Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Lawn Alternatives for High Foot Traffic Areas.

So you’ve decided that you no longer want a lawn, but what will you walk on?

Greenery is better than paving because it’s more cooling in summer but of course needs more care.

I must say though, paving, or large concreted areas do have their fair share of maintenance as well. You can get weeds coming up in cracks, then the pavers or concrete get the dirty aged look so needs to be cleaned off with a high pressure water cleaner.

Not good in times of water restrictions.

But can you grow a waterwise plant alternative for high foot traffic areas? 

 

Pratia peduculata as lawn alternative

I'm talking with Glenice Buck from www.glenicebuckdesigns.com.au

Let’s find out.

 

The three top picks for lawn alternatives in high traffic areas are 

mini mondo grass

trailing pratia (Pratia pedunculata)

Dichondra repens.

A close 4th is native violet(Viola banksia).

For all the latest news - Follow Glenice on Facebook or Instagram

Facebook : www.facebook/glenicebuckdesigns

Instagram: Glenice_Buck_Designs

Or Subscribe to my monthly Garden Greetings Newsletter: www.tinyletter.com/glenicebuckdesigns

 

If you have any questions for me or for Glenice, please write in to [email protected]

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Lawn Alternatives for High Foot Traffic Areas.

So you’ve decided that you no longer want a lawn, but what will you walk on?

Greenery is better than paving because it’s more cooling in summer but of course needs more care.

I must say though, paving, or large concreted areas do have their fair share of maintenance as well. You can get weeds coming up in cracks, then the pavers or concrete get the dirty aged look so needs to be cleaned off with a high pressure water cleaner.

Not good in times of water restrictions.

But can you grow a waterwise plant alternative for high foot traffic areas? 

 

Pratia peduculata as lawn alternative

I'm talking with Glenice Buck from www.glenicebuckdesigns.com.au

Let’s find out.

 

The three top picks for lawn alternatives in high traffic areas are 

mini mondo grass

trailing pratia (Pratia pedunculata)

Dichondra repens.

A close 4th is native violet(Viola banksia).

For all the latest news - Follow Glenice on Facebook or Instagram

Facebook : www.facebook/glenicebuckdesigns

Instagram: Glenice_Buck_Designs

Or Subscribe to my monthly Garden Greetings Newsletter: www.tinyletter.com/glenicebuckdesigns

 

If you have any questions for me or for Glenice, please write in to [email protected]

Garden History

Avenues of Honour

How do Australians remember the fallen or returned from wars?

Is it just built structures such as memorials or is there another way such as an avenue of honour?

In this garden history segment you will discover that there a many other ways to remember those who served in wars, and that these commemorations shall we say, are not confined to capital cities.

Let’s find out what avenues of honor are all about.

 

I'm talking with Stuart Read, a member of the National Committee of the Australian Garden History Society.

Avenues of honour were usually trees, but sometimes shrubs. 

They were to remember service men and women also nurser who did not return from various wars.

In Australia, there are hundreds of these avenues, particularly in Victoria, but other states also.

Smaller populations in country towns felt that loss more than in bigger cities with figures indicating that 1 in 6 never returned from war.

Often they were on main arterial roads leading into town  or in the main town park or showground.

The "Avenue of Honour," in Ballarat is the longest, measuring 23 miles.

It was started by the girls of the town's textile factory, EL Lucas & Co. in remembrance of husbands and boyfriends that never returned from war.

The first 1000 trees were planted on June 3, 1917 and the last 4000 trees on August 16, 1919.

Trees were often exotic, beeches, oaks and elms at first but later native trees were used.

Roma, in Queensland has an avenue of bottle trees, (Brachychiton rupestris.)

You can search for avenues of honour through www.trove.nla.gov.au just type in what you’re looking for in the search box.

Or www.gardenhistorysociety.org.au and click on the advocacy tab or just search avenues, the list will pop up.

If you have any questions for me or for Stuart, why not write in to [email protected] or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

Garden History

Avenues of Honour

How do Australians remember the fallen or returned from wars?

Is it just built structures such as memorials or is there another way such as an avenue of honour?

In this garden history segment you will discover that there a many other ways to remember those who served in wars, and that these commemorations shall we say, are not confined to capital cities.

Let’s find out what avenues of honor are all about.

 

I'm talking with Stuart Read, a member of the National Committee of the Australian Garden History Society.

Avenues of honour were usually trees, but sometimes shrubs. 

They were to remember service men and women also nurser who did not return from various wars.

In Australia, there are hundreds of these avenues, particularly in Victoria, but other states also.

Smaller populations in country towns felt that loss more than in bigger cities with figures indicating that 1 in 6 never returned from war.

Often they were on main arterial roads leading into town  or in the main town park or showground.

The "Avenue of Honour," in Ballarat is the longest, measuring 23 miles.

It was started by the girls of the town's textile factory, EL Lucas & Co. in remembrance of husbands and boyfriends that never returned from war.

The first 1000 trees were planted on June 3, 1917 and the last 4000 trees on August 16, 1919.

Trees were often exotic, beeches, oaks and elms at first but later native trees were used.

Roma, in Queensland has an avenue of bottle trees, (Brachychiton rupestris.)

You can search for avenues of honour through www.trove.nla.gov.au just type in what you’re looking for in the search box.

Or www.gardenhistorysociety.org.au and click on the advocacy tab or just search avenues, the list will pop up.

If you have any questions for me or for Stuart, why not write in to [email protected] or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Holly Leaved Fuchsia:Graptophyllum ilicifolium

There are those gardeners who think that native plants look straggly or messy and won’t plant them in the garden. 

No mixing up of plants for them.

Perhaps the holly leaved fuchsia will have them changing their minds because it looks more like something from the northern hemisphere.

A medium shrub 3-5m high found in fairly dry rainforest areas or along creek bank.

Actually occurring only in a small pocket west of Mackay in Queensland.

Moderately fast grower in warm climates, but slower in cool temperate areas.

WatchLet’s find out more. I'm talking with Adrian O’Malley, horticulturist and native plant expert.

 

PLAY: Holly Leaved Fuchsia_9th October_2019

Graptophyllum ilicifolium, or holly leaved fuchsia is quite unusual, and may just suit your garden.

Leaves look like those of a holly bush so very useful for Christmas decorations perhaps?

The flowers are fuchsia like, but obviously this plant is tougher than your regular fuchsia because of the tougher leaves.

The flowers appear in spring and summer along the stems.

 

Graptophyllum ilicifolium: holly leaved fuchsia

If you have any questions for me or for Adrian, please write in to [email protected]

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Holly Leaved Fuchsia:Graptophyllum ilicifolium

There are those gardeners who think that native plants look straggly or messy and won’t plant them in the garden. 

No mixing up of plants for them.

Perhaps the holly leaved fuchsia will have them changing their minds because it looks more like something from the northern hemisphere.

A medium shrub 3-5m high found in fairly dry rainforest areas or along creek bank.

Actually occurring only in a small pocket west of Mackay in Queensland.

Moderately fast grower in warm climates, but slower in cool temperate areas.

WatchLet’s find out more. I'm talking with Adrian O’Malley, horticulturist and native plant expert.

 

PLAY: Holly Leaved Fuchsia_9th October_2019

Graptophyllum ilicifolium, or holly leaved fuchsia is quite unusual, and may just suit your garden.

Leaves look like those of a holly bush so very useful for Christmas decorations perhaps?

The flowers are fuchsia like, but obviously this plant is tougher than your regular fuchsia because of the tougher leaves.

The flowers appear in spring and summer along the stems.

 

Graptophyllum ilicifolium: holly leaved fuchsia

If you have any questions for me or for Adrian, please write in to [email protected]

PLANT DOCTOR

NEW Citrus Watch

Citrus trees have their fair share of pests of diseases and control is better if it’s done proactively.

Certain times of the year are crucial in beginning your control program, but don’t worry, it’s not too daunting.

 

Let’s find out what needs doing

I'm talking with Steve Falcioni of www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au

 

There are several types of pests

Sap Sucking Pests: control with botanical oils such as eco Oil

mites, 

Fruit flies sting the fruit leaving a telltale black spot on the outside.

aphids,

scale, 

bronze orange bug- need to control at green nymph stage when the bugs measure only a few millimetres. Once they start to colour up, oils will not control them. 

neem oil is registered for control of bronze-orange bugs on ornamental citrus.

Chewing Pests; caterpillars: control with Dipel

Queensland fruitfly: control with pheremone lures, spinosad based pesticides and/or exclusion netting.

Mediterranean fruitfly (found in W.A.) control with spinosad based pesticide and/or exclusion netting.

Timing is the key for pests and diseases because they have a lifecycle which tells us when the pest is most vulnerable or when the diseases is most likely to strike.

This is a good indicator of when control is most effective.

After all, you don’t want to waste your time, energy and money using a product that won’t work as well as it should because it’s the wrong timing.

If you have any questions for me or for Steve, why not write in to [email protected] or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

PLANT DOCTOR

NEW Citrus Watch

Citrus trees have their fair share of pests of diseases and control is better if it’s done proactively.

Certain times of the year are crucial in beginning your control program, but don’t worry, it’s not too daunting.

 

Let’s find out what needs doing

I'm talking with Steve Falcioni of www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au

 

There are several types of pests

Sap Sucking Pests: control with botanical oils such as eco Oil

mites, 

Fruit flies sting the fruit leaving a telltale black spot on the outside.

aphids,

scale, 

bronze orange bug- need to control at green nymph stage when the bugs measure only a few millimetres. Once they start to colour up, oils will not control them. 

neem oil is registered for control of bronze-orange bugs on ornamental citrus.

Chewing Pests; caterpillars: control with Dipel

Queensland fruitfly: control with pheremone lures, spinosad based pesticides and/or exclusion netting.

Mediterranean fruitfly (found in W.A.) control with spinosad based pesticide and/or exclusion netting.

Timing is the key for pests and diseases because they have a lifecycle which tells us when the pest is most vulnerable or when the diseases is most likely to strike.

This is a good indicator of when control is most effective.

After all, you don’t want to waste your time, energy and money using a product that won’t work as well as it should because it’s the wrong timing.

If you have any questions for me or for Steve, why not write in to [email protected] or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

TALKING FLOWERS

Ranunculus: 

Family:Ranunculaceae also includes anemones, clematis, delphiniums, nigella and hellebores. 

Grow from claw-like tuber or corms but now referred to as thickened rhizomes.

Growing tips:

These plants are very hardy and will grow in a wide range of conditions.

If you missed planting them out in autumn for a spring show, treat yourself with a bunch of ranunculus from your favourite florist.

Mercedes Tips: www.floralgossip.com.au

Cut the stems straight across before placing them in a vase.

Place them in water that has been filtered or standing for 4 hours so that all the chlorine has evaporated off.

Throw in a few ice cubes to perk up your ranunculus flowers

Flowers have a vase life of 8 - 10 days.

 

As they prefer to have their roots kept cool and moist, plant Ranunculus species in a sunny or partly shaded position with moist well-drained soil.

Don’t like clay soils.

I'm talking with Mercedes Sarmini florist, and floral therapist.

TALKING FLOWERS

Ranunculus: 

Family:Ranunculaceae also includes anemones, clematis, delphiniums, nigella and hellebores. 

Grow from claw-like tuber or corms but now referred to as thickened rhizomes.

Growing tips:

These plants are very hardy and will grow in a wide range of conditions.

If you missed planting them out in autumn for a spring show, treat yourself with a bunch of ranunculus from your favourite florist.

Mercedes Tips: www.floralgossip.com.au

Cut the stems straight across before placing them in a vase.

Place them in water that has been filtered or standing for 4 hours so that all the chlorine has evaporated off.

Throw in a few ice cubes to perk up your ranunculus flowers

Flowers have a vase life of 8 - 10 days.

 

As they prefer to have their roots kept cool and moist, plant Ranunculus species in a sunny or partly shaded position with moist well-drained soil.

Don’t like clay soils.

I'm talking with Mercedes Sarmini florist, and floral therapist.