Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

Useful and Beautiful part 2

Groundcovers for shade.

Part 2 of a new series in Design Elements starts and it’s all about plants.

Gloxinia sylvatica

In fact it’s so much about plants that it’s been named ‘useful and beautiful.”

Last week we covered groundcovers for sun.

But now it's time for the shadier areas of your garden.

So sit back, with pen and paper and enjoy.

I'm talking with Peter Nixon Director of www.peternixon.com.au

You may have inherited that large tree that gives plenty of shade but with root ridden soil.

So what will grow in only 200mm of top soil?

Farfugium japonicum Aureum-maculata : Leopard Plant

Peter mentioned Gloxinia Goldfish, Begonia domingensis, Farfugium japonicum aureum maculatum or Leopard plant, Nidularium innocentii , Streptocarpus, and Ruellia macoyana.

If you have any questions about groundcovers, either for me or for Peter or have some information to share, why not drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

Dahlia

Dahlias are perennials  related to sunflowers and Asters in the Asteraceae family.

Dahlias can be grown from seed, eg Pom Pom Dahlias, but mostly the large flowered varieties are grown from tubers that are sown in Autumn for Summer flowering.

Like all members of the Asteraceae family, the flower head is actually a composite with both central disc florets and surrounding ray florets. Each floret is a flower in its own right, but is often incorrectly described as a petal.

Where they came from:

The wild Dahlias originally grew in Mexico and other South American countries, primarily in mountainous valleys that were protected from harsh conditions in the spring and summer.

Dahlia

Dahlias are perennials  related to sunflowers and Asters in the Asteraceae family.

Dahlias can be grown from seed, eg Pom Pom Dahlias, but mostly the large flowered varieties are grown from tubers that are sown in Autumn for Summer flowering.

Like all members of the Asteraceae family, the flower head is actually a composite with both central disc florets and surrounding ray florets. Each floret is a flower in its own right, but is often incorrectly described as a petal.

Where they came from:

The wild Dahlias originally grew in Mexico and other South American countries, primarily in mountainous valleys that were protected from harsh conditions in the spring and summer.

One species Dahlia pinnata is the national flower of Mexico.

Some floral meanings

• ·         Staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations

I’m talking with Mercedes Sarmini https://www.flowersbymercedes.com.au

One species Dahlia pinnata is the national flower of Mexico.

Some floral meanings

• ·         Staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations

I’m talking with Mercedes Sarmini https://www.flowersbymercedes.com.au

reconnect with lost loves in Talking Flowers.

Kalanchoe fedchenoi or Lavender Scallops

Useful and Beautiful: Groundcovers for full sun.

A new series in Design Elements starts and it’s all about plants.

Useful and Beautiful: Plants that don't fail for every situation, but plants that are not as common to make your garden outstanding.

This series will go through the different levels of planting in your garden starting in with ground covers for sun and shade, bulbs, sub-shrubs, hedges, bigger shrubs, small trees and climbers.

There’s quite a lot there but we will only cover one of those categories at a time.

I'm talking with Peter Nixon Director of www.peternixon.com.au

Ruellia elegans

Peter mentioned mini mondo grass, Foxtail fern, Ruellia elegans or Kalanchoe fedchenkoi or Lavender Scallops as good ground covers for sun.

Next week the series continues with groundcovers for shade.

There’s always somewhere in the garden where you need that.

If you have any questions about groundcovers, either for me or for Peter or have some information to share, why not drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

China Aster or Michaelmas Daisy.

Belongs in the Asteraceae family. Aster means Star in Latin.

China Aster is the September birth flower and the 20th wedding anniversary flower.

Common flower meanings are:

• ·         Patience

 A Greek Legend

The ancient Greeks have got it all when it comes to romance and mysticism with their stories about various Gods.

It all started with the ancient Greeks burning aster leaves to ward off both snakes and evil spirits.

According to Greek mythology, when the god Jupiter decided to flood the earth to destroy the warring men, the goddess Astraea was so upset she asked to be turned into a star.

Her wish was granted, but when the flood waters receded she wept for the loss of lives.

As her tears turned to stardust and fell to earth, the beautiful aster flower sprung forth.

I'm talking with Mercedes Sarmini of https://www.flowersbymercedes.com.au

TALKING FLOWERS

Christmas Bush: Ceratopetalum gummiferum

Ceratopetalum....from Greek ceras, a horn and petalon, a petal, referring to the petal shape of one species.

gummiferum....producing a gum.

In the home garden, I would regard this plant as a large shrub in people’s gardens rather than a small tree because it rarely grows to more the 4-5 metres.

That’s equivalent to Coastal Tee-tree.

The leaves are up to 3-7cm long and are divided into three leaflets or trifoliate, which are finely serrated and the new growth is often pink or bronze coloured. 

Leaves are opposite each other.

I grew these plants as part of a trial when I was studying for my Hort Diploma at Tafe some years ago.

Testing a variety of fertilisers for growth factors. 

Definitely one plant that doesn’t tolerate Phosphorus in the fertilizer. 

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Agapanthus

The old varieties of this tough as old boots flowers, are often seen in neglected gardens but did you know its Greek name means love flower?

Love flower sounds much more romantic than the German Schmucklilie which translated means jewel lily.

This plant with its lily like flower grows almost everywhere except where it’s extremely hot or extremely cold.

Let’ s find out what it is. 'm talking with the plant panel: Jeremy Critchley of www.thegreengallery.com.au and Karen Smith, editor of www.hortjournal.com.au

photo courtesy www.pma.com.au plants

In some areas they are used as a fire retardant plant because of their fleshy green leaves and also for holding banks and stopping erosion with their large and tangled root system.

In the norther hemisphere, Agapanthus, other than in their native South Africa need to be moved into unheated greenhouses in winter.

So don’t underestimate the humble Aggie, plus breeders are always looking for new colourways, so that you won’t be disappointed if you seek them out.

Some newer varieties to watch out for are...management Australia

Agapanthus Black Pantha

Agapanthus Cascade Diamond

Agapanthus Snowball

Agapanthus Golden Drop with variegated foliage.

PLANT DOCTOR

Watering The Garden and Hydrophobic Soils

Water is a scarce enough commodity in Australia, so gardeners would like to think that they are watering efficiently.

We all know the best times to water but what you may not know is that if you scratch the surface of your soil, you may find that the water hasn’t even penetrated.

There are many causes of soil that is water repellent or hydrophobic.

Why’s that you may ask?

Let’s find out. 'm talking with General Manager of www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au

Water repellence can be due to the waxy substances that come from plant material being not properly decomposed. These in turn coat the soil particles. The smaller the soil particle, as in sandy soils,the great chance of the waxy substances clinging to them.

Through no fault of your own, the soil in your garden may be prone to being water repellent.

This means you may need to have routine distribution of a wetting agent, either wetting granules or the spray on kind.

The liquid form of wetting agent also comes in a hose on so it does seem an easy way to do a large area.

Wetting granules though are no more difficult to apply than spreading organic fertiliser around your garden.

When choosing a soil wetter one thing to note is that some are based on petroleum derivatives and alcohol, making them unsuited to organic gardens. 

Others contain only naturally occurring substances that readily biodegrade and cause no ill effects to the soil or plants. 

To help choose a suitable wetting agent check the ingredients. 

For organic gardeners, eco-Hydr

Delphinium

In the Buttercup or Ranunculaceae, Delphiniums are also called Larkspur.

The delphinium name is derived from the Greek word for dolphin.

If you pick a single bloom from the tall spike on the plant, you’ll notice it looks like a leaping dolphin from the side.

The Delphinium flower’s message is protect yourself from the dangers of life so nothing stands in the way of your success.

If you want to grow your own Delphiniums, here are some tips.

Propagation Seeds – like to be chilled in-ground before germinating.

Root division (cutting root ball)

Mercedes has some zany tips for keeping the Delphinium stalks hydrated from when you buy them to when you pop them into the vase.

Tip 1: Fill the hollow stalks with water, then plug them up with cotton wool.

I'm talking with Mercedes Sarmini of www.flowersbymercedes.com.au

Gerbera Garvinea

When I worked for a large seed and gardening supply company, I was often asked why Gerbera seed was so expensive, or Rudbeckia seed?

The reason was that some seed has to be hand collected and hand packed because it’s too large and irregular for seed packing machines.

Another reason is that seed is hard to come by of a particular species, or perhaps that year, it was contaminated by weevils, or the seed grower’s crop experienced fungal problems and failed.

Whatever the reason, the plant that’s featured today isn’t sold by seed anyway, because it’s a relatively new release and a fantastic variety of flower (Gerbera.)

I'm talking with the plant panel, Jeremy Critchley of www.thegreengallery.com.au and Karen Smith, editor of www.hortjournal.com.au

Florist Holland, a Gerbera breeding company started the breeding program over ten years ago.

Their aim was to improve the plant and it seems that they’ve done a marvellous job because Garvineas are winning awards around the world.

This new variety of Gerbera is nothing like the old school Gerbera, with it's multiple stems and long flowering period.

It’s always fun to try something new and buy a plant that you don’t know much about.

Can’t wait to get my hands on some Garvinea Gerberas as I’m sure some of you are too.

If you have any questions about Garvinea, or Jeremy or Karen why not write in to [email protected]

Herb: Basil

At one stage the Greeks and Romans believed the most potent basil could only be grown if you sowed the seed while ranting and swearing. 

This custom is mirrored in the French language where semer le baslic (sowing basil) means to rant.

Try crushing a Basil leaf and think of cloves.

It should surprise you that they have similar aromatic notes because they both contain the volatile oil, Eugenol.

This means that they complement each other.

Ian suggests sprinkling a pinch of cloves into your pasta dish along with the herb Basil for a different take.

Basil can be used fresh or dried in cooking.

Dried Basil is sold as "rubbed leaves,' and has a slightly different flavour profile to fresh Basil.

The top notes are missing but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use it in coooking.

Dried Basil is used at the beginning of cooking so that the flavour can infuse, generally only taking around 10 minutes.

Growing Basil

If you live in arid or sub-tropical regions you can sow Basil in late august in a mini greenhouse or indoors, but otherwise you can sow right through to December which is the best time to sow Basil seeds. 

The seeds are best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C

If your Basil starts to flower, pick the flowers off to prolong the life of your Basil plant.

For something different when not try sowing cinnamon Basil or Lemon Basil or even Holy Basil, that is the true sacred basil that is grown in houses, home gardens and near temples all over India.…

If you have any questions about Basil either for me or Ian, why not email us [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675