Garden Weekends - by Amanda Crotty

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Garden Weekends - September 2009

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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