Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Climbers for a Tropical Zone

In a Tropical Zone

there are many climbers that will grow well in the warmer climates.  One thing I did notice when I was thinking

about the plants suitable for warmer climates is that the climbers suitable for

this area do have brightly coloured flowers.

There’s so much to be said about

climbing plants, even if you have a small garden, climbers can be used to hide

walls, or fence off boundaries, without spreading into the limited space of the garden.Mandevilla sanderi

They are also a cheap and easy way

to cover up something unsightly, such as a shed or water tank, or to soften a

harsh wall, fence or tree trunk.This segment is all about tropical

climbers which by the way don’t always have to grow in tropical climates

because you know, gardeners want to test the boundaries.Let’s find out. I'm talking with Glenice Buck, Consulting Arborist and Landscape Designer.

The Pandorea

species are exceptional because they can tolerate quite a range of

conditions and temperatures even though they’re from tropical zones.

On the other hand, Mandevillas not so much, but then again, indoor is not a bad idea for these if you like them. 

Glenice's top 5 tropical climbers arePyrostegia venusta

Beaumontia

grandifloraBougainvillea

Climbing Frangipani

(Chonemorpha fragrans)

Yellow Allamanda or Golden Trumpet Vine How about "Bauhinia Corymbosa" Or Butterfly Vine

Butterfly

vine is an evergreen vine in sub-tropical conditions that can be

semi-deciduous in cooler climates with older leaves dropping in cold

winters, a beautiful vine with attractive and unusual foliage and small

orchid-like flowers with unique 2 lobed leaves hints at its placement in

the pea family. All through the warmer months there are plenty of pale

pink flowers with dark veining and ideal for covering a pergola, fence

or over a tree and is spectacular as a groundcover especially when in

flower

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.com

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The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

PLANT DOCTOR

If you’ve ever been travelling

through Europe, or even England, Camellias aren’t one of those plants that

you’re likely to come across all that much.

According the English Broadcaster

and gardener Monty Don, over there, the main problem with the Camellia japonica

and Camellia reticulata varieties is that, when their flowers start to fade, they

cling to the shrub, looking for weeks like used tissue. The only way to deal

with this is to dead-head each bloom by hand – otherwise it is like having a

wonderful party then failing to tidy up afterwards. Add caption

The combination of this extra work

and the belief that most camellias were tender and therefore needed special

protection meant that interest in camellias went into decline at the beginning

of the 20th century.

But for us here in Australia, Camellias

are one of the most popular winter- and spring-flowering shrubs, providing a

vivid splash of colour when little else is in bloom.

So today we’re talking how to look

after them when disease strikes these wonderful shrubs.

So let’s find out how to fix this.I'm talking with Steve Falcioni, General

Manager of www.ecoorganicgarden.com.auIn this country the greatest

problems are from wet winters and spring frosts, so to get away from this you

need to add grit and compost to the planting hole so that the roots do not sit

in wet soil.

Freezing conditions dehydrate the

leaves, which lose more water as they thaw, especially if exposed to wind. Camellia japonica Lovelight

The frozen roots mean that no

water is taken up to replace this, and the result is often that the top or

exposed part of the shrub dies back.

The extent of the damage will not

become fully apparent until spring, when new growth appears and, if the roots

are damaged, will drop and die back.

Draping fleece over the plant is a

short-term remedy, but the most importantfactor is to provide permanent

shelter from the wind.

If you have a camellia in a pot,

wrap the pot in bubble wrap or bring it indoors in cold weather.If you have any questions about problems

with your Camellias or any other shrub, drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644

Gladesville NSW 1675

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Coleus species: Solenostemon scutellarioides

These plants (Coleus species) have a huge variation in the leaf patterns that you can buy.Solonostemon scutellariodes: Coleus plants photo M Cannon

 

Once thought of as old fashioned plants along with the Aspidistra and your grandmother’s doillies, they seem to be coming back into vogue with newer colour variations that range from lime green to bright red.

What could this plant be? Let’s find out. I'm talking with the plant panel : Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au  and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

Coleus have square stems with saw-toothed, scalloped or ruffled leaf edges.

Coleus species are frost tender and need winter protection outside the subtropics.

In cool temperate climates grow these plants in the conservatory, as house plants, or outdoors as annual bedding plants. Solonostemon scutellariodes: Coleus plants photo M Cannon

Easily grown from cuttings, which can be taken at any time of the year, but best in late summer for winter indoor growth, and late winter/early spring from indoor plants for outdoor summer growth. Use young, non-woody stem cuttings, which can be rooted either in potting mix or in water.

Leaf patterns are so bizarre they may have inspired Paisley prints on fabrics.

But you may just want to brighten that dull corner of your garden and this is the plant to do it with.

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community RadioNetwork. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOKThe complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Evergreen or Deciduous Climbers?

Last week it was all about how plants climb, whether it’s from grasping a support with thin shoots that curl around like in Passionfruit plants, or with hooks as in Bouganvilleas and roses.Wisteria is a deciduous climberBut now you need to decide if you want a deciduous climber or an evergreen climber.

Which works best for you?

Let’s find out. I'm talking with Glenice Buck, Consulting Arborist and Landscape Designer

 Stephanotis floribunda is an evergreen climberClimbers and scramblers are superb additions to the garden. 

 

Yes you need to think about do you need leaf coverage throughout the whole year?

 

Evergreen climbers will give you year round shade coverage if you were to grow them over a pergola. 

This is ideal for a north facing location where you need shade all year. 

Evergreen climbers growing along a fence or on a wire across a window will act as an attractive privacy screen. 

 

Deciduous climbers grown over a pergola or awning will allow you to have summer shade and winter sun. 

When the sun is shining they will create a microclimate in your garden to retreat to but when the days are cooler and the sun is lower in the sky the deciduous climber will allow the area to take full advantage of the sun that is available at that time of year.

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

WILDLIFE IN FOCUS

Red Whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)

Not all birds featured in this segment are native, so it’s good to know which ones aren’t.Red Whiskered Bulbul

We all know the Noisy Miner bird is a native and the introduced Indian Mynah is not, because they’re so aggressive.

What about a little bird, that’s not that aggressive, doesn’t move to far from its territory and doesn’t make a squawking or screeching sound when it sings?

It has bright red patches at the side of its face, almost like a small dot.

They eat fleshy fruits which is their main food with occasional insects as well.

So let’s not linger any longer and find out all about it.

I'm talking with Dr Holly Parsons, manager of Birds in Backyards www.birdsinbackyards.org.au

Now you know that the Red Whiskered Bulbul is an introduced species.

These birds were deliberately introduced into NSW in the 1880's and later introduced to Coffs Harbour in NSW in 1918.

Then there was yet another release around Melbourne.

They have been known to occasionally pop up around cities like Perth and Canberra also and are probably cage bird escapes.

The Red-whiskered Bulbuls are non-migratory bulbuls found in tropical Asia - from Pakistan and India through to southeastern Asia and China. They typically roost in loose groups.

In parts of India, these birds were popular cage birds, because of their trusting nature so that they were easily captured.

If you have any questions about red whiskered bulbuls or have some information or a photo  to share, drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition. PLANT OF THE WEEK

Hibiscus acetosella "Little Zin."

Seems like plants with burgundy or purple

foliage are the in thing with new releases of Crepe Myrtle ”Diamonds in the

Dark” and Loropetalum Plum Gorgeous.Plants with coloured leaves other

than green are a must in any garden to break up all that greenness and act as a

standout plant or a focal point in your garden.Hibiscus acetosella "Little Zin." photo M Cannon

 

 

Not only that, according to Monty

Don, purple leaves, as well as being attractive in their own right, make red

and yellow flowers seem more intense, and add more depth to a border than green

leaves ever can. 

What is new purple

leaved plant? Let’s find out.. 

I'm talking with the plant panel :Karen Smith, editor of

Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au 

and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

Hibiscus Little Zin has dark burgundy or maroon foliage,

that look similar to maple leaves but about 10 cm in length. Growing to 45 – 60

cm  x 45 – 60 cm. with an upright habit.

Little Zin has a typical hibiscus

flower with flower buds starting off as deep maroon then opening to a pale to

mid pink with a maroon centre.

Flowers appear in late Autumn to

early Winter around midday, that’s late in the season when days are getting

shorter. 

  Hibiscus Little Zin prefers slight acidic soils to around pH 6.0 - 6.5 and soil that's kept moist but not boggy.

 

Originally growing in forest areas, marshes and open areas in Africa.

This

plant branches reasonably well because it's a compact form, however you

can tip prune to make it even more bush, but the leaves will be

slightly smaller if you do this.

Hibiscus acetosella "Little Zin." photo M Cannon

By the way, don’t try to get Crepe

Myrtle Diamonds in the Dark because the demand was so high the grower is no

longer able to supply demand until January of next year.

But you should be able to buy

Hibiscus Little Zin from your garden centre or contact Jeremy's nursery for distributors.

If you have any questions about growing

Hibiscus Little Zin why not write in to [email protected]

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.com

REALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition

SPICE IT UP

Rosmarinus officinalisRosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

The culinary Rosemary plant is

often used for remembrance but did you know that the tradition of laying sprigs

of this herb(rosemary) across the coffin or upon a tombstone dates back to

ancient Egypt?

Rosemary is a lovely evergreen

perennial herb with culinary, aromatic, and medicinal uses, and one of the

favorites in herb gardening around the world.

So let’s not linger any longer and

find out all about it. I'm talking with Ian Hemphill owner of Herbies Spices. www.herbies.com.au

You might be surprised to learn

that Rosemary is in the mint family, but unlike mint, likes much drier

conditions.

Rosemary balances very will with carbohydrates and is good with pork and duck dishes.

Rosemary bush

Ian gave us a great tip about how

to strip the leaves off the rosemary stem without getting that heel of bark by

tearing in an upward motion.

when using dried rosemary either chop it very finely or grind the leaves to a powder.

Normally

grinding herbs is not recommended, but unless you're doing a long slow

cook, the hard leaves are best treated this way. 

After all, Rosemary has a very strong flavour and can withstand being used this way.

 

Ian's mother's scone recipe.2 cups of self raising flour1 1/2 tablespoons of butter (cold)3/4 cup of milk1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh Rosemary. Rub the butter into the flower then gradually add the milk to get a stiff dough. Don't overmix. Rest for 10 minutes.Pat

down or roll out the mixture  so it's 2 cm high then using a scone

cutter,(one with a deep edge. a small baked bean tin is a good

alternative.)Place them onto a tray close together.Brush with milk and place in the oven at one level above the centre.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius.

Growing and propagating Rosemary

plants is pretty easy and every garden should have at least one plant, even if

it’s in a pot.

The leaves and flowers can also be

used to make a tea, said to be good for headaches, colic, colds as well as

depression.

If you have any questions about growing

and using rosemary in your cooking or have some information to share, drop us a

line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644

Gladesville NSW 1675

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

PERSIMMONS

They’re orange and can be put into your kid’s lunchbox unpeeled, and can be eaten sliced or whole like a pear.

You can dice and freeze them, adding them to a smoothie as a thickener.

They can also be dried, changing them from a crisp consistency to a soft, date-like, chewy texture. Eaten this way, they are deliciously sweet and taste more like candy than dried fruit.

What is this tree? Let’s find out..I'm talking with horticulturalist Sabina Fielding-SmithPersimmon TreesDid you know that unripe Japanese persimmons are full of tannin, which is used to brew sake and preserve wood in Japan?

The small, non-edible fruit from wild persimmon trees in Japan are crushed and mixed with water. This solution is painted on paper to repel insects.

This solution is also thought to give cloth moisture-repellent properties.

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

 DESIGN ELEMENTS

Climbing Plants An Introduction-Why Use Climbers?Pandorea jasminoides photo M CannonPandorea pandoranaWith so many gardens decreasing in size don’t forget to make the most out of your vertical planes.  The walls of the house, ugly boundary fences, posts on your pergolas, decking balustrades or even the letterbox can act as a support for climbers or surfaces for the climbers to grab on to. 

Allowing some greenery to cover these surfaces will give your garden another dimension.

 

 

Do you realise that you can stuff heaps of these types of plants into the smallest of gardens and have something in flower for most of the year.

We’re talking climbing plants in this new series.

So how do plants climb?

Let’s find out. I'm talking with Glenice Buck, Consulting Arborist and Landscape Designer.

Ever thought about why plants climb and where they came from?

Climbing plants originate in rainforests and started life on the forest floor.

As rainforests developed a thicker canopy there was less and less light that reached the forest floor so that plants gradually evolved ways to climb up towards the sunlight. Here’s an amazing fact, 90% of the world’s vines (climbing plants) grow in tropical rainforestsPandorea jasminoides needs a strong supporting structure. photo M CannonWhat You Need To Consider When Using Climbing Plants

What type of climber will be able to climb on the structure you want to use? Do I need a twiner, a scrambler, one with aerial roots or one with far reaching tendrils?  The answers to these questions will be determined by the materials the structure is made out of

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

PLANT DOCTOR

Camellias have a reputation for being hardy and thriving in neglected gardens.

For the most part this reputation is unsullied, but sometimes climatic factors or an insect event can lead to a pest or disease problem with your camellia plants.

What then?

Let’s find out what can go wrong in this 2 part series on pests and diseases of Camellias.

 

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

Scale insects that most commonly attack Camellia plants are brown scale, cotton cushiony scale and white wax scale.

Control is with eco Oil or Neem and depends on the temperature and the species.Camellia japonica photo M. CannonIn warmer climates the home gardener could have several generations of scale pests so control could be at any time.

However, for those in warm temperate and colder climates, control of scale is best done in the warmer months, from Spring onwards.

Other common pests are Camellia T-mite which is best known for the symptoms that look like a grey dusting or bronzing of the leaf. In other words loss of greenness.

Control is with the organic oil, eco Oil or Neem oil.Mite damage on CamelliasBefore your reach for a toxic chemical to fix the problem, be sure that you know what the problem really is.

Most non-organic insecticides cause a blanket kill effect (non selective) on all the insects, spiders and mites wiping out both good and target bugs.

After which there’s a bit of a hiatus when there’s no bugs and then the bad bugs come back first.

Using organic sprays is the best way to control large infestations and live with minor ones, because it’ll save you money in the long run.

If you have any questions about growing fruit trees or have some information to share, drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675