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Garden Weekends - by Amanda Crotty

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Sandpaper Fig

December 27th 2009 23:31
: Bush Tucker
Sandpaper Fig fruit

Ficus coronata
This bushy species grows to about 8 m and is endemic from East Gippsland, Victoria to Mackay, Queensland in dry littoral and subtropical rainforests.
It has edible fruit that grow along the branches, apparently with a sweet taste, not mine though when I tested the fruit I would describe it more dry and tasteless.

The fruit is an important part of many birds diet just one reason for growing it, this tree would also be useful in stopping erosion along creek banks as it is fast growing and has a binding root system.
The rough leaves were used by native Australians for smoothing their tools, just as sandpaper is today, hence the name.
Propergation is from seed, ripening Janurary - July; and also from cuttings.
Other species of this tree are:
F. fraseri similar to F. coronata, occurs north from Wyong, NSW. It is found throughout the rainforest, and not mainly along streams as is F. coronata.
F. platypoda (Rock Fig) this species is usually found colonising in rock crevices. It has masses of arial roots and would be excellent to provide shade in rocky shallow soils.

young sandpaper fig
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Blue Berry Ash

November 2nd 2009 00:30
: Australin native
Blueberry Ash
Pink flowering form


My Blueberry ash, Elaeocarpus reticulatus is looking pretty at this time of the year with its pink, fringed bell like flowers. The blue egg shaped 9 - 10mm long fruit will follow and ripen in about three months.

This large shrub or small tree is found mainly in rainforest areas and in moist coastal gullies from Tasmania to southern Queensland. The young foliage starts bronze changing to dark green as the plant matures. These trees start slowly, but will make an attractive specimen tree in protected areas free from frost.

Pink Eleocarpus flowers
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Banksia

October 7th 2009 23:29
: Australian native
Banksia ericifolia

The Banksia is a distinctive group of plants identified and named by Sir Joseph Banks in 1770. Botany Bay in Sydney got its name from a diary entry of Banks describing how his collection of plant samples had grown so large he was concerned they would spoil in the books. He took all his drying papers ashore, spread them out on a sail in the sun to dry them properly hence the name botany.
There are about 60 species of Banksia all growing in Australia, with one known exception, Banksia dentata which grows in New Guiniea. The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen providing food for honey eating birds and tiny marsupials, also attracting bees and insects. Black cockatoos are able to break open the seed pods with their strong beaks to feast on the seeds.
Indigenious Australians also feasted on the sweet flowers, some soaking the flowers in water to make a sweet drink called beal, others struck the flowers against their hands then licked off the nectar. If there were enough flowers the woman would collect the nectar in a coolamon by hitting the sides.
When the flowers die a dry fuzz remains on the central spike. Those successfully pollenated develop into velvet covered woody growths that look like swollen eyelids. In some species only a few develop giving the cob a slight human appearance, these were made famous in May Gibbs book snugglepot and cuddlepie. Each compartment holds two papery seeds that are released when heated, I put mine on a tray in the oven this works fine.
In their natural habitats Banksias are very hardy growing in poor coastal soil, in desert conditions, in infertile sandstone soils, and they even grow up in the alps. Most prefer well drained sandy soil with the odd one adapting to swamp conditions. All eastern varieties except Banksia denata are frost hardy evergreen trees ranging in height of 18 metres or more to prostrate forms that grow along the ground, with diverse leaf shapes.
Banksias are among the most most popular cultivated native Australian plants growing easily with a minimum of attention. Unfortunately though many of the western varieties wont grow in the eastern states because they suffer root rot.

Banksia
Banksia ericofolia and Banksia serrata growing in native conditions.


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Xanthorrhoea

October 2nd 2009 02:27
: Australian Native
Grasstree



These primitive plants consisting of about 20 species are said to have been on the Australian continent for over 100 million years, pre dating the eucalypts.
Grass trees are very slow growing and may live to a great age. Normal growth rate is about 2 or 3 centimetres a year or about 1 metre in 30 years. They generally reach a height of 2 or 3 metres with some varieties growing to more than 5 metres. Some of these taller plants may be 500 or more years old, putting them amongst some of the oldest living plants.
Xanthorrhoea are the most unlikely looking members of the lily family. Found only in Australia with species in all states, it is thought to only flower once or twice every fifty years. Many insects and honey eating birds feast on the nectar produced when in flower. After flowering fruit capsules producing a few hard seeds are formed, these seeds are poisonous to humans and domestic animals but harmless to native animals.
The usefulness of the grasstree was appreciated by the indigenous Australians who gathered the longicorn grub, often found burrowed in the trunk for food. They also made use of the long spikes in framework construction of their shelters with the leaves used as a kind of thatching, and a type of resin extracted from the charred wood was used to fix heads to their spears and axes.
Grass trees are well adapted to poor infertile soil and harsh conditions often found in arid, desert wastes, with the ability to survive bush fires. Another Australian beauty.
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Callistemon

September 27th 2009 21:32
: Australian Native
Bottlebrush



Its not hard to see how these Australian evergreen shrubs and small trees got the common name of Bottlebrush, this perfectly describes the flowers produced from late spring through summer, with some types even flowering again in Autumn.
Callistemon are widely cultivated with flowers in colours of green, yellow, white, various shades of red and violet. Size varies from five feet shrubs to small trees with tough leaves and often with papery bark. Callistemon are worth a place in any garden as they grow under a wide range of conditions and put on quiet a show when in flower.


I collect the seeds and have a pretty good rate of germination. Most people recommend you prune them after flowering but I let mine go, that is a matter of choice.


The leaves of Callistemon can be used to make a lemony flavoured bush tea. Keep in mind though most bush teas are weaker than Chinese tea, so more leaves are required.

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coriander, cilantro

September 22nd 2009 23:52
: Herb
Coriandrum sativum



Coriander is an annual native to southern Europe and western Asia. Grows to 50cm, with finely cut upper leaves, small white or pink flowers and rounded seeds in beige seed coats.
This herb is now grown throughout the world for its spicey aromatic seeds, used in curry powder and other spice mixtures, ground seed used in cakes, cookies and making chutney, one or two crushed seeds adds flovour to hot coffee and whole seeds added to vegetables gives extra flavour.
Prefers to grow in light rich soil with full sun, seeds are best sown in early spring direct to where it is to flower then thinned as required. Corriander needs a long growing season for seeds to ripen properly.
In late summer when seeds have turned a light greyish brown, cut down the plant and leave in a dry airy place for 2 to 3 days then shake out seeds and store in air tight jars.
This plant has been used for well over 2000 years and is said to freshen breath, aid digestion and was used as a treatment for measles in 6th century china. It is said the plant has an unpleasant smell till the seeds ripen so its best not grown in confined places. I haven't noticed this with my plants though.

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Borage

August 10th 2009 09:23
: Herbs In My Garden
I have always grown a few herbs in my garden, but after working alongside an older person who looked much younger then their years, putting their good health down to eating FRESH herbs. I started to think maybe I was not including enough fresh herbs in my own diet so began my real interest in growing herbs.


BORAGE Borago officinalis, is a tall hairy leaved annual with vivid blue star shaped flowers. Growing in almost any well drained soil, borage loves sun and reseeds easily ensuring a constant supply. It is said to be one of the most important bee plants and is sometimes called bee bread and has a beneficial effect on strawberries when planted close by.
This herb originating from the south of Europe is related to comfrey, I think the leaves have a similar appearance. The flowers and leaves had many uses in drinks and salads though I have read that it is no longer recomended to be taken internally as it contains toxins. The flowers do dry well and would add a nice touch in pot pourris.
The early Greeks had a motto I borage bring always courage and mediaeval ladies sometimes embroidered the flower on pennants of knights.
I love the colour this pretty flowering plant brings to my garden at this time of the year.
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My garden

July 30th 2009 10:04
: 30 July 2009



EARLY BLOOMERS

As I wander around the garden at this time of the year to my delight I am starting to see some colour happening in the flower garden. The air temperature is still cold overnight with frosts but living amongst the trees has its advantages frost protection being one. For those not so lucky I find it is best to resist the urge to tidy plants up till the threat of frost has passed.


Primula pictured here is the delightful flower known as the primula so named by the Romans meaning first flower of the spring, It was thought unlucky by the English to pick any less than thirteen flowers at a time but if you picked and took more into the house on the first day of spring it would bring prosperity for the coming year.
Primula prefers a shaded moist position but will also grow in a sunny position.
I was lucky to find mine at a church fete, not much to look at then just green leaves but now it is such a delight to see it happily flowering away in its pot.
I am planning on planting it to the front of the garden and collecting seeds to grow more.


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Clerodendrum ugandense

April 21st 2009 23:03
: Blue Butterfly Bush
Blue Butterfly Bush


Its not hard to work out how this pretty semi deciduous shrub was given the common name of the blue butterfly bush. This blue flowering bush can be grown in almost any position from temperate to tropical climates, though it does prefer a half to full sunny position and well drained soil. When fully grown it reaches a height of 3 metres and is 2-3 metres round. This shrub tends to straggle so is best cut back in winter and tip pruned when about 30cm long. The flowers appear in summer and autumn and seem to last for months in my garden.
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Pentas

February 13th 2009 22:59
: Shrubby perenial
PENTAS



Pentas are a great plant for warmer climates that grow to an average height of 60 cm. They flower abuntly in a range of colours during; spring, summer and autumn. If withering flower heads are removed flowers will continue to be produced ensuring plants are covered with flowers for a greater part of the year. This plant prefers a lighly shaded position with a regular watering in the summer, dislikes frosts. They are easily propogated from cuttings in the summer.

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