Caterpillar on Clivias
The lily caterpillar seems to have increased in numbers and horticultural importance along with the increased popularity of mass-planted crinum or spider lilies (Crinum pedunculatum) and clivias (Clivia miniata). Don looked at a mass planting of ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Frangipani Rust
If you live anywhere along the east coast of Australia you might have noticed that the leaves of your frangipani look brown and rusty. There is a new disease attacking frangipanis in Australia called frangipani or plumeria rust (Coleosporium ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Citrus Gall Wasp
Lumpy growths on young leaf stems, leaf mid-ribs and fruit stalks of citrus trees are caused by a pest called the citrus gall wasp (Bruchophagus fellis). All citrus trees are attacked, but grapefruit and rough lemons are the most susceptible. The ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Taiwan Lily
Don looked at the Taiwan or Formosa lily, a beautiful tall lily that has escaped from gardens to become a weed. It is now outcompeting many of our native Australian plants, and degrading the value of our urban bushland. The species name ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Mickey Mouse Bush
This South African native was once a very popular ornamental plant, but it's now a serious bushland weed in some areas of Australia. An evergreen shrub to 2m (6') tall. Ochna has glossy green leaves with wavy, finely serrated edges and bronze new ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Environmental solution:
Small ferny bright green growths in your lawn in winter are the beginnings of the nasty prickles that will bother you in summer as they indicate bindii. The colder months are the time to deal with bindii (Soliva pterosperma) in lawns as it will ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Cotton Thistle
With their architectural shapes and feathery flower heads, thistles are easily recognisable to gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Although native to Europe, Mediterranean and Western Asia, they have found a niche in some gardens where they are ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Wood Borers
Don looked at a gum tree with marks all over the trunk, probably caused by the larvae of wood boring insects like longicorn or jewel beetles. They're often found feeding in the phloem region just under the bark, and in severe cases they can ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Print fact sheet - Fireweed
Recently on 'Burke's Backyard' Don explained the dangers of fireweed, a pretty yet poisonous yellow flowering weed that is often found in paddocks and pastures. This plant is poisonous to both horses and donkeys, and other livestock can also ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Gymea Lily
Gymea lilies are spectacular Australian native plants with large, compact heads of nectar filled red flowers atop tall, thick stems. Most Australian natives resent being transplanted, but Gymea lilies can be dug up, moved and planted bare rooted. ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Beating Weeds
Don was faced with a gardener's worst nightmare: a backyard completely overgrown with weeds. This thick jungle of nasties included lantana (Lantana camara), wandering jew (Tradescantia albiflora), morning glory (Ipomoea indica) and privet ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Mundulla Yellows
In south-east South Australia a mysterious disease is posing a major threat to a wide range of native plants. The condition was discovered twenty years ago by beekeeper Geoff Cotton, who noticed conspicuous patches of yellow foliage in mature red ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
