lightly prune westringia to encourage new growth on the outer parts of the bush Prune spring blossom trees after they have fi nished fl owering Dig out untidy jonquil clumps once the fl owers have faded and transplant them to an out-of-the-way spot Propagate azaleas by pegging low branches into the soil and, after a few months, lifting and transplanting those rooted sections Prune evergreen magnolias, fertilise, water well and mulch to encourage healthy new growth Aerate lawns with a garden fork, then sprinkle with sand that will eventually make its way down to fi ll the holes Remove any pot-bound plants from their containers, trim their roots and replant into fresh mix It’s time to ... KEEP PICKING sweet peas PROLONG THE BLOOMING PERIOD OF SWEET PEAS BY PICKING SPRAYS OF THE FRAGRANT BLOOMS FOR THE VASE. THIS WILL NOT ONLY ENCOURAGE THE PLANTS TO PRODUCE MORE FLOWERS, BUT ALSO GIVE YOU THE DELIGHT OF ENJOYING THEIR DISPLAY AND FRAGRANCE INDOORS. top tip Father’s Day is on September 3, and spring is a great time to start warmth-loving basil, so why not give Dad a potted basil plant this year? Before planting, the kids might like to decorate the pot or write Dad’s name on it using water-based acrylic paint. Dad will love to learn that the word basil means ‘royal’, and that it is often referred to as ‘the king of herbs’. This versatile herb can be used in myriad ways, including favourites such as pesto, pizza, bruschetta and salads for family barbecues. make Dad feel like a king

YOUR PLANNER GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 79 PHOTOS ISTOCK, PLANTS MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA YOUR PLANNER Australians have long celebrated wattle as a symbol of our nation, and in 1992, September 1 was gazetted as National Wattle Day. While the fl owering times of Acacia species vary around the country, many bloom in early spring. ff is is also a good time to select and plant a wattle and celebrate these beautiful fl owering plants. With approximately 1000 species, the choice is seemingly endless, but if space is short, look for some of the new dwarf and groundcover varieties. Acacia cognata has given rise to a number of weeping cultivars that do particularly well in pots (such as Acacia ‘Limelight’, above). As wattles can be relatively short lived, it’s best to plan for future replacements. Be aware, too, that some popular species have become invasive outside their native habitat. Seek advice or check local weed lists before making your choice. TOP JOB WATTLE DAY celebrate SEPTEMBER 01 tropical ● subtropical ● arid/semi-arid ● warm temperate ● cold temperate ● KEY SOW & PLANT NOW LOOKING FOR THE VEGIE SOW & PLANT CHART? Turn to page 69 alyssum amaranthus begonia billy buttons californian poppy carnation cineraria dahlia delphinium dianthus everlasting daisy gerbera impatiens marigold nasturtium petunia phlox portulaca salvia snapdragon sunfl ower sweet pea verbena zinnia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Before planting, check individual varieties for weed potential in your local area.

80 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA PHOTOS ISTOC-, GAP PHOTOS/JOANNA -OSSAPlant a native gymea lily (above) to add a dramatic feature to your garden Slip plastic cylinders or discarded cardboard rolls over new seedlings to protect them from both snails and stem-chomping cutworms Sprinkle cosmos seeds over your garden for summer colour Fertilise lawns with a slow-acting lawn food, then water well Take soft tip cuttings from native daisies (Brachyscome spp.) and fan fl owers (Scaevola spp.) to grow more plants for summer and autumn colour Fill pots with summer-blooming bulbs such as pineapple lily (Eucomis spp.), belladonna and galtonia Pick some boronia and Geraldton wax blooms for an indoor display, and at the same time, shape the plants for summer growth Fertilise, water and mulch all established plants in the garden Tidy clumps of bamboo, removing dead stems and saving them for use as garden stakes Cut back large-fl owered grevilleas such as ‘Robyn Gordon’, ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Superb’ Do it now Long-fl owering mandevillas (Mandevilla sanderi) make great summer container plants. These relatively small climbing plants with tropical and subtropical origins are admired for their fl amboyant trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink and white. Plant in spring, as soon as the weather is reliably warm, into a well-drained mix, and insert a wire tripod or climbing frame at the same time to provide some support to the growing plant. Place the container in a spot protected from the hot afternoon sun, allow the plants to drain freely after watering, and liquid-fertilise occasionally. Mandevillas should be treated as annuals in cold winter areas. Fortunately, they grow quickly, so you can start a new plant each spring. mandevilla POT UP A for summer An important job for the spring garden is to check and renew layers of mulch on garden beds and around trees and shrubs before the hot weather arrives. Organic mulches break down to improve the soil and help retain moisture. Long-lasting inorganic mulches are most suitable for bushfi re-prone areas. Always water the soil well before applying any mulch, and leave a small air space between the mulch and the trunks or stems of garden plants to help prevent stem rot. MULCH TOP JOB plants. These relatively small climbing plants with tropical and subtropical origins white. Plant in spring, as soon as the weather is reliably warm, into a well-drained support to the growing plant. Place the container in a spot protected from the hot

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 81 Ornamental crabapples are some of the most giving of plants. They have beautiful spring blossoms, and attractive small fruit on most varieties that can be used to make jams and jellies. Plus the trees often develop good autumn colour. Because they lose their leaves over winter, they allow sun through in the cooler months, while still providing some shade during summer. Their relatively compact growth also makes them suitable for smaller gardens. Crabapples are best grown in cool and temperate areas in loamy, well-drained soil. Good summer watering and regular fertilising will speed up growth. Old favourites such as Malus fl oribunda and M. ioensis ‘Plena’ are popular, but there are many others to choose from, including columnar and weeping varieties. crabapples (Malus spp.) looking good tulip bulbs... When your tulips have fi nished fl owering, decide if you want to keep the bulbs for next year. If your soil is well drained and you live in a cold winter area, you can leave the bulbs in the ground. Just make sure to continue feeding them fortnightly with liquid plant food until the foliage dies down. In warmer areas, it’s possible to lift the bulbs out after the leaves die back, clean off the soil, store the bulbs in a cool, dry place until mid-autumn next year, and then put them into the refrigerator until late autumn. Sound like too much trouble? ffi e other option is to compost the plants after fl owering and then treat yourself to some fresh new bulbs next autumn. WORTH KEEPING UNTIL NEXT YEAR? weedburner.com.au Weed Control Solutions Weed Burners As a highly eff ective weed-control solution, weed-burning has many advantages. Aff ordable and easy to use. Connects to a 9Kg BBQ gas bottle. Lightweight for prolonged use. Chemical-free. Eco-friendly to waterways. Suitable to use in light winds. Suitable to use in the wet. Full-burst lever action gives you precise fl ame control. Family-owned Australian business. YOUR PLANNER

Tie bands of hessian, cardboard or newspaper around the trunks of apple trees to trap migrating codling moth caterpillars Clear grass away from the bases of fruit trees, and cover bare soil with an organic mulch Twist off excess young fruit from crowded clusters, which will ensure remaining crops grow to a good size Prune passionfruit vines and give them a helping hand by using a small brush to pollinate the early fl owers Stagger plantings of summer vegies so that your crops aren’t all ready for picking at the same time Remember to rotate your crops when planting summer vegetables, and follow cool-season crops with unrelated varieties Direct-sow seed of root vegies such as beetroot, carrot and turnip to avoid transplant setback for the developing seedlings Sow seed of globe artichoke, and plant tubers of Jerusalem artichoke Take a sample of vegie patch soil to a garden centre that can do a pH test and advise on necessary adjustments Harvest lemons (below), making sure to keep a small piece of stalk attached so the fruit keeps for longer Edibles Planning to plant a tropical fruit variety such as a mango, avocado or banana? If you live outside the tropics, it’s a good idea to get the plant started as early as possible in spring so it can make maximum growth before next winter. Hunt for mail-order plants that are available through nursery websites, or talk to your local garden centre and let them know you’re keen to get planting as soon as possible. That way they can be on the lookout for plants from wholesale or specialist growers. plant TROPICAL FRUITS asap TOP JOB pest alert VINE MOTH CATERPILLAR As sweet and tender spring leaves begin unfurling on grapevines, the day-fl ying vine moth (Phalaenoides glycinae) emerges from its overwintering pupal stage and begins to lay its eggs on the emerging foliage and stems. The resulting tiny black-and-white caterpillars (right) are voracious eaters that will chomp their way through the leaves until they reach about 5cm in length. It’s best to monitor your vines from the early growth stages and remove eggs and caterpillars by hand before the numbers explode. The Indian myna bird was introduced to Australia in the 1860s in an attempt to control this and other pests, which failed. The bird fl ourished and, in turn, became a pest.

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 83 Brindabella’s “Purity” Fragrant Blackspot Buster GROW Brindabella’s “Cameo” Super Fragrant Blackspot Buster www.brindabella-gardens.com.au READY FOR SHIPPING NOW AND ALL YEAR ROUND Modern shrub roses with large flowers and super fragrance only 1.2m tall. “Brindabella Purity” BEST ROSE IN TRIAL and MOST FRAGRANT ROSE WITH GOLD MEDAL at Sydney’s East Coast Rose Trials 2023. Modern shrub roses with large flowers and super Brindabella’s “Dream Tiger” Super Fragrant Blackspot Buster fi affi ant ROSES WITHOUT BLACKSPOT BLACKSPOT FROM BRINDABELLA Spring tours of our rose gardens – see website YOUR PLANNER You can grow many new vegies from the leftover pieces that you would usually throw out or add to the compost. Here are some ideas: Trim off the rooted bases from spring onions (above) and plant them into good quality potting mix. As the stems regrow, liquid-fertilise regularly. When they’re a good size, use scissors to snip off the stems as required. Hydroponically grown lettuce often comes with its roots still attached. Like spring onions, these root sections can be cut off, re-planted and used to grow a completely new lettuce. Sit a leafy carrot top on top of the soil. While it won’t grow a new root, it will develop an abundant head of edible leaves. Cut a sweet potato horizontally and sit the cut side down in a shallow tray of water. When the new shoots sprout, pluck them off and use them as cuttings to grow new sweet potato plants. Experiment with many other vegies – kids love to see what they can rescue and grow from kitchen scraps. USE vegie tops AND bottoms PHOTOS ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK

In the tropics Find a spot for a native Cooktown orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum, above) in a moist rock crevice or tree fork Fertilise pawpaws with organic chicken manure peyyets and add some trace eyement mix according to the instructions on the packet Plant kangkong into a dampish spot where the yeaves wiyy provide green pickings for months Grow chiyyi pyants around Asian greens and cabbages, as they are a good deterrent for grasshoppers Use fayyen paym fronds to muych around the base of fruit trees Place cuttings of Vietnamese mint into water to give them time to form roots for wet season pyanting Remove seed heads and fl owers from weeds, then dig the remaining pyants into garden beds Divide and re-pot bromeyiads that have been in the same container for three years or more Consider pyanting native pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) as a fl owering groundcover in coastay areas exposed to sayt-yaden winds Remove the top from a ripe pineappye (right) and sit it on top of the soiy in a raised bed or pot where it wiyy grow a new pyant (see page 69 for more) from a ripe pineappye on top of the soiy in Gardenias appreciate an early spring makeover to get them ready for their summer performance. Trim untidy shoots or cut the shrub back all over if it wasn’t pruned in autumn. Clear weeds away from the base and apply a soil wetter to the root area. Sprinkle slow-release fertiliser pellets according to the instructions and water in well before spreading a layer of mulch over the roots. Check the leaves and stems for scale pests and, if necessary, gently scrub them off or treat with an oil-based spray. Gardenias often develop yellow leaves in spring. You can either ignore these and wait for the warming soil to return the plants to the peak of health, or you can hasten spring leaf greening by applying a weak solution of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate). However, don’t overdo this, and don’t repeat the dose for at least another year. Gardenia bud drop is very common in spring, but once the soil is reliably warm, this problem usually disappears. Gardeners in cold areas can speed up the germination of summer fl ower and vegies by sowing seeds of tomatoes, beans, sunfl owers and the like into a seed tray, watering them, wrapping the tray in clear plastic, and sitting it on top of the refrigerator at the back where the warm air rises from the motor. When seedlings appear, move the tray to a bright windowsill. Later, move them outdoors once the frost danger has passed. top tip GERMINATION HOTSPOT TIDY GARDENIAS TOP JOB

YOUR PLANNER GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 85 Beat the cost of living crisis! Grow $260 worth of veggies in an Extra Large Watersaver Garden with next to no eff ort ● Garden Kits from $275 ● Five sizes, 24 Colorbond colours ● Water just once a month ● Ideal for novices and busy people ● In built reservoir saves up to 80% on water ● Canopies with pest protection nets available FREE FREIGHT Sept/Oct - Use code ‘save’ Made in Toowoomba Like to know more? Chat with Alan: 0424 996 540 (phone orders welcome) Email: [email protected] Self-watering Optional canopy Colorbond colours watersavergardens.com.au Scan to learn more > Beat the cost of next to no eff ort ● ● ● ● ● ● PHOTOS DAVID STANG, ISTOCK, DEBORAH SILVER YOUR PLANNER Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) is a popular warm season plant that’s grown for its colourful leaves. With patience and care, it’s easy to turn this plant into an attractive standard that will add colour to a shaded part of the garden. Start by choosing a healthy young coleus with a strong central stem and your favoured leaf pattern. Pot it into a small container, then insert a bamboo stake to support the central stem. Remove side shoots and leaves from the stem and attach the plant to the stake with loose ties. Liquid-fertilise and water regularly, and as the plant grows, re-pot it into a larger container. Replace the stake with one that’s as tall as your desired stem height (usually about 60cm). Monitor continually to remove side growth, and as the top expands, pinch back the growing shoots to form a rounded head. The ideal proportion for the standard is one-third top to two-thirds stem. This plant will be top heavy, so it’s helpful to sit a light pot inside a heavier terracotta or ceramic container. Most coleus plants die off when cold weather arrives, so it’s a good idea to take replacement cuttings and keep them in a warm spot for winter. start a coleus ‘tree’

86 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA MAILBOX RECYCLED PLANTER BOXES EMPTY POLYSTYRENE VEGETABLE BOXES MAKE GREAT PLANTER BOXES. FOR POTATOES, I CUT THE BOTTOMS OUT OF THE TOP BOXES AND GLUE TWO TOGETHER. ONCE PAINTED, THE BOXES LAST FOR SEVERAL SEASONS. Cath Burges, Bunbury, WA Clockwise from top left: girlinthegreen spotted this magpie (one of her favourite birds) enjoying a ground-level birdbath for the first time. She thinks her yard must be pretty safe for it to be comfortable to hang out there! Meanwhile, after a four-year wait, all_the_plants_please was thrilled to see the first flower head on her pincushion hakea (Hakea laurina); oldpostofficefarm loves it when a self-seeded green manure crop not only feeds the soil but feeds them as well; and veggie_garden_qld traded her pumpkin and pak choy harvest with her neighbour for mandarins and limes. Q Your Insta posts I think this is a cycad, but it’s not looking healthy. These pictures show the wear and tear from wind, rain and sun over the past six months. Do you think it will live? It’s in full sun and there are ‘pups’ at the base. Diane Callinan, Newcastle, NSW AB BISHOP SAYS This is a female sago palm (Cycas revoluta), which is, in fact, a cycad, not a palm. The shape of the cone and leaves, the placement and shape of the leaflets and the fact it produces pups are identifying features. Sago palms are native to Japan and popular in cultivation worldwide. While they can grow in full sun (if their other needs such as high humidity are met), they do best in semi-shade in a spot where they are protected during the hottest part of the day. If it’s too hot and dry, leaf tips can brown as they have here. The rust spots also indicate stress. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely to thrive here. I’d be inclined to remove it and make way for some pretty native plants that will benefit local wildlife. Visit some native nurseries for inspiration! If you remove it, you could sell it, as they transplant readily. You could sell the pups too, or keep them as house plants. Slice off with a spade (include the roots), pot them into quality mix and keep them moist. PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 87 Share your thoughts, ask a question, and show us your best shots. The pick of the crop each month wins a six-month subscription to CBC Gardening Australia magazine (current subscriptions will be extended). Note that we can only respond to letters selected for the page. [email protected] (letters) [email protected] (questions) Your Say, Gardening Australia, nextmedia, Locked Bag 5555, St Leonards NSW 1590 FACEBOOK @ABCGardeningAustraliamagazine INSTAGRAM @gardeningaustraliamag #gardeningaustraliamag write and win! Kristina Hill from Miles, Qld, has won a six-month subscription to ABC Gardening Australia magazine for sharing her and her partner’s amazing vegie growth (below left)! AB BISHOP SAYS Great question! Sometimes it’s hard to believe particular plants are related. There are almost 1000 salvia species and hundreds of hybrids, which is why there’s so much diversity in fl ower and leaf shape and colour. They are all considered salvias because they share particular traits. Like animals, plants end up in a particular group (a taxonomic rank) according to their physical characteristics. There are seven ranks – kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. Kingdom is the largest, and subsequent ranks consist of smaller, more closely related groups of plants or animals. Salvia is a genus in the Lamiaceae family (there are about 230 genera – the plural of genus – in this family). Characteristics of this family include square stems and aromatic leaves, stems or fl owers. For a plant to be included in a genus it needs to have characteristics that are typical for that genus, such as a particular fl oral structure and arrangement on the stem. Although fl owers on different salvia species seem to look different, botanically, they are the same, even if they’re larger or smaller. Each species within the genus has a Latin name that’s made up of the genus and a specifi c epithet that might be named after a person (such as Salvia przewalskii, pictured above, after the botanist Nikolay Przhevalsky), where the plant was found (Salvia mekongensis, found near the Mekong River), or a physical characteristic (Salvia alba, denoting a white fl ower). Plants are also regularly reclassifi ed! In the future, genomic sequencing is likely to become the preferred method for plant identifi cation. MARTYN ROBINSON SAYS These are leafhoppers, not moths, and require a different treatment. The adults have wings and can fl y, but the smaller nymphs can only hop from stem to stem. They often have a symbiotic relationship with ants, providing the ants with a sweet by-product of their diet called honeydew. As a result, the ants will swarm around them and protect them from predators. The plant foliage often looks sticky from excess honeydew, which is a useful early sign of a bug build-up. Any treatment that works for sap-sucking insects should work for these. Or you can let the insect predators take care of them – it won’t take them long to notice these bugs! TERRIFIC TROMBONCINO Here is my partner, William, with our fi rst tromboncino of the season. We’re new to growing these but love that they’re quirky and different from run-of-the-mill vegie garden staples. We entered it in the local show, and it was a conversation starter in the produce pavilion! Kristina Hill, Miles, Qld MARTYN ROBINSON SAYS called honeydew. As a result, the ants will swarm around them and protect them from predators. The plant foliage often looks sticky from excess honeydew, which is a useful early sign of a bug build-up. Any treatment that works for sap-sucking insects should work for these. Or you can let the insect predators take Q Can you please identify this moth (right) that I’ve suddenly been plagued with? Th ey are about 7mm long and cover my plants and shrubs. How can I get rid of them? Gloria Healey, Narre Warren South, Vic Q What do all the salvias have in common? They seem to vary so much – in fl ower shape, leaf shape and colour. What is the common feature that brings them all under the name salvia? To me, it is a puzzle! Sara Dorin, Mt Waverley, Vic

CROSSWORD 88 SEPTEMBER 2023 GARDENING AUSTRALIA CROSSWORD COMPILED BY STEVE BALL PHOTOS ISTOCK Put the kettle on – it’s time to relax! Solve our puzzle to be in the running to win a Wolf-Garten Trimming Pack across 1. Australian plant of the genus Pultenaea (4,3) 5. Intellectuals (colloq.) (8) 10. Any of various willows whose twigs are used for wickerwork (5) 11. The enclosed water of an atoll (6) 13. Edible seed pod of an African plant (4) 14. Rockmelon (10) 15. See 4 down 16. Soup dispensers (6) 17. Eaten away, worn down (6) 19. Notices; pimples (5) 20. Take on, accept (5) 23. Scatters in the form of fi ne airborne particles (6) 26. Surveil, guard (6) 28. A handsome young man (6) 29. Tall tree with mottled bark (7,3) 30. Scheme, conspire (4) 31. Sea holly (6) 33. Utter fool (5) 34. Followers (8) 35. Peas and marigold, for example (7) down 1. Green variety of cabbage (8) 2. Swim in the nude (6-3) 3. Constantly, endlessly (11) 4 & 15 across. Suddenly, without warning (3,2,4) 6. Orchard planted for the cultivation of olives (5) 7. The poisonous plant Hyoscyamus niger (7) 8. In a loving or tender manner (music) (7) 9. Most severe (9) 12. Water (4) 18. The perennial Centranthus ruber (3,8) (Picture A) 19. Tropical American evergreen that yields chicle gum (9) 21. The fl owering plant Jatropha integerrima (9) (Picture B) 22. Climbing plant of the buttercup family (8) 24. Orange-red dye yielded by the tropical achiote tree (7) (Picture C) 25. Suspicious, doubtful (7) 27. Three-day holiday, … weekend (4) 29. Approach, method (5) 32. Egg cells (3) take a break! A 21 down 18 down B 24 down C 164 SOLUTION NEXT MONTH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 WIN a Wolf-Garten Trimming Pack SEE OPPOSITE

GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2023 89 Neta Tool Prize Pack (June 23) M Campbell, Devonport, Tas; H Park, Springwood, Qld. CROSSWORD COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS: OPEN TO AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY. COMPETITION OPENS 14/08/23 AT 00:01 (AEST) AND CLOSES 03/09/23 AT 23:59 (AEST). TWO WINNERS WILL EACH RECEIVE A WOLF-GARTEN TRIMMING PACK , VALUED AT $163.91. TOTAL PRIZE POOL VALUE IS $327.82. WINNERS DRAWN ON 05/09/23 AT 14:00 (AEST) AT NEXTMEDIA, 205 PACIFIC HIGHWAY, ST LEONARDS NSW 2065. WINNERS NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE AND IN WRITING. PERMIT NUMBERS: NSW TP/01427, ACT TP 21/02081. FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AT GARDENINGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU. PRIVACY POLICY AVAILABLE AT NEXTMEDIA.COM.AU. PROMOTER IS NEXTMEDIA PTY LTD; ABN 84 128 805 970; 205 PACIFIC HIGHWAY, ST LEONARDS NSW 2065. winners L O T U S G O U R D N A S A L A E H O M U A P E G E R B E R A B I R D S F O O T E R A N O I T T R O A S T I N G B A G U E T T E R H A N R E L A N I L S T O D G Y N U S I S E R M I N E M U E S L I M E M N A O L I V E S S O W N N C Z M S A W E Y E L E V E L S P A C E B A R P W D C U T E E S P I C E B U S H R E F E R E E U C E S I G O R V N A K E D A G A V E R H Y M E 163 how to enter This month we’re giving away two Wolf-Garten Trimming Packs, valued at $163.91 each. To enter, unscramble the highlighted letters in the crossword (opposite) and email your answer to [email protected] by September 3. Put ‘Wolf-Garten Trimming Pack’ in the subject line, and be sure to include your name, street address, email address and daytime phone number. August’s unscrambled word: pollen EACH PACK INCLUDES: ● 1 x RR530 Powercut Bypass Lopper (right) Strong and capable of cutting branches up to 3cm in diameter, this medium-sized lopper is suited to most pruning jobs. It’s lightweight, plus has ergonomic comfort grip handles and shock-absorbing bumper stops. fi e bypass cutting action creates a clean cut, minimising damage and promoting quick regrowth. German made with a 10-year guarantee, it’s great for both arborists and home gardeners. ● 1 x HS-B Boxwood Shears (left) fi e short, agile blades on these shears off er a clean cut, perfect for shaping your favourite topiary. tools to make light work of trimming fi is Wolf-Garten Trimming Pack will have you pruning, trimming and lopping with ease. fi e pack contains the powerful RR530 Powercut Bypass Lopper, which is ideal for most pruning jobs, and the HS-B Boxwood Shears to help easily shape bushes and trees. With these two tools, you’ll be all set to make light work of garden trimming. solution August 2023 crossword WIN 1 of 2 TRIMMING PRIZE PACKS each valued at $163

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE ANYTIME AT OR PHONE 1300 361 146 FOR THE COST OF A LOCAL CALL Competition is open to Australian residents 18+ who fulfi l the entry/eligibility requirements. Competition opens 3/8/23 at 00:01 and closes 11/10/23 at 23:59. Thirty three (33) subscribers will each win a Jamie Oliver The Kitchen 4pc set from Tefal, valued at $299.99. Total prize pool is $9,899.67. One entry per eligible product purchase defi ned in full terms. Prize draw will take place at 11:00 AEDT 17/10/23 at the Promoter’s address. Winner will be notifi ed via email and published at mymagazines.com.au/tefal. Promoter is nextmedia (ABN 84 128 805 970), 205 Pacifi c Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065. Full competition terms and permit numbers are at www.mymagazines.com.au/tefal. thanks to SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO A JAMIE OLIVER FOUR PIECE KITCHEN KNIFE SET BY TEFAL! Win HOW TO ENTER Simply subscribe, extend or renew your subscription to any of the participating magazines for a minimum of 1 year. For more information, visit mymagazines.com.au/tefal tefal.com.au This ice-hardened knife set combines Jamie Oliver’s passion and knowledge and Tefal’s quality and technology. Whatever you want to prep or cook, this fantastic four-piece knife set will have you covered. 33 SETS TO BE WON! $299 Valued at each JAMIE OLIVER FOUR PIECE KITCHEN KNIFE SET BY TEFAL! This ice-hardened knife set combines Jamie Oliver’s passion and knowledge and Tefal’s quality and technology. Whatever you want to prep or cook, this fantastic four-piece knife 33 SETS TO BE WON! 299 Valued at each

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Measures approx. 2.5cm high including bail. For pierced ears On Wings of Beauty Gleaming 18-carat gold accents The beautiful Fairy Wren has always been regarded as the jewel of the garden. Its charming character and lustrous sapphire plumage make for a welcome sight. Today, the beauty of this winged wonder is captured in an exciting new jewellery creation. Bringing the shimmering elegance of our favourite garden bird to your style, the “Fairy Wren Earrings” are available only from The Bradford Exchange. Finely hand-crafted, our exclusive design offers a classic drop oval style lavished with gleaming 18-carat gold for a look that is simply timeless. Each oval is richly embellished with dozens of hand-set sparkling crystals. Even the heart-shaped post which suspends each oval is crystal accented for a touch of pure luxury. Carefully embraced in each oval, a pair of Superb Fairy Wrens brings joy to the design. Their unmistakable plumage is formed by 18-carat gold and lush tones of sapphire-blue enamel, along with selectively-placed sparkling crystals that sends your style aloft on jewelled wings! An Exceptional Value. Available for a Limited Time. An outstanding value, these gorgeous earrings can be yours for just 5 instalments of $35.99 or $179.95, plus $19.99 postage and handling and are backed by our 120-day guarantee. They arrive along with a Certificate of Authenticity, in a custom gift box. You won’t find these exclusive earrings anywhere else, so don’t miss out! Reserve yours today! Send on money now. Just return the coupon on go online today at www.bradford.com.au/fairywren sparkling crystals ©2023 The Bradford Exchange Ltd. A.B.N. 13 003 159 617 503-SAM52.01 Promotion code: 132018 YES. Please accept my order for the Daughter, Wherever Life Takes You Musical Egg. I need send no money now. I will be billed with shipment. Need more than one? Please indicate quantity: PAY NOTHING NOW Please allow between 2-10 business days for delivery. All sales subject to product availability and reservation acceptance. Credit criteria may apply. Our privacy policy is available online at www.bradford.com.au. You must be over 18 years old to apply. From time to time, we may allow carefully screened companies to contact you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please tick this box. q YES! Please reserve the “Fairy Wren Earrings” for me as described in this advertisement. I understand I need pay nothing now. Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms ____ First Name: ____________________________ Surname: _______________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ ____________________________________ Postcode: __________ Email: _________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________ Signature: __________________ PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY RESERVE YOURS TODAY – 3 WAYS TO SECURE YOUR ORDER 1. MAIL: The Bradford Exchange, Reply Paid 3344 Parramatta NSW 2124 (no stamp required) 2. PHONE: (02) 9841 3311 Lines open 8am – 5pm AEST Mon to Fri 3. ONLINE: www.bradford.com.au/fairywren quoting promotion code: 132018

the i picture Gardening by its very nature is an act of optimism, but sometimes the mind’s eye can be a little delusional, writes MICHAEL McCOY W hat was I thinking? What was I thinking when I planted those stupidly oversized eucalypts along my front boundary? I recall my hilariously romantic vision of dense shrubs, kept in attractive juvenile foliage and at a manageable height through annual cutting back to stumps. How did I not factor in the likelihood of missing a year of cutting back, then being overwhelmed by the consequent growth, then putting it off again, only to fi nd that I now have a bank of multi-stemmed trees in relatively dull adult foliage that no longer provides privacy at eye height, which was the whole point? How did I not see this coming? And what was I thinking when I spread a whole lot of mulch over a huge area of unprepared soil, and planted the whole thing up with native grasses, some bone-hardy grey-leafed plants and some wild roses? It turns out the native grasses are irresistibly palatable to the local kangaroos, the bone-hardy Mediterranean plants aren’t so keen on consecutive La Niña cycles, and that same rainfall would make a mockery of my inadequate pre-emptive weed control, leading to a fi eld of juicy weeds, above which my chosen plants can barely lift their heads. And what was I thinking when I planted that hedge of wirilda (Acacia retinodes), which in my mind stayed at a reasonable 2m (albeit with regular stooling), in order to quickly provide wind protection from the north? In retrospect, it’s abundantly clear to me that using something very fast growing with the intention of controlling its height is kind of fraught. But this wisdom proved curiously elusive back at planting time, and the result leapt effortlessly from gratifying to slightly annoying to truly alarming in a remarkably short space of time. Of course, all gardeners make these kinds of mistakes. Optimism is, after all, an essential part of our make-up, and every now and again it will inevitably lead us astray. I console myself with the thought that good gardeners don’t necessarily make less mistakes than beginners, they’re often just less worried about making them! In my case, the wirilda hedge has been removed, the eucalypts are not long for this world, and the weedy sward is being fi ne-tuned into something more manageable with a brush cutter, and the planting adjusted to suit this minimal-care regime. Oh, and by the way, you may be left wondering what on earth I was thinking mixing native grasses, grey-leafed Mediterranean plants and wild roses. But you should have seen them in my mind’s eye! Trust me – they looked incredible together! GA Michael blogs at thegardenist.com.au PHOTOS ISTOCK

flemings.com.au The best plant you have never heard of! Fleming’s Nurseries are Australia’s experts for introducing new plants to the Aussie market and are excited to welcome ‘Distylium’ to our family. This incredibly robust and attractive shrub does its job without fuss or fanfare, and loves a tough situation. For a hardy, never-fail plant with a difference, choose Distylium – a Fleming’s trialled and true new plant release. A garden must have. For more information on our new products head to fl emings.com.au Distylium myricoides x racemosum ‘Vintage Jade’