Plectranthus cremnus

                Plectranthus cremnus

I call this the Byron Bay Plectranthus as it is from that part of northern New South Wales. Like a lot of native plants it has failed to cross over into the general garden scene despite having these extraordinary deep marine blue flowers and lovely velvet soft heart shaped leaves. The problem is that it is an untidy plant and a bit of a sprawler. Along the way it sheds its stem leaves so you are left looking at a mass of bare stems with leaves and flowers at the terminal. I have tried tip pruning in the hope of making it more compact but this has not made a difference to the overall appearance. Nevertheless it is a hardy plant and does not have any special water or fertilizer requirements.

 

Hibiscus heterophyllus Variegatus

      Hibiscus heterophyllus 'Variegatus'

The bonus of having a shrub with variegated foliage is that you get year round interest when the flowering time has finished. Variegation is sometimes not a very stable trait however and the appearance of green branches can sometimes indicate that the plant is fighting to caste off its gaudy party frock and return to being a 'plain Jane'. Such is the case here though the variegation is remaining on the uppermost stems and leaves which are vividly marked with white and cream; with this style of variegation being easier on the eye than yellow or gold which can look quite harsh in our Australian sun.

The flowers are produced from a very early stage as the top photo attests and are the typical Hibiscus big one day pale pink to white ones. 

This is a good quick growing screen shrub with a long summer blooming time. The only downside to the native Hibiscus is that the stems may be prickly and the slightly hairy stems and leaves may be a bit irritating to the skin. Given a position in sun or semi shade it may reach a height of three to five metres.

I currently have stock of this in 140 mm pots.

Erodium reichardii 'Flore Pleno'

Erodium reichardii 'Flore Pleno' syn. Erodium x variabile (Gerinaceae)

Native habitat: Limestone cliffs, Cap de Formentor, Spain

It is at this time of year that I pay most attention to the propagation, by division, of species Geraniums. After late summer and autumn dormancy they spring back to life during short cooler days and start to produce new foliage and the first flower buds which will carry them through to a peak of flowering in a few months time. Congested clumps with their long swollen roots can be teased apart and those tipped with a rosette of leaves can be potted on. The roots themselves often have dormant buds and may send up new shoots if placed in a tray and re-covered with potting soil. Even the Australian species Pelargonium rodneyanum and the un-named Western Australian P. 'Mallee Magic' are propagated in this way at this time of year.

As I am fascinated by miniature thumbnail sized flowers, as much as big blousey ones, this Erodium fits the bill when it comes to the former flower size. It is a variable species and flowers may be white, pale pink and double or semi double.The dark pink stripes on the petals enhance the pink ones, hence 'Roseum' is sometimes tacked onto the botanical name. Cultivar names include 'Charm' and 'Pink Galaxy'. The original white flowering species was named by Swedish botanist Johan Andreas Murray (1740-1791) (he of Murraya paniculata) for his German mate and fellow plant hunter Dr Johann Jakob Reichard (1743-1782). 'Die schonsten arbenteuer in Deutschland' before Reichard died young of TB. Both worked out of Gottingen Botanic Garden.
This is a great plant for a rock garden or scree bed of 'alpines', where the term alpines refers to small rock hugging or scrambling plants and not necessarily a cold climate. I like to grow plants such as this in small flat troughs topped with a gravel mulch, ideally limestone chips for best growth. Bonsai pots are ideal for this. As it is a fairly tough little plant, not demanding of water or fertilizer, it will tolerate moderate frost but during the full heat of summer it is best moved to a shady location and given a rest until it comes to life again when the weather cools down.

the 'macro'

A way to go before it fills out this pot.

Just potted Pelargonium rodneyanum

Plectranthus argentatus 'Silver Shield'

Plectranthus argentatus 'Silver Shield'

'Silver Shield' was introduced to the garden scene many years ago by the good folk at Ball Horticulture as part of their Nature's Decor range of plants. It is the compact growing form of the Queensland native Plectranthus argentatus which is a sprawling rainforest understory shrub. Like the original species it prefers a fairly warm spot in the garden though it will tolerate light frost. Frost damage of blackened leaves is only a temporary problem of this otherwise hardy sun or shade loving shrub. Usually it grows to around 60 cm in height and it will need an annual prune to keep it in shape. Green looper caterpillars are fond of the leaves and as they hide on the lower leaf surface, the damage is often done before you find the culprit. Snails also can disfigure the leaves.

Flowers which are pale lavender in colour are fairly insignificant and are not really noteworthy as this silver foliage plant stands alone by adding an exciting colour element to any garden or container grown collection of plants.

Doryanthes palmeri, Spear Lily

Sir Arthur Palmer 1819-1898
Queensland Premier 1870 -1874

Doryanthes palmeri named in his honour.

The giant spear lily is just starting to flower with its enormous flower spike (a panicle technically) snaking skywards up to 5 metres.This species is found on cliffs and rocky hillsides above 600 metres, from Mt Warning in northern New South Wales to Mt Mistake in Queensland. I prefer this species to the more common, especially around Sydney, Doryanthes excelsa , the Gymea Lily, with its more upright flower stem. Doryanthes palmeri has adapted well to cultivation and will grow as far south as Melbourne being tolerant of frost. It adds a lot of drama to a garden with its robust clump forming habit and long leaves even when not in flower. It needs a spot in rocky well drained soil preferable on a slope. Propagation is usually from seed but seed grown plants will take up to ten years to flower. If collecting seed you need to wait at least six months after flowering has finished for seed to be mature. I have never attempted to divide a clump which is another way of getting new plants but I imagine it would be a bit like trying to divide a clump of Strelitzia, Bird of Paradise. You could do all that work only to find it fails to flourish after planting.
2017 update: I have limited stock available in 200mm pots.

Doryanthes palmeri

Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite'

Grevillea rosmarinifolia 'Scarlet Sprite'

This compact metre high Grevillea has been a favourite of mine for many years. It is just starting to flower and I probably should have waited a couple of weeks before taking a photo of it . The only down side to this sharp leafed Grevillea is that it can cause some skin irritation or rash if you come in contact with the foliage. I give this one a light pruning constantly, as it is growing, so as to enhance the shape. If mass planted it would make an excellent retreat for small nectar feeding birds which would be protected from predators put off by the prickly leaves.Trouble free to grow and not really requiring special treatment one established other than a light prune from time to time and a handful of fertilizer in summer.

Grevillea 'Fireworks'

Grevillea 'Fireworks' 

This is a terrific small growing (1metre) Grevillea which I planted about eight months ago and it is just coming into flower. It is one bred by Bywong Nursery which is situated about 30 km north east of Canberra in the settlement of Bywong. It is a hybrid between Gevillea rosmarinifolia 'Scarlet Sprite' and Grevillea alpina. What I like about it is the compact growth habit making it an ideal low hedge plant as well as the brightness and quantity of flowers which explode in all direction from the top of the bush.The leaves are also soft with no spines or prickles. This Grevillea is protected by plant breeders rights PBR.

Grevillea 'Coochin Hills'

Magnificent Bougainvillea at Coochin Coochin homestead near Boonah in south east Queensland. It was planted to celebrate the homecoming of Aussie troops after World War1.
Coochin means red in the Jagera language of the Ugarapul people and is named for the red bill of the black swan

Coochin Run 1854
Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
Queensland Art Gallery
Grevillea 'Coochin Hills'indigenous to the area

Black Swan 1792
First Fleet Artwork Collection
Natural History Museum
London

Melaleuca nesophila

Melaleuca nesophila
 From the Greek nesos, an island and -philus, loving

This hardy and popular native shrub grows 5 metres by 5 metres, making it a useful screen or hedge plant. It was first found on Doubtful Island, near Bremer Bay, on the south coast of Western Australia growing in pure sand. Under garden cultivation it will grow in most soils and aspects from coastal to inland, tolerating dry and frost. From spring right through summer it is covered with small mauve bottle brush style flowers which attract honey eating birds.

Kangaroo Paws

Wind resistant Kangaroo Paws (Anigozanthus cultivars)

After three days of gale force winds with gusts in excess of 100km an hour ,there is not much left of the Spring blossom trees.
 Kangaroo Paws are one of the great plants which have adapted well to our harsh climate and put on a great show regardless of the weather.There is a whole range of interesting varieties available in a range of colours. They require a bit of maintenance such as removal of spent flowers and thinning out a clump if they become congested. A side dressing of organic fertilizer after flowering keeps them happy. Birds love the flowers as well.

Philotheca shrubs

Philotheca syn Eriostemon cultivar

This delightful native shrub is looking fantastic at the moment .The various forms and species of this plant all bear masses of waxy white or pink flowers .Names such as 'Profusion', 'Cascade of Stars' and 'Flower Girl' have been registered to describe particular varieties. Most are compact growing shrubs up to a metre in height with the bonus of having aromatic foliage typical of members of the citrus family (Rutaceae). They prefer light well drained soils with a good covering of leaf litter mulch but adapt to heavier soils in positions of full sun or part shade.

Thryptomene saxicola

Thryptomene saxicola

This small, open pendulous (1metre) shrub from south Western Australia has been in garden cultivation for a long time and is noted for the dainty pink flowers which smother the bush at this time of year. It is a good cut flower and can be used to fill out an arrangement. In a garden, its miniature leaves and flowers work against it, as it merges into the surrounding vegetation and looks a bit like a pink blur. It would be useful as foreground planting in a raised planter box which allows the sprays of flowers to be held high to spill over the edge.

Thryptomene with mauve Swan River Daisy ,Grasses and Kangaroo Paw

The Geraldton Wax, Chamaelaucium uncinatum

Chamaelaucium uncinatum
 Geraldton Wax

Native to the coastal sands of the Irwin district of Western Australia, this shrub has been in cultivation for a long time and is well known in the cut flower trade both here and overseas. It is a fine leafed shrub with an open habit which grows to about 2 metres. Flowers vary in colour from white to all shades of pink.It has the reputation for being a bit difficult to grow in the garden as it requires a well drained but moist soil and a climate of low summer humidity. Because its growth habit tends to be sparse, it is best planted in groups of 5 or more and kept well pruned after it has finished flowering. It is a great shrub for seaside gardens and the flowers release a honey fragrance in the warm days of late winter and early spring.

Paper Daisy

Rhodanthe chlorocephala ssp rosea

Today I planted some seeds of this annual pink paper daisy which is native to south Western Australia and into South Australia. The seeds are interesting as they are covered with a soft white 'fur' and is quite soft to touch. They are large enough to handle individually and are best planted in groups of three. The plant grows to about 30cm and the stems are fairly weak and are coloured pale grey green. I grow them in pots as they need a sandy free draining soil which is not always easy to provide.

Xerochrysum bracteatum, Golden Everlasting

This is the common golden paper daisy which is a short lived perennial and fairly easy to grow .This wild form starts to flower now and goes right through to the warmer months. I often catch a glimpse of it beside the road when driving to Sydney. It is a cheery colour to brighten cold winter days.There are lots of showy large flowered varieties of this plant in a whole range of colours including white ,red and pink. They are fast growing and provide great colour in pots and garden beds without much attention.

Pennisetum alopecuroides, Swamp Foxtail Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides
 Swamp Foxtail Grass

Foxtail grass is found in most States of Australia as well as in Asia and the Pacific Islands. It naturally occurs along streams and in damp places but is fairly adaptable to general garden conditions where it may receive less water. It grows in a clump to about a metre and the bushy bristly purple tinged flower heads can appear anytime from December to April .I have seen it used as a decorative hedge plant growing along a fence line facing the street and fortunately the garden owner knew to prune it back hard during winter to allow new growth to emerge in Spring. It is very decorative mass planted under Eucalyptus as above and will tolerate light shade as well as full sun. Most grasses are fairly easy to divide if you want more plants. Fertilizer requirements are minimal.

Adiantum, Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum capillus-veneris 

 Maidenhair fern at the hundred fountains ,Villa d'Este, Tivoli ,Italy

Adiantum aethiopicum local species of Maidenhair fern

One of the memorable gardens to visit is Villa d'Este at Tivoli outside Rome where Maidenhair fern can be seen growing profusely out of rock crevices and clothing the fountains. The local species does much the same thing if given half the chance and only really needs the occasional cut back of old fronds to keep it looking good. After recent rains and milder temperatures, it is sending out a flush of pale new growth and looks exceptionally fine and delicate. It is actually quite a hardy plant though and 'goes to sleep' during dry periods coming back to life when conditions are right. It will even tolerate a position in sun without any burning of the fronds. Cutting it back to ground level seems to be the way to go if it ever looks tatty as it will quickly come back to life when conditions are favourable.

Lepironia articulata, Blue Rush

Lepironia articulata, Blue Rush in Tomaree National Park
Shoal Bay, New South Wales

Lepironia articulata,Native Blue Rush

This 2.5 metre native sedge grows in wetlands from about Wollongong north into Queensland and the Northern Territory. It is striking in appearance with its steely blue upright foliage and often forms huge swaths across the coastal landscape ,clearly visible if you are driving the Pacific Highway north.. It can be grown in a large pot or container in a home garden pond where it may end up being used as a launching pad for emerging dragonflies.

2017 update: I don't grow it but love it in the landscape.

Breynia nivosa 'Roseo-picta' Confetti Bush

Breynia nivosa 'Roseo-picta' 
Confetti Bush

Breynia are a group of shrubs growing from 1 to 2 metres which are noted for their small brightly coloured leaves ,mottled pink as in the above,and pure white in the case of B 'Pacific Snow' .They are native to South Sea Islands and Australia. One Australian species which has the name B.'Ironstone Range' has burgundy coloured foliage and grows to around 2 metres. It is very decorative as the the branches weep over in a graceful manner and carry bright red berries from time to time.The other native species B oblongifolia is often found in coastal hind dunes and though of little ornamental value is an important food plant for butterfly species and birds which relish the small succulent fruit .All are hardy from tropical to warm temperate climates though some leaf drop may be expected when temperatures go down to zero C.
2017 update: Some suckering does occur around mature plants especially in sandy soils.
I currently have some plants available in 200mm pots at $15.95 ex Nursery.

Scaevola aemula Purple Fan Flower

Scaevola aemula  
Purple Fan Flower

This native ground cover always looks good in a nursery pot and can be a real impulse buy, but keeping it alive in the garden for more than a couple of seasons is another matter. It likes a spot in full sun with well drained soil and minimal disturbance once established. It has the habit of dieing out in patches which can spoil the overall appearance. Because of the initial lush growth and abundance of flowers ,it is often recommended for a hanging basket,which is fine as long as you have the time to put in for caring for basket specimens which can dry out quickly on a hot day .Good luck with this beauty.
2017 update: I no longer grow it.

Lythrum salicaria, Loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria Loosestrife

This tall (1.5metres) late summer flowering perennial could truly be described as a universal or old world plant as it native to both Australia and the northern hemisphere. This pale pink form is a local species found along water courses often growing in shallow water. It has an ethereal quality as the stems are very fine and thin and wave about in the slightest breeze. It needs to be grown in front of a broad leaf water plant to show it off well ,something like the giant Gunnera manicata would be ideal. Loosestrife goes completely dormant during winter which makes it suitable for growing in both temperate climates and warm ones. Selected forms and hybrids have been developed as well; mainly in Britain where the following cultivars are listed. Atropurpureum ,deep purple Brightness', rosy-purple ,'Lady Sackville' rose-pink and 'Robert' a clear pink.
2017 update I do not have any plants available.