Gardenworld

Fruiting Fig Trees In Pots

By Dennis Ting

In the nursery a common question I am asked is what is a good fruit tree to grow in a pot that will also produce a useful yield.  While we have a good range of Dwarf Peaches and Nectarines (Trixzie), Apples (Ballerina) and Pinkabelle and Pear (Pipsqueak). I believe a forgotten fruit is the Fig Tree. 

Many people are afraid to plant fig trees in the ground due to the vigorous growth and massive size and a reputation for a vigorous root system.  Then at harvest time it is almost impossible to pick on a daily basis the ripening figs on the tall branches and beat the birds.

Hortivations at Ball Australia

by James Wall

 

Hortivations is an industry only event for businesses involved with and related to horticulture. It has been going for a few years now and is one of the premier events in the Australian horticultural calender. The thing people seem to like about it is that it is a fun event and a great place to catch up with whats going on. There is everything from new plants to new potting machines, but more than anything, it is a place of new ideas. Its a bit of fun, and we need that.

Red Hot Poker stokes my fire.

Kniphofia - Red Hot Poker - (Kniphofia Hybrid Cultivar)

There are nearly 70 species in this genus (Asphodelaceae). They are South African clump forming perennials that increase in size each year.

A July garden in Melbourne

The gleditsia tree is barren – there is not a leaf on it. The pruned roses are looking naked, and the unpruned roses are a dishevelled mess.  Deep into winter, the garden is at its most minimalist. It is a distinct season but beneath its bitter cold, there is beauty. The days may be shorter, but we are now past the shortest of them, and gradually they will get longer – and then the earth will wake, the birds will begin to sing and new growth will flood our eyes. This is the time to let your senses explore every corner of your winter garden.

Norfolk Island Pines on a wintery Elwood beach

 

Tassel Ferns - rare and coveted.

A couple of weeks ago we had a call from one of Jamie Durie's team members who had been ringing all over Melbourne trying to get a particular plant to use in their display at Design Expo. She had almost given up trying but apparently Jamie had insisted that he "had to have them" for the display. That's when we got the the call, and just by fluke, we had got our annual delivery in just 3 days before ! The plants are called Tassel Ferns and not only are they rare, they are extrordinarily beautiful.

Tassel ferns date back millions of years according to fossil records. They belong to the Family Lycopodiacae in which  there are only 200 species worldwide. Some of those belong to the genus Huperzia which comprises terrestrial species and a unique group of epiphytes that are known as Tassel Ferns. The exact number of Australian species is difficult to determine as little research has been carried out but there are about 17.

An epiphyte is a plant that grows above the ground, supported nonparasitically by another plant or object, and deriving its nutrients and water from rain, the air, dust, etc.

Universal Gardens

by Peter Green      

When I am asked by customers to give advice and suggestions regarding the choosing of drought tolerant plants, they are often surprised by the wide range on offer. Some are natives. Some are not. There is a good variety of native plants that do well in and around Melbourne. There is also a huge range of environmentally friendly exotics (non-natives) that do better than some natives. Usually because their place of origin is a lot more similar to Melbourne's climate than, say, a Sturt Desert Pea which although native, comes from a climate much different to ours, and does not grow well here.

Survivors In The Heat

 By Dennis Ting - Gardenworld Nursery

Following on from the four very hot days at the end of January, Melbourne was again hit by an extremely hot day on Saturday 7th February 2009 when temperatures reached 46.4c during the day with strong gusty winds in the afternoon.  These conditions have resulted in the Tragic Bush Fires throughout Victoria. 

We have had customers come in and report that they have been seeing damage on plants that in previous years never experienced much damage due to high temperatures which is not surprising given the intense extremes we have seen this year. 

For the home gardener the questions must begin to be asked about whether we are seeing a permanent change to our climate with warmer winters (less cold and frosts) and hotter and more extreme summers? 

growing begonias

At this time of year, we have a lot of gardeners interested in growing begonias. There are the bedding types which come with a choice of green or dark foliage, and pink, red or white flowers. These things can grow in full sun but also do well when in shade for part of the day. Cut them back and they come again. A really cold winter will kill them when they are in exposed positions, but quite often in Melbourne they will survive and have a terrific second year although rarely flower as well as in the first.

Then there are the amazing foliaged rex begonias and also tuberous begonias which have the spectacular double flowers in bright yellows, pinks, reds, whites and picotees. They are really dry tolerant and I guess thats why Ballarat has their famous begonia festival. There are heaps of other interesting begonias and the best place to see them is at a begonia show. I remember going to a good one in Februaury at the Mount Waverly town hall. It was when the Dahlia show was on there. (Maybe its there again this year).

There is a fairly new begonia that is like a bedding begonia but on steroids. It comes from plant breeder Ball and it is perfect for big pots, hanging baskets, and garden beds. It is called Dragon Wings. We have planted it outside Collectors Corner and it is going beserk! It is in a similar place to a back patio. In fact (and now here's the big shameless plug) we have just bought an entire batch of them from a top Melbourne grower and are putting them out in a 20cm pot in flower for only $8.95. That is a saving of $10. .....but they are only available here at Gardenworld. The first 50 got put out today and I have already sold 2..........um I me 3, cause I've bought one for my own front door.

Here are some picks from Ball, with shots of our own to follow.

nearly "kid" high                                                                                with coleus and dichondra