Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum', Bronze Fennel

Fennel has an interesting Olympics association in that the ancient Greek word Marathon means fennel. (in Latin marathrum means fennel)
Part of the myth and legend of the battle of Marathon fought on a fennel field against the Persians in 490 BC , has the Athenian athlete Pheidippides run the first "marathon" with news of battle victory holding of course a sprig of fennel.
Much later the poet Robert Browning alluded to this legend in his stirring poem "Pheidippides" which was published in 1879.
This poem could well have lent some credence towards the inauguration of the marathon race at the first modern Olympics in 1896.
History aside, the bronze form of fennel makes a fine garden plant ,though it should be remembered that the plain green form is something of a roadside weed.
The tan and rich brown foliage of bronze fennel is the perfect foil for bright flowered perennials such as Rudbeckia, Cannas and Daylilies or in combination with roses such as the apricot coloured 'Just Joey' or the coffee shaded 'Julia's rose.
The added bonus is that it is a useful kitchen herb. The cut stems and foliage add a subtle flavour when used to line a baking dish when cooking a whole fish.
The Italians use the other fennel ,the bulb one (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) which is often called aniseed in both salads and hot dishes.
They also use fennel seed in the salami finocciona and for the liqueur fenouillette.
2017 update: Not sure why I didn't include a photo. I still grow it sometimes and it looks best in winter and early spring

Physostegia virginiana, 'Obedient Plant'

Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant

For those with a keen eye, it is interesting to note the inclusion of this flower in the bouquets presented to medal winners at the Beijing Olympic Games. Not a Chinese perennial plant but from east North America where it occurs from Minnesota ,south to North Carolina,Tennessee and Missouri. In Australia ,it is a very hardy plant adaptable to both sub-tropical climates and cold temperate. It is a rampant grower sending out underground stems in all directions, but that said ,it is a good cut flower with strong stiff stems and pretty flowers in shades of white, pale and dark pink. It gets the name 'Obedient Plant' because the individual flowers on the stalk (the pedicel) are malleable and remain fixed when moved. It is a perfect florist's flower as no wire is needed to hold the flower in place. Plants are not readily available anymore but may be available when in flower during summer.
 2017 update: Nice to see it returning to being available again and seeing it on Nursery tubestock lists though I probably won't be growing it commercially again at this stage.

winter break

Hail frozen on a fence ledge
Time for a winter break. Will be returning soon.....

Pimelea linifolia, Rice Flower

Pimelea linifolia, Rice Flower in coastal bushland near Wollongong City

This charming small shrub which grows to about 45cm high is found along the east coast in the sandy soils away from the beach and sheltered from the full force of salt laden winds It seems to be always in flower and is worth growing in the garden if you can mass plant it in amongst some native grasses. There is an improved form available with larger flowers called 'White Jewel'
2017 update: still hard to grow and propagate. Enjoy it on coastal bush walks

Pimelea linifolia 'White Jewel'

Hippeastrum 'Papillo', Butterfly Lily

Hippeastrum 'Papillo' (syn H. psittacinum)

Hippeastrum lilies start to flower in late winter and continue through to spring.The name is derived from 'hippeus' a knight and 'astron' a star and they really are flamboyant and exotic star performers in the garden.The flowers of this one are orchid like ,creamy white and with maroon and green stripes. They like similar conditions to Agapanthus and are just as tough though they prefer the temperature to stay above zero degrees. This species stays evergreen with quite tough strappy leaves. I grow this in a pot with the bulb held quite high above the rim.I remove the small babies from around the parent bulb in summer It likes to be 'pot-bound' and is not particular as to watering. It is from south Brazil where it grows in sandy soil with a leaf mulch in sun or part shade position.
2017 update. This has proved tricky to grow over the years and I have lost a lot of potted plants from bulb rot, though sometimes it is marauding snails and slugs which decimate the plants. I don't have any plants for sale currently.

Azalea indica 'Alphonse Anderson'

Azalea indica 'Alphonse Anderson'

This Azalea is one of the big three which start to flower about now .The others being 'Alba Magna' (pure white) and 'Magnifica' (magenta or rosy purple) Usually you see them in older homes happily growing in the middle of a lawn or garden bed without any obvious watering or attention. I like the white best of all because it is a real blinding snow white .After flowering however, you are left with a fairly ordinary looking shrub usually with leaves affected by red spider mite and other pests. This is the reason they have fallen from favour somewhat.This is a pity because they are such reliable and hardy shrubs. I think the best way to treat them is as topiary and shear them within an inch of their lives. The Japanese do this to the 'Kurume' type Azaleas but the larger types like 'Alphonse' respond well to this treatment as well.

Azaleas in foreground at Japanese Garden, Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane in winter

Propagation by marcotting at Bali Botanic Gardens.

2017 update: there has been a lot more interest in growing these old fashioned style Azaleas in recent years. If you have the patience it is worth starting out with a single stemmed small plant so you have the option of training it as a standard or keeping it close clipped with cloud pruning

Alstroemeria brasiliensis, Parrot Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria brasiliensis 'Variegatus'

The variegated form of the Parrot Lily, so called because the flowers are rosy-crimson and green,is less invasive than the plain green form which should only be planted with caution. The creamy grey leaves of this one remind me of Hosta sieboldiana the plantain lily from Japan which has larger but similarly marked leaves.Whereas Hostas due best in a cool temperate climate this bulb is hardier over a range of climates.It is indispensable as a ground cover in deep dry shade and is a good contrast with dark leaved strappy plants like Clivia lilies.
2017 update I no longer have a plant of it but it occasionally makes an appearance at plant fairs.