Christmas, plants and decorations

Well its Christmas again and I have been putting up decorations all day, but I never forget to use plants as part of the festivities.




This year I've chosen red and white petunias as a feature in our entrance way, plus a bit of tinsel and bells.  It is so simple and inexpensive, which is important at this time of the year.














I sprayed a plastic pot with silver spray paint which we already had, but use any left over paint.  Popping the petunias in as seedlings a month ago, as this is the cheapest option when buying plants for colour and put a bow on to finish them off





Picked up some cheap decorations at our local shopping centre and the job was done.

I think it looks great and all on a budget with existing plants.









Merry Christmas and happy gardening


Bronwyn

Blue Hibiscus

Why not try Blue Hibiscus in your garden.  They are a very delicate plant unlike traditional hibiscus.

I grew mine from a 6 inch soft wood cutting and although it has taken 2 years for it to reach its present height of about 3 foot it has been worth the wait.


Last night on my usual ramble around the garden I spotted its first beautiful blue flower.  To say I was delighted is some what of an understatement.  All the effort and time was in that lovely flower and there are many more buds forming.











Try one you'll love them.

Happy gardening

Bronwyn

Tomatoes - don't forget stagger your planting

We have had great success with our tomatoes this year, but the first plants had given their all and needed to come out.  I love getting in there and having a good tidy up, picking the lasts of the fruit.

As with all good gardening techniques we already have new plants coming along and they will be fruiting in no time.

So don't forget stagger your planting and you will have fruit right through Summer.


Happy gardening


Bronwyn

Agapanthus the heat lovers

Agapanthus are one of the most popular border plants found in gardens all over Australia and I just love then.

 

In my garden I grow them in remembrance of my Nana who as a child would let me pick every flowering head in her garden when we would visit on Sundays. 

 

These white beauties blend in wonderfully with my mothers White Iceberg climbing rose.

They have long strappy leaves and form into dense lush clumps of evergreen foliage.  Tall stemmed flowers tower over the leaves in a variety of blue shades along with white, offering great colour in a wide range of conditions.

Agapanthus are hardy plants, and are easily grown. Aggies, as they are known will  stand up too drought and poor soil conditions, but both flower and foliage production improves with moisture and feeding. They love a position in full sun, though will be alright in part-shade, but not full shade as the flowering will not be as prolific.  Pop them in any well-drained soil, removing any spent flowers as this will encourage further flowering. If growing in pots, do not use overly large containers as they do better when the roots are somewhat congested.

 

Easily propagated by simply dividing the roots system when they develop into larger clumps, this is best done in winter.  They can also be propagated from the large seed heads.

They are flowering prolifically in Adelaide's extreme heat at the moment in garden beds and as lush street plants.  These conditions are harsh and they only receive water when it rains, which in summer Adelaide is not very often.  Adelaide only has an average rain fall of 20 inches a year so you can see why I think these beauties are a must for any hot dry garden.

Happy gardening


Bronwyn

 

Hollyhocks a flowering giant

Driving home from a delicious lunch with my nieces today I came across some Hollyhocks growing as a street plant.  As I'm in South Australia at the moment where the weather condition during the summer are extremely harsh and get to 40+ Celsius, I couldn't believe that these beautiful flowers were thriving.

Growing up to 8 feet tall the flowers arrange themselves in clusters all the way down the stalks and come in a variety of colours.

Depending on the position they may need staking, but usually stand on there own as these were doing.













Hollyhocks traditionally like well drained soil that is rich in nutrients, and prefer full sun. Tolerating a small amount of shade however, they are intolerant of damp winter soil.

But, here they were showing off in full flower in dry, hard packed soil on the very edge of a verge. 

Just image if you gave Hollyhocks a little bit more attention, they would repay you with beautiful blooms right through summer.  A must to frame any cottage garden.

I'll certainly be planting them next spring and look forward to the wonderful display.





Happy gardening

Bronwyn

Pumpkins - abundant leaves no fruit

I planted pumpkins again this year, after growing Butter Nuts last year with  good results.

The pumpkins took off with a vengeance growing about a foot a day and the leaves were like dinner plates.  I would check expectantly each week waiting for the flowers to appear and eventually the fruit.  Unfortunately all we got were flowers, but no fruit.  Imagine my disappointment, so research was the order of the day.

I knew pumpkins had both male and female flowers, but didn't realise the complexities involved in fertilisation.


Reasons for lack of fruit:

1. The female flowers appear at a different time than the male flowers
2. Lack of bees at pollination time due to weather conditions
3. Lack bee attractive flowers in the area.
4. Overdoing on fertiliser with a high nitrogen formula
5. Yellowing levels and broken stems

What to do:

Growing more bee-attracting flowers nearby is always a plus. Try sunflowers, sage, or a patch of lavender, all will attract bees just when you need them.


 



If you are really keen identify the female flowers by the slight bulge at the very base near the stem, which will develop into a pumpkin if fertilised.  They have to get pollinated during this critical time. A helping hand-pollination of the female flower will be very helpful.  


Using a cotton swab or small paintbrush, wipe the pollen from a male flower onto a female. 

 

 

 

 

Yellow leaves may be removed from the vine without hurting the vine. The vine often sends new shoots from the sides when trimmed or when the stem is accidentally broken.  Flowers will then develop farther along a vine that is producing pumpkins these should be removed so that all the strength is concentrated in the already-formed pumpkins.

 

Well-composted manure should solve the problem of high nitrogen level.

 

 

Then there is the weather, well that we will leave to nature.

 

Never be afraid to admit defeat it is all a learning cure.  Mine have been pulled out and I'll try again next year.

 

Happy gardening

 

 

Bronwyn

 

 

 

Pruning old fruit trees

Mum recently had her 40 year old Nectarine tree cut back to the stump.  My Nana grew this particular tree from a seed and contrary to popular opinion it grew into a great tree with an abundance of fruit.  But, recent storms had decimated it and there were broken branches hanging everywhere.


My mother likes everything neat in her garden so decided to have it cut back severely, as you can see.


















 I like to seal the ends of large trees after pruning, by applying tree pruning paint.   A tip I learnt from my father.

He explained to a very young gardener that in harsh dry weather conditions using a pruning sealer will help the tree retain more moisture which helps recovery.  This is particular relevant for older trees like Mum's Nectarine.

Dad use to use bits of left over paint, but times change and now we have special pruning paint which can be found at your local garden supplier.

Happy gardening


Bronwyn