Weird And Wonderful Plants
Tillandsias are utterly fascinating and deserve a place in anyone's collection. They are also called living air plants because believe it or not they will grow suspended in nothing but air, hanging from the branches of trees or almost anything. ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) are a diverse family of plants endemic to Central and South America. They are a durable, colorful and exotic plant that grows well indoors or in a pot. The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family, but so are ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Espalier Plants
Choose a plant that already has two strong bottom side shoots or laterals. Dig a hole directly under the trellis. Place the tree into the hole and position the laterals in the same direction as the wire. Back fill and water in. Now tie the ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Carnations (Dianthus)
In 1908, Anna Jarvis chose dianthus caryophyllus (pink carnation) as the emblem of Mother's Day, a celebration she campaigned to create that became a U.S. public holiday in 1914. Today, it is one of the most widespread public holidays. Carnations ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Drought-Tolerant Plants
When most people think of drought-tolerant plants, they immediately think of cactii. Indeed, most succulents require very little water, storing moisture in their leaves and stems, and conserving moisture by have small of vestigial leaves. Bulbs ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Fertilising Trees
Make a circle of holes right around the tree and then come in a metre and make another circle. If it is a big tree you can continue making circles, finishing about one metre from the trunk. Then put a good handful of Dynamic Lifter pellets into ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Ferns That Survive The Dry
Choosing the right fern varieties is important in a water smart garden but there are other things you can do. Mulching is vital for keeping the soil moist. One of the big reasons the ferns are doing so well is because of the protection they get ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Frangipani (Plumeria)
Frangipani (genus Plumeria) is native to tropical and sub-tropical America. However today it is most widely recognised as associated with Hawaii, via the lovely leis. A garden or room can be transformed into a tropic oasis by the clever use of ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Tree Ferns
Pruning tip: restrict pruning to cutting off the old dead fronds beneath the crown. In exposed situations the dead fronds may protect the trunk from sunburn and aid humidity. Do not discard the fronds but crunch them up for mulch. Watering tip: ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
DIY: Build A Boot Bench Seat
The drawers couldn't be easier to make - they're just a box with the lid missing. First step is to join the sides together using glue and nails, then attach the base. The timber for this is ply, it's stable and less likely to warp but the drawer ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Gifts for the gardenia lover:
Gardenia is a genus of evergreen flowering shrubs and trees native to tropical and sub-tropical Australia, Asia and Africa. They are prized for their strong sweet aroma and large flowers. Gardenia prefer sheltered humid locations, and acidic ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Push Reel Mowers
Push reel mowers are undergoing a revival in popularity. Not only are they friendly to the environment (no air or noise pollution), they are also inexpensive to purchase and operate (no fuel), and many people find them an enjoyable form of ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
