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Garden Weekends - by Amanda Crotty

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Iris

August 14th 2008 10:32
: For Flower Lovers
Iris ensata

The Iris is popular for its variety of beautiful blooms adding colour to borders and gardens in spring and early summer. Flowers can be found in all colour and combinations except scarlet.
When choosing a position in the garden for these plants try for a sunny well drained spot. If the soill is poor try adding something organic. The Japanese Iris are the only ones that do poorly in lime soil all other varieties thrive on lime. There are two main groups.
Rhizome-rooted. A rhizome is a thickened creeping rootstock sometimes small and compact other times large and conspicuous as in the well known bearded Iris. Rhizomeous Iris will spread and multiply easily if given good growing conditions, to keep growth vigorous its a good idea to fork through and divide every four or five years after flowering has finished.
Bulbous-rooted are the other group, this type all have true bulbs like daffodils, bulbous Iris can be left for several years, to multiply you lift the bulb when all growth has withered and seperate the bulblets when well dry. Replant from Feburary till April.


Iris a versatile plant can be grown in a pot, beautiful cut flower. One to keep an eye out for at school/church fetes, garage sales, or gardeners with large clumps that like to trade plants.

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Heliotrope

August 5th 2008 10:11
: Shrubby perennial


This sweet smelling plant gets its name from the ancients who recognized the plants ability to follow the course of the sun. After opening it gradually turns from east to west and during the night turns back east to greet the rising sun.

Heliotrope is a shrubby perrenial that grows to about 75 centimeters high and 1 metre wide.
The sweetly scented flowers come in purple or mauve and appear from early spring to late autumn, the perfume lays claim for this plants other name the Cherry pie plant.
An old fashioned plant that is easily grown in a frost free spot in the garden. Soil should not be allowed to dry out, and a little liquid manure when in bud will give better colours and larger blooms. Cut back after flowering for repeat blooms.
Heliotrope grow wild on the mountain sides of Peru and are said to not like extremes of temperature, mine seems to tolerate them ok though.
In some parts of the U.S.A a sprig of heliotrope is always included in a brides bouquet for good luck.
If your after an attractive plant with a delightful perfume this is the plant for you.



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Back Creek Gorge

July 24th 2008 06:00
: Garden Photos
[
On the walk in.

The water cuts it way through the rocks.

Fresh mountain water.

Stepping stones to cross the creek.

Steps help negotiate the slope.

The walk out.
















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GERBERA

July 24th 2008 04:01
: The Flower Garden
Gerbera


Gerbera are a clumpy perenial with coarse leaves that resemble a giant dandelion. The slender petalled daisy flowers are borne on a tall naked stem and measure about 10 centermeters wide, flowers come in most colours except blue and purple.
These plants have a very long season and are easily grown with plenty of sunlight in rich well drained soil free from frost.
Gerbera flowers are among the top five best selling cut flowers, earning their place by lasting easily for a week in water without wilting.
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Flowering shrub

July 10th 2008 08:35
: In flower south east queensland July 8th 2008
Azalea






DESCRIPTION : Azaleas are an evergreen shrub in the Rhododendron family. They flower from now till late August. Flowers range in colour from white, various pinks, and orange through to red, in singles and doubles. the leaves are small dark green and fury.

GROWING TIPS: Azaleas like plenty of water in the summer. I like to dead head regularly when in flower, keeps them looking tidy and encourages more flowers. I prune to shape when flowering is complete. It's good gardening to plant them small and young rather than when mature.
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whats flowering

June 16th 2008 04:48
: in the flower garden
VIOLET June 2008




PLANT DESCRIPTION
Violets are a small perennial ground cover herb that spread by runners and grow from 10 to 20 centimetres high. The leaves are a rich green and sort of heart shaped. The flowers have a beautiful subtle perfume and range in colours from violet, blue, purple, white, and pink.

GROWING TIPS
Violets like a semi shaded position with protection from the hot afternoon sun. Soil should be well drained, rich and kept moist in hot dry weather. Violets are quiet hardy and tolerate low temperatures. The plants are easily propagated by division of old plants. These delightful plants can also be grown in containers to add a bit of perfume and colour to the garden at this time of the year.


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whats flowering

May 13th 2008 08:04
: FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN
May 2008 CHRYSANTHEMUM






DESCRIPTION:
Chrysanthemum flowers are like a giant daisy in appearance, with much taller flower stalks making them perfect for cut flowers. They come in various colours ranging from white, yellow, various shades of pink and red, the different varieties include singles, doubles and spider types. These plants have leaves that I describe as long rounded maple leaf shape, with a distinct perfume.

GROWING TIPS:
These plants grow well in most soils, but it pays to add compost or manure if growing in sandy soil. They dont like poorly drained soil or where water lies. Plant in a warm sunny position free from wind and heavy shade. Plants are easily grown from cuttings and should be tip pruned till Feburary to form a more compact bush that produces more flowers.
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whats flowering

May 8th 2008 02:48
: FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN
May 2008 ZYGOCACTUS



DESCRIPTION:
Zygocactus are an epiphytic plant growing in trees and rocks in their native Brazilian habitat where the flowers are pollunated by hummingbirds. These plants have arching flat jointed stems that form a small bush making them ideal for growing in containers. They come in most flower colours from white, red, apricot, violet, and shades of pink.

GROWING TIPS:
Zygocactus are easily grown in most frost free areas. They prefer a part shady position with morning sun, and a rich free draining soil. These plants suffer if grown in full sun and may not flower. Avoid overwatering but increase water in the main growing seasons of summer and autumn allowing them to dry out between waterings. The plants are easily grown from cuttings of stem sections taken in spring or summer. Once flower buds have formed dont move plants till buds begin to open.
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Grevillea

April 18th 2008 09:29

These popular shrubs and trees are the lagest group belonging to the protea family, a family of plants that evolved on the prehistoric continent Gondwana. With about 250 members grevilleas come in many sizes with various flower colour, habits and characteristics. All but about 20 belong to Australia, with the exceptions being found in New Caledonia and other Pacific islands. Grevilleas are named after C.F Greville one of the founders of the Royal Agricultural Society.







Originatinting in the temperate rainforests of northern New South Wales and Queensland where its golden flowers outline the creeks each summer, is the widely known silky oak, Grevillea robusta. The name is taken from its valuable timber, as the leaves and flowers dont resemble an oak tree in anyway.







The leaves of the Grevillea are as diverse in colour, shape and size as the plant itself. I would keep in mind their texture when selecting a postion and avoid planting plants with the sharper needle type leaves in traffic areas.







These are great plants for any well drained soil. They can be cut back after flowering if you prefer a more compact shape for fenceline planting. The nectar producing flowers that are forming on most bushes at the moment will attract the most amazing honey eating birds to the garden. If a suitable Grevillea is planted in the right place in the garden it will reward you with years of pleasure.









I like to collect the seed pods put them in a paper bag till they mature and split open to release the papery seed. I then plant the seeds into a tray of soil keeping damp until they pop up. I transplant them into tubes or small pots to grow a bit before I plant them in the garden.
Thats it for now happy gardening.




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Geraniums

April 12th 2008 09:49

Geraniums come in many varieties and colours. included are photos of a few different types I have flowering in my garden at the moment. Geraniums are a very old fashioned plant that in my opion never went out of style, they look good and grow well in pots as well as the garden.



This is my double pink geranium. After they finish flowering I cut them back to form a neat compact bush.



One of my favourites is this lovely white ivy geranium, you may notice the ivy shaped leaves in the background. Ivy geraniums require a bit more water and shelter than other varieties.



This double orangy red one seems to be almost constantly in flower. Geraniums are very easily grown from cuttings, I let the cut ends dry out a bit before putting into soil. I would love to have as many types of geraniums as I can find to grow in my garden.





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