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however you like it: correa glabra
This small to medium shrub is commonly known as Rock Correa, due to its ability to grow in gravelly soils, making it super tough. I absolutly love Correas but find it quite difficult to grow them in my location. Correa glabra is easily the toughest one I use in coastal NSW gardens. In fact the…
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The purity of Grevillea ‘Ivory Whip’
I am quite selective and fussy when it comes to large flowering spike Grevilleas, some of them I find incredibly garish and I dislike the way they attract the aggressive nectar feeding birds. For some reason this medium sized Grafted Grevillea remains an exception for me. The flowers of Grevillea ‘Ivory Whip’ are not in…
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A flower within a flower within a flower … Hoya australis
This is Hoya australis or Wax flower and I have taken some close up photos which demonstrate perfectly why this umbel has been given its common name. I find this one of the most curious flowers from our native vine species, it is a large highly perfumed umbel of tiny wax like flowers which is…
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The most weeping of the weeping: Myoporum floribundum
I am obsessed with plants with a weeping habit or drooping foliage, some people find them sad and depressing looking but they are my favourite. There are many native plants with soft long leaves or gently falling branches, they can create dense screens, focal points or backdrops. Weeping foliage in a garden gives a relaxed informal…
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Pimelea: which one is which
I love Pimeleas, they seem to always be in flower and each state has its own unique species. Pimelea’s are a stunning addition to a garden or even a pot. They put on a show with a mass of flowers and the butterflies love them . But which one is which? We are trying our…
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The limitless potential of Thomasia solanacea
I have written about this genus before but thought this species needs its own space on the blog as it really is an extremely versatile medium shrub. It is one of those plants for a trickier spot in the garden as it loves a dry shady position. It is endemic to south-west WA, it is…
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try growing the curious Drosera binata
I have been growing Australian carnivorous plants indoors for years, I find them fascinating with their reddish hairy leaves arranged in complex arrays designed to entice insects to land. So when I installed my pond last year I thought I would try emulating their native habitat and plant some around the edges of the water…
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The perfect concealer: Aphanopetalum resinosum
Aphanopetalum resinosum is the answer to many difficult positions in the garden, from dark shady dry corners of the garden to ugly fences or buildings which need to be greened up, Gum Vine may be the solution. This robust native vine has bright green shiny leaves and reddish stems and when it is in flower…
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White or Pink? How do you like your Blueberry Ash? or covered in blue berries
Elaeocarpus reticulatus is one of the Spring flowering native tree species which really knocks itself out during its flowering season. It consistently covers itself in the little white fairy skirt like flowers to the point that it gives the whole tree a light hue. The other time of year this species looks incredible is when…
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Spillover for the pollinators: Leptospermum ‘vertical drop’
Most of us know how wonderful Tea trees are for our pollinators and honey bees, and Leptospermum polygalifolium is up there with some of the most floriferous. This gorgeous low growing and cascading form is Leptospermum polygalifolium ssp. cismontanum ‘Vertical Drop’. This sub species naturally grows on the east coast of Australia in sandy and…
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Small Habitat Tree: Corymbia eximia nana
If you are looking for a small feature gum tree in your garden which will offer both a food source and habitat for native fauna, look no further. Corymbia eximia ‘Nana’ is a striking, dwarf form of the Yellow Bloodwood. The gnarly mottled wood and crooked trunk of the dwarf version of Corymbia exima or…
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vulnerable Epacris purpurascens
For me this species signifies everything incredible about our local sandstone sclerophyll forest. The extraordinary stems of Epacris purpurascens cover themselves in tiny pinky white flowers and reach for the sun. There is something about them which is delicate but also symbolises endurance, they are a pretty wildflower in our bushland environment which can be…
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Tough as nails: Actinotus helianthi
I’ve learnt my lesson, plant them and leave them alone! I planted 5 potted Actinotus helianthi last year in my garden, 1 remains, the others were over loved and over watered I think, or there may have been some trampling going on courtesy of kids playing on the swing. Actinotus helianthi are wildflowers, it can…
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Dwarf Eucalyptus for small gardens: Eucalyptus citriodora DWARF
The lemon scented gum is one of my favourite fragrances, that pungent citronella smell released after the rain or at dusk on a summer evening makes me feel all sentimental about our incredible flora.Unfortunately Eucalyptus or Corymbia citriodora doesn’t mix so well with the urban landscape, firstly they get tall, very tall and secondly as…
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Pimelea nivea: A shrub of contrasts
Pimeleas are wonderful species, they grow quickly and flower often, for long periods of time. However this particular Pimelea is my favourite of all time, forever. This is Pimelea nivea and hails from my home state of Tasmania, I have seen it growing on rocky headlands and gravely Eucalyptus under storey and it is a very…
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Shade-loving Ornamental Grass: Libertia paniculata
I use this handy little native grass alot in my designs. It looks wonderful mass planted in a shady position and when it begins to flower in Winter it brings a welcome highlight to a dark corner. The flowers last several months and can carry on into Spring. It does prefer part shade and can…
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Two top Thomasias: Thomasia macrocarpa and Thomasia solanacea
Thomasia is a native shrub species which can be found largely in the south of Western Australia, like many of the species located in that area of Australia it is quite adaptable. For some reason all of this genus is endowed with showy, textured foliage like few other native species, making them a wonderful edition…
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Leptospermum ‘Cardwell’: the most floriferous of them all
Leptospermum ‘Cardwell’ becomes fully veiled in white flowers from late winter through to spring and early summer, it appears to be covered in white fluffy snow and is quite the show stopper. The weeping habit is a favourite of mine and it will happily grow in tropical, subtropical, and in cooler temperate climates. An elegant…
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The glossy leafed Eupomatia laurina
This ancient flowering plant has a fossil record of 120 million years, it’s primitive flowers are a legacy from Gondwana. Isn’t that mind blowing!? The perfumed, glossy screen tree with edible fruits is the perfect addition to a bush food garden. My Mum has a Eupomatia laurina in her garden that is flowering at the…
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The elegant branches of Leptospermum brachyandrum ‘Silver’
I have written about this favourite tea tree of mine before, however I think it deserves another post which is more dedicated to its elegant branches and decorative bark. I took these photos of Leptopsermum brachyandrum ‘Silver’ at Kuranga native nursery last year, where they have used the species extensively around their pond and throughout…
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Try hedging with something a bit different: Lomatia myricoides
I have already written about this large native shrub Lomatia myricoides or River or Long-leaf Lomatia, please see the link below. This post is not so much about this Lomatia as a specimen plant but about its potential as a fabulous tall screening shrub. I have found Lomatia myricoides to be extremely versatile in the…
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The constantly evolving beauty of Ozothamnus diosmifolius
This small to medium native shrub is a hard one to capture both in an image and in words, I have been documenting these three specimens in my garden since they were planted a couple of years ago. It never seemed the right time to photograph them as the flowers are always changing colour and…
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A true carpeting ground cover: Pratia pedunculata
This is a native ground cover which sometimes gets classed as a steppable (not a real word ;)), meaning it works well between steppers and pavers and can be walked on occasionally without too much fuss. I like to use it mixed with other low growing ground covers like Dichondra and native violet to get…
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World Bee Day: Plant Three for the Bees!
Today is World Bee Day and the slogan of ‘Plant Three for the Bees’ is like a call to action! Anyone with an outdoor space can plant three bee friendly plants, even if they are in pots or containers. Calling all gardeners, please think of our important pollinators when selecting plants for your outdoor space.…
Tag: white flower