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TV show lvn 7.30pm Friday COLOUR September 2022 your complete guide to spring hEoGROW PERFECT planting TOMATOES relcno e!, SUPERCHARGE YOUR COMPOST PROPAGATE NATIVE PLANTS MAKE A SIMPLE CHOOK FEEDER re Sallabout THE BEGUILING BEGONIA ONLY $7.80 09 9 312966 128997 Costa Georgiadis Tammy Huynh The rich rewards Explore the world of regenerative of hydroponically gardening grown anthuriums

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EDITOR’S LETTER el o e H ello, lovely to meet you – and it’s a thrill to step Gardening can be an act of hope, love, patience and even into the editorship of your beloved magazine. defiance, depending on your circumstances. Costa’s story on I’m lucky to be joining an incredible bunch of regenerative gardening (page 30) is a tale about patience and people. From horticultural editor, AB Bishop, to our learning a whole new way of caring for the landscape. Tammy pool of talented freelance writers and photographers, to our Huynh visits a pair of passionate plantspeople, Alicia and Nige, eagle-eyed copy editors, it’s a team brimming with horticultural who demystify hydroponics and testify that “plants give you hope”, passion and expertise. And together, we’re here to help you (page 38). And AB Bishop consults an expert on propagating on your journey of gardening discovery. A big nod to my natives (page 52). I feel empowered after reading it. predecessor, Jenny Baldwin, and former horticultural editor, Phil Dudman, for their wonderful work, and I’m pleased to report Spring has sprung! So if you’re heading to the nursery (and you’ll continue to see their names popping up in the magazine. who isn’t?), make sure you read Jennifer Stackhouse’s guide What does your garden mean to you? For me, the garden is a to spring planting before you go (page 14). And check out the place for family and dreams. My husband and I are DIY-ers and month’s vegie-growing action in the Patch and Planner. for almost a decade we’ve been restoring a 120-year-old home. When we arrived, the interiors were sad but the exterior was Until next issue, happy gardening. even sadder: at the front was a desolate stretch of concrete; at the rear, a rectangle of weed-infested lawn and not one plant. Elizabeth Wilson We made a controversial decision. Before touching the dire interiors, we decided to spend time starting a garden. Friends and onlookers were baffled. But our theory was that it could grow while we slowly restored the home. Our first move was to jackhammer and remove a square of concrete at the front (revealing remarkably good soil that hadn’t seen sunlight for more than 50 years) and plant a West Australian flowering gum tree. Our two young daughters helped pat down the soil. It was an act of hope and a promise to ourselves of the changes to come. Nine years on, that gum tree has grown strong and sculptural, as tall as our eaves, with a glorious crown of foliage and bursts of red flowers in summer. The rest of the concrete has now gone and the gum sits in a sea of evergreen natives, including my favourite, a grass tree. Out the back, the transformation has been just as profound. As we’d hoped, our garden has grown and flourished, providing us with privacy and layered greenery… even while renovations continue. The plants maketh our home. TOUCH PHOTO SIENNA KUTASI SUBSCRIPTIONS 1300 361 146 SOCIAL MEDIA EMAIL [email protected] STAY IN MAGAZINE EDITORIAL (02) 9901 6325 facebook.com/ TV SHOW (03) 8646 2875 ABCGardeningAustraliamagazine @gardeningaustraliamag GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 5

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SEPTEMBER 2022 69 CONTENTS 30 For all your top jobs in the garden this month, turn to page 74 COVER COVER STORIES PHOTOS NICHOLAS WATT, ISTOCK, HYNESITE PHOTOGRAPHY TV show lvn 14 Your complete guide to COMPETITIONS 7.30pm spring planting ON THE Friday COLOUR + READER OFFERS September 2022 24 All about rex 09 your complete 30 The rich rewards of 64 Subscribe now to receive 9 312966 128997hEoGROW PERFECT guide to spring a bonus diary or calendar, regenerative gardening valued at $19.99 each TOMATOES planting 38 Explore the world of 84 Win one of five ‘Duck and SUPERCHARGE relcno e!, hydroponically grown Ducklings’ garden art sets YOUR COMPOST anthuriums from Metalscape, valued 52 Propagate native plants at $125 each re SPROPAGATE 60 Make a simple chook feeder 70 Grow perfect tomatoes 86 Solve the crossword for a NATIVE PLANTS 72 Supercharge your compost chance to win one of three Fiskars garden tool packs, MAKE A SIMPLE worth $337.80 each CHOOK FEEDER all about THE BEGUILING BEGONIA ONLY $7.80 Costa Georgiadis Tammy Huynh The rich rewards Explore the world of regenerative of hydroponically gardening grown anthuriums Find ways to add joyful colour to your spring garden and keep it in great shape on page 14. Photo: Gap Photos/ Joanna Kossak GARDENING AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 7

SEPTEMBER 48 60 14 24 38 70 FEATURES 38 Urban jungle REGULARS PHOTOS LUKE SIMON, ISTOCK, NATALIE MENDHAM, THE FLOWERLAND, BRENT WILSON, SHUTTERSTOCK Meet a couple who’ve turned their 14 Spring fling Sydney home into a hydroponic 10 Marketplace Plants and books How to fill your garden with joyful breeding and growing facility for 58 At home with Jackie The joys of displays of colour this spring, plus anthuriums and other indoor plants tips for keeping your plants thriving growing and cooking with arrowroot 48 Make a garden from scratch 67 In the patch 24 Rex appeal In the final instalment of this series, Discover the bold colours and beautiful learn how to maintain your garden • Plant melons patterns of the magnificent rex begonia and manage the unexpected • Sow & plant chart for September • Your problem solved: Why aren’t my 28 Quiet achiever 52 Cutting edge Chilean myrtle delivers in spades with Expert tips for propagating native fruit trees flowering? its fragrant flowers and edible fruit plants, with a step-by-step guide • Grow healthy and delicious tomatoes • Supercharge your home compost 30 Born to be re-wilded 60 Try this! 74 Action planner Jobs for this month Costa meets a garden designer who’s Make a pest-resistant chook feeder 82 Mailbox Your letters, photos teamed up with a local landcare group from bits and pieces in your shed and questions to regenerate the bush... and his garden 86 Crossword 88 TV & radio guide Your ABC ABC Gardening Australia magazine acknowledges Aboriginal 89 The directory and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and 98 The big picture traditional custodians of the lands where we live and work. 8 SEPTEMBER 2022 GARDENING AUSTRALIA

Garden from the comfort of home, online or by mail. At Tesselaar we only supply plants that are We send seven seasonal, full colour, free garden worthy, plants that we have trialled and catalogues each year. We also ofer additional tested to ensure they meet our high standards online specials and limited release rare plants. and yours. We are so sure of our products, Our friendly staf are always happy to help out we ofer a full money back guarantee on with your garden questions. All our products are everything we sell. We search far and wide to accompanied by detailed growing instructions find the best plants for your garden, then we and tips to help you along your way to creating package them with care so they arrive safely at the most beautiful garden for your home. your door, no matter where you live in Australia. ORDER YOUR SIGN UP NOW FREE CALL 1300 428 527 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE TESSELAAR CATALOGUE www.tesselaar.net.au Mail order gardening at its best. 357 Monbulk Rd, Silvan, Vic 3795. Ph: 1300 428 527 Fax: 03 9737 7798 Email: [email protected]

EDITOR Elizabeth Wilson To celebrate India’s 75th anniversary of HORTICULTURAL EDITOR AB Bishop independence, the Australian Government commissioned the selection and naming ART DIRECTOR Rachel Henderson of a new rose from Ross Roses. The ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sally Feldman strongly perfumed ‘Samsa-ra’ rose also CHIEF SUBEDITOR Sofia Charalambous celebrates the Australia-India bilateral SUBEDITORS Gina Hetherington, Kirsten Wilkins partnership, as well as the contributions EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Carole Gridley and achievements of Indian Australian diaspora communities. Its ruffled, DIGITAL EDITOR Karen Burge cupped blooms in soft to mid pink with cheery yellow centres exude ABC TV HOST Costa Georgiadis happiness and celebratory vibes. These PRESENTERS Josh Byrne, Tino Carnevale, Jerry Coleby-Williams, flowers appear in profusion through spring and autumn, with good coverage Jane Edmanson, Millie Ross, Clarence Slockee, Sophie Thomson over summer. Growing 1.5m tall and 1m wide, this rose is extremely healthy and CONTRIBUTORS could be incorporated into a mixed bed Steve Ball, Phil Dudman, Steve Falcioni, Jackie French, Cathy Holt, or allowed to shine on its own next to a Judy Horton, Tammy Huynh, Gerard Hynes, Michael McCoy, Natalie Mendham, bench, path or steps, where its delicious Hannah Moloney, Martyn Robinson, Jennifer Stackhouse, Sue Stevens, scent can be appreciated, too. rossroses.com.au Richard Unsworth, Nicholas Watt, Brent Wilson, Helen Young Mandevillas are beloved by warm climate gardeners for ADVERTISING DIRECTOR their prolific, showy flowers from spring through to autumn. Anabel Tweedale, [email protected] Phone (02) 9901 6371 Latest off the ranks is the heat-loving, fast-growing ADVERTISING SALES Mandevilla Aloha ‘Pink Star’. Maintain it as a compact Donna McIlwaine, [email protected] Phone (02) 9901 6384 shrub in a pot, or leave it to sprawl up to 1.5m tall and wide Iris McPherson, [email protected] Phone (02) 9901 6160 in the ground. It also looks gorgeous cascading from a Annya Azzopardi, [email protected] Phone (02) 9901 6320 hanging basket, or trained up a trellis for a vibrant wall of colour. It boasts masses of large, hot-pink, trumpet-shaped PRODUCTION MANAGER Peter Ryman flowers with a white star and golden yellow throat, set off PRODUCTION AND DIGITAL SERVICES MANAGER Jonathan Bishop by bright green leaves. For maximum blooms, plant in full EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ABC TV Gill Lomas sun or semi-shade in free-draining soil, and give it HEAD PUBLISHING AND LICENSING ABC COMMERCIAL Lisa Hunter a light trim after flowering to promote new growth. BRAND MANAGER ABC MAGAZINES Jenni Powell ramm.com.au SUBSCRIPTION SALES AND ENQUIRIES 1300 361 146, gardeningaustralia.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES [email protected] Phone (02) 9901 6325 NEXTMEDIA PTY LTD Locked Bag 5555, St Leonards NSW 1590 Phone (02) 9901 6100 GM CONSUMER PUBLISHING Carole Jones MANAGING DIRECTOR Arek Widawski ISSN: 1325-1465 ABC Gardening Australia magazine is published by nextmedia Pty Ltd (ACN 128 805 970) under licence from the publisher, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and is subject to copyright in its entirety. ‘ABC’ and the ‘Wave’ and ‘Gardening Australia’ trademarks are used under licence from the ABC. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or part, without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication unless specified otherwise. All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled not for publication. nextmedia and the publisher do not accept responsibility for damage to, or loss of, submitted material. Opinions expressed in ABC Gardening Australia magazine are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of nextmedia or the publisher. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. No liability is accepted by nextmedia, the publisher, nor the authors for any information contained herein. All endeavours are made to ensure accuracy and veracity of all content and advice herein, but neither ABC Gardening Australia magazine nor its publisher or contributors is responsible for damage or harm, of whatever description, resulting from persons undertaking any advice or using any product mentioned or advertised in ABC Gardening Australia magazine or its website. PRIVACY POLICY We value the integrity of your personal information. If you provide personal information through your participation in any competitions, surveys or offers featured in this issue of ABC Gardening Australia magazine, this will be used to provide the products or services that you have requested and to improve the content of our magazines. Your details may be provided to third parties who assist us in this purpose. In the event of organisations providing prizes or offers to our readers, we may pass your details on to them. From time to time, we may use the information you provide us to inform you of other products, services and events our company has to offer. We may also give your information to other organisations, which may use it to inform you about their products, services and events, unless you tell us not to do so. You are welcome to access the information we hold about you by getting in touch with our privacy officer, who can be contacted at nextmedia, Locked Bag 5555, St Leonards, NSW 1590.

MARKETPLACE Until now, it’s been hard to find spectacular when planted in a mixed a ‘yellow’ petunia that lives up container – try it with deep-blue or to its name, but ‘Bee’s Knees’ purple plants such as Lobelia Riviera really is the business. Its ‘Midnight Blue’ for a dazzling display. profusion of long-lasting, ballaustralia.com rain-hardy blooms fade from ON TH a deep gold in the centre to a pale lemon at the edge, making this annual a winner through spring and summer, in pots, hanging baskets or sprawling mounds in garden beds. If you give it well-drained soil, plenty of sun and a regular top-up of flower-promoting fertiliser through the growing season, it will reward you with a cheery burst of sunshine – whatever the weather. You can give it a gentle trim midway through summer to prolong flowering, too. It grows 20–25cm high and 40–55cm wide, and looks E SHELF PL A N TS A selection of new releases for garden lovers nationwide TEXT AB BISHOP, SALLY FELDMAN Floriferous and easy to care for, begonias are a favourite in public gardens and spaces. The yellow-centred flowers on Begonia Dragon Wing White are larger than most begonias, creating a dramatic display alongside its big green leaves. Unlike other begonias, this hybrid has a unique pendulous habit, creating a spectacular display when grown in hanging baskets or large containers. Flowering prolifically through spring and summer, it produces more flowers when grown in full sun, but is still a good performer in semi-shade, making it a valuable addition to many gardens. It grows 25–30cm tall and 35–40cm wide, and although it thrives in the heat and high humidity of the tropics, it can also grow well in cool, frost-free climates. Use this plant to bring a touch of elegance to your garden. ballaustralia.com G A R D EN I N G AU S T R A L I A S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2 11

MARKETPLACE ON TH E SHELF BOOKS WITH NATURE NATUROPOLIS Fiona Brockhoff Deborah Frenkel, Photography by Earl Carter Ingrid Bartkowiak Hardie Grant Books Storytorch Press In this exquisitely photographed book, Australian ‘Look closer, look with care and garden designer Fiona Brockhoff showcases 14 of her gardens from across the you may find a forest...’ That’s the country. Fundamental to Brockhoff’s garden designs are environmental sustainability, promise on the back cover of this the adventurous use of native plants, and interesting shapes and textures. Most of delightful children’s storybook, which her gardens are designed to survive with little attention and maintenance – apart from aims to connect children with nature vegetable gardens and chicken runs, which she likes to include. From small-space even when they live in a seemingly inner-city gardens, to coastal and rural properties, this book has many inspirational barren metropolis. Through simple ideas and planting styles designed to challenge the norm, with tips and guidance text (including bite-sized facts) and for creating your own sustainable, natural and holistic garden. handpainted illustrations, the story follows the journey of a tiny gravel THE AGE OF SEEDS ant as it rolls a crumb of food through city streets. Dandelions, wild fungi, Fiona McMillan-Webster ferns, moss, penny lizards, huntsman ames & Hudson Australia spiders and possums are just some of the plants and creatures the ant Subtitled How Plants Hacked Time and Why Our encounters as it makes the journey to Future Depends On It, this book starts with a its own community beneath the stony disarmingly personal account of the author’s ground on the outskirts of the city. discovery of an out-of-date packet of sunflower Available from September 2022. seeds and her fruitless attempt to grow them. It then continues with the intriguing tale of how a 2000-year-old extinct date-palm seed was discovered, planted and, remarkably, sprouted a healthy young date palm, suggesting that seeds are capable of extremely long viability. Many, however, are not – including those crucial to our everyday lives. What follows is an elegantly written investigation into the miracle of seeds, which in turn presents a compelling case for understanding how important it is to make them last for our own survival. THE COMPACT AUSTRALIAN BIRD GUIDE Jeff Davies, Peter Menkhorst, is a useful quick reference guide for both Danny Rogers, Rohan Clarke, beginners and experienced birdwatchers. Peter Marsack, Kim Franklin The guide includes up-to-date species CSIRO Publishing descriptions, distribution maps, icons that This user-friendly, beautifully illustrated indicate the likelihood of an encounter, and TEXT CAROLE GRIDLEY book is a guide to all bird species commonly quick guide comparison pages for major found in Australia. Featuring more than groups. A companion to The Australian Bird 700 bird species that are residents of, or Guide, this portable version is ideal for taking regular visitors to, Australia’s mainland, on field trips, or just to have on hand for fast Tasmania and its surrounding oceans, this and accurate identifications.

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PLANTS PHOTO ISTOCK s r nFLING With spring in the air, the flowers are blooming and your local nursery is beckoning! Here, JENNIFER STACKHOUSE offers a taste of what’s in store to add some seasonal magic to your garden, with tips on how to keep it powering and flowering 14 S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2 G A R D E N I N G AU S T R A L I A

Plants are budding, shoots are popping through the soil, and the days are getting longer and warmer. The Mole in the classic children’s book The Wind in the Willows started to spring-clean his burrow, but was soon lured into the great outdoors by the excitement and promise of spring. Like Mole, gardeners are lured into the garden and down to the nursery as spring erupts. We feel the pull to buy new plants, dig the earth and scatter fertiliser. The good news is that there are spring-flowering plants for every garden, whether it’s old-fashioned cottage charm you’re craving or a haven of natives for wildlife. INSTANT COLOUR One of the quickest ways to get your spring flower fix is with what’s known in the trade as ‘potted colour’. These advanced plants of annuals and perennials are in bloom and ready to go into a larger pot, hanging basket or garden bed. Top options for spring flowers include annuals such as petunias and pansies, bulbs such as mini daffodils and tulips, and perennials of all sorts – look out for gerberas (Gerbera x hybrida), marguerite daisies (Argyranthemum frutescens) and cute native cut-leaf daisies (Brachyscome multifida). Also on offer in spring are boldly coloured zonal geraniums, enticing potted azaleas, mini roses and more native treasures such as boronias in full bloom. LEFT Pick up a pot of already-blooming annuals such as petunias for instant spring colour.

PLANTS While buying potted colour costs more + s sTHRILLS, FILLS than buying a punnet of seedlings or a A great way to achieve a joyful small, non-flowering pot of the same plant, display in a container is to have a 'thriller, filler and spiller’, choosing it does give instant rewards. Keep these flower colours that either harmonise or contrast. Use potted colour as the plants growing and flowering by regularly ‘thriller’, surround it with seedlings to ‘fill’ the rest of the pot, and add some applying liquid fertiliser and removing spent trailing plants to cascade or ‘spill’ over the edge. A pretty spring combination flowers. To extend the show, buy a punnet could be a pot of spring bulbs, such as tulips, surrounded by small, shrubby of seedlings to team with an advanced plant annuals – snapdragon or dianthus – with lobelia as the spiller. as a centrepiece, and plant them together 16 S E P T E M B E R 202 2 G A R D ENIN G AUS TR A L I A in a large container or in the garden. c rse While new plants are beguiling, don’t neglect existing plants. Spring is a great time to re-pot indoor and outdoor plants into new potting mix, in a slightly larger pot. Remove any dead or diseased growth, and give the plants an overall tidy. Liquid-fertilise all potted plants as they show signs of new growth. Move frost-tender potted plants from their sheltered winter locations into a more open situation (but keep an eye on the weather). Hanging baskets or pots that dry out can be hard to re-wet. To revive plants and saturate the potting mix, plunge the dried-out container into a tub of water. Leave it until the root ball is thoroughly wet. Follow up with a drink of seaweed solution. Punnets often contain more plants than you need. Pot up any excess into small containers as gifts, or simply share what’s left with friends or neighbours to spread the joy of spring. Alternatively, if you’ve come home with more plants than you can find a place for in the garden, they can always go in a pot or PHOTOS ISTOCK, ALAMY hanging basket at the front or back door as a cheery welcome. So make sure to add a bag of potting mix and some extra containers to your shopping trolley just to be safe!

COVER ME Festoon your fence and cover the shed by planting spring-flowering climbers. Look for ones in flower including Clematis montana, jasmine, star jasmine, climbing roses, ivy geranium or allamanda to plant for instant effect, and for flowers each spring. ‘Crepuscule’ is a long-flowering, apricot-coloured climbing rose, while the climbing ‘Softee’ has clusters of white flowers. Both grow with few thorns and repeat-flower over many months. In cold climates, you also have time to plant sweet pea seeds or seedlings to grow on a sunny fence or shed. In warmer climates, nasturtiums can cover a fence or wall with their large green leaves and red-hot orange or yellow flowers. c re Attach horizontal s wires to a fence, or erect a wire or lattice trellis to give climbing plants the support they need, while still allowing access to the fence for maintenance. Give seedlings such as sweet pea or nasturtium a helping hand to reach the climbing frame by inserting some twigs to bridge the gap between the emerging seedling and the first rung of the support. FAR LEFT TO RIGHT Punnets of seedlings can help prolong spring colour; mix established plants, seedlings and trailing plants for a fabulous pot of colour; yellow allamanda flowers climbing a fence.

PLANTS EAT THE HEDGE If you don’t want to feed yourself, think about encouraging birds and beneficial If you have plenty of room in front of a insects with a flowering native hedge of fence, consider planting a hedge – spring grevillea, banksia or bottlebrush. Grow one is the perfect time. There are your regular selected variety or make a tapestry hedge hedge choices, such as photinia, viburnum, by planting a few different varieties that pittosporum or conifer, but why not branch grow to a similar height and width. out with an edible hedge? Dense but productive evergreens, such as goji berry (Lycium barbarum), coffee (Coffea arabica), pepperberry (Tasmannia lanceolata) and lillypilly (especially varieties of Syzygium spp. or Acmena spp.), can create hedging that works as both a screen and a prolific plant. Pepperberry, a native to southern Australia, needs both male and female plants for berries to form. c re Install a watering s system along the length of the hedge at the time of planting to make it easier to keep plants well watered and thriving. Space hedging plants according to their spread (look for the plant’s width on the label) and how quickly you want the hedge to form. Space shrubs about 50–100cm apart and PHOTOS ISTOCK trees up to 2–3m apart. Choose closer spacing for smaller plants or for a quick-filling hedge. 18 S E P T E M B E R 2022 G A RDENING AUS TR A LI A

FLORAL SURROUNDS Surround yourself with spring flowers by growing a tunnel or arch. Set up an arch that extends out from a fence or across a paved area, such as a path or seating spot, creating a bold new planting space for a climbing rose, laburnum or clematis. Wisteria is very effective grown over an arch, as the flowers hang down where they can be admired from below. A flowering tunnel isn’t a ‘set and forget’ planting as it needs a little work. Climbing plants need to be trained onto the support by tying or twisting stems. Vigorous growth that can’t be trained onto the structure needs to be pruned away. Make the task easier by allowing yourself plenty of space so there’s access to all sides. c re Protect newly planted seedlings from snails and slugs, which can decimate young seedlings overnight. Do regular snail hunts (especially on cool, wet evenings) and use environmentally friendly, iron-based pellets to keep pest numbers down. FAR LEFT TO RIGHT Syzygium australe makes a great hedge; hedges of lillypilly offer both privacy and edible fruit; enjoy spring flowers from all angles with a beautiful arch of climbing roses; clematis is another flowering climber great for a fence, tunnel or arch. G A RD ENIN G AUS TR A L I A S E P T E M B E R 202 2 19

PLANTS COTTAGE CUTE & BEE FRIENDLY Plants that produce lots of flowers over they’re in flower. To enjoy an extended a long period are the basis for a cottage period of flowers, select early, mid and garden; they’re also amazing magnets for late season varieties of blossom trees. bees. While bees busy themselves in most flowering plants, bee-popular choices you As well as honeybees, expect to see can squeeze into even the smallest gardens lots of native pollinators, including small include dwarf lavender, alyssum (which bees and wasps. They’ll be very active grows easily from seed) and herbs such on warm, sunny spring days. as thyme and mint. c re Regularly inspect plants Other bee magnets include shrubby and remove damaged salvias and rosemary, while blossom flowers or leaves to trees, such as crabapple, plum, apple and reduce disease. Where pear, are usually buzzing with bees when hand control isn’t sufficient (such as protecting azaleas from petal blight), BELOW & RIGHT apply an organic registered fungicide, Planters of lavender, oregano, tarragon and following the directions on the pack. thyme attract lots of bees; (inset) a bee enjoys the salvia blooms; magnolia in full flower. HELLO BLOSSOM! If you plant a blossom tree, you’ll be able to enjoy it each spring as it bursts into flower. Spring-flowering magnolias, such as Magnolia x soulangeana, are breathtaking in bloom in early spring, and available either bare-rooted in winter or as potted plants at other times of the year. While many magnolias have a reputation for being slow to flower – some waiting 10 years before they bloom – more recent varieties such as ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Vulcan’ can provide flowers while the plants are still young.

30 breathtaking days of flowers, flavours and sounds. Over 1,100 hectares of public and private gardens to explore. Dig up all the details at www.tcof.com.au c re If possums are a problem as they PHOTOS LUKE SIMON, GAP PHOTOS, GAP PHOTOS/ANNIE GREEN-ARMYTAGE s eat new growth, position a magnolia or other blossom tree well away from other trees, and protect the trunk to reduce access from the ground. Regularly check leaves for signs of damage from caterpillars. Catch and squash the pests, but leave the caterpillars that develop into native butterflies or moths. Sacrificing a few leaves is worth being able to enjoy them flitting around the garden later in the year.

PLANTS INSIDE STORY prolong the spring show While it seems that all the action of spring A little regular care and maintenance keeps is outside, there’s plants blooming for longer. Sudden bursts plenty going on of hot weather, often accompanied by hot, indoors as gusty winds, are common in spring. well. Select some new Give the garden – including the lawn – a potted indoor spring feed with an all-purpose fertiliser, such plant varieties to as pelletised chicken manure or blood and give your home a lift. bone, or select a specially blended plant food Many flowering potted for plants such as roses, orchids or citrus. plants, including flowering succulents (left), orchids, Make sure new plantings are well watered, and hellebores (right), especially on hot days, and particularly any can be enjoyed indoors plants in containers such as hanging baskets. for several weeks before they need to go back Keep moisture around the roots, and weeds outside into more light. at bay, with a layer of organic mulch. c re Move indoor plants As flowers come to an end, deadhead them, closer to windows then feed and water to encourage new growth as nights get warmer. and another round of flowering. GA PHOTOS GAP PHOTOS/FRIEDRICH STRAUSS, ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK 22 S E P T E M B E R 2022 G A RDENING AUS TR A LI A



FABULOUS FOLIAGE rex pe l As more indoor plant lovers seek out interesting gems, it’s no surprise that magnificent rex begonias are stepping into the spotlight, writes STEVE FALCIONI

PLANTS PHOTOS THE GARDEN COLLECTION, THE FLOWERLAND One of the exciting things about OPPOSITE & ABOVE at a glance collecting indoor plants is the Impatiens, petunias and beautiful rex begonia array of beautiful foliage textures foliage make a brilliant potted display; cultivar common name on offer. And one plant drawing ‘Kotobuki’ has iridescent pink and purple leaves. rex begonia plenty of admirers is the magnificent rex botanic name begonia, known for its extraordinary variety if given a bright position, out of direct Begonia rex and its hybrids of leaf shapes, colours and textures. sun, with good air circulation. In warmer (the Rex Cultorum Group) climates, they can be grown outside in plant type The beautiful rex begonia leaves can bright shade, provided the temperature evergreen rhizomatous be any combination of red, pink, purple, doesn’t drop below 15°C. perennial green, white and silver, often with bands or splotches. Many have an iridescent Plant into pots of premium potting mix 30–40cm shine that sparkles in the light and adds to with a little added perlite, or use an African 30–50cm the attraction. Leaves can be wrinkled or violet potting mix. They’re shallow rooted, bright shade relatively smooth, and some have coloured so pots don’t need to be especially deep. year round hairs extending down the stem. The leaf spring edges range from almost smooth to heavily Failure with rex begonias is often due indented, with some spiralling into their to overwatering, so allow the top couple suitable centres. They produce small, mostly pink of centimetres to dry out between drinks. flowers, which are outdone by the foliage. Reduce watering during winter, when it’s cooler and plants are less active. Rex begonias originate from a single species, Begonia rex, found in northern To encourage growth, and even more India and featuring green and silver leaves. beautiful leaves, liquid-fertilise every It needs cool conditions with high humidity, 2–3 weeks during the warmer times of so it’s a bit too fussy for most people, and is rarely sold commercially. Thankfully, B. rex readily hybridises with other closely related begonias, so what you see in nurseries are spectacular hybrids (the Rex Cultorum Group of begonias), which are much more adaptable to different growing conditions. If you like red foliage, then look for ‘Red Robin’ and ‘Ruby Slipper’, both striking varieties with iridescent leaves. ‘Kotobuki’ has metallic purple and pink leaves with a dark centre. Varieties with spiralling leaves include the green and silver ‘Escargot’, and ‘Curly Peppermint’ with silver and purple swirls. For spots and splotches, ‘St Nick’ has pink and silver markings, and ‘Freckles’ is covered with white spots. ‘Gryphon’ is also worth a mention, with its green, maple-like leaves with silver variegation. care & maintenance Most rex begonias are slow-growing rhizomes that creep across the surface of the pot. They make excellent indoor plants G ARDENING AUS TR ALIA S E P T E M B E R 2022 25

PLANTS the year. Plants that outgrow their pots STEP BY STEP 1 can also be re-potted during the warmer 2 months, but remember not to bury the TAKE LEAF CUTTINGS rhizomes or they may rot away. Rex begonias are easy to propagate Rex begonias like humidity but will grow from leaf cuttings. Here’s one way. happily in most homes without any special treatment. If, however, you live somewhere 1 REMOVE a healthy leaf and use with arid summers, or you regularly heat or sharp scissors to cut the leaf into cool your house, then humidity levels may sections, ensuring that each section be too low. If that’s the case, sit the plant includes some main veins. on a saucer filled with pebbles and water. 2 USE a dibbler to create holes in a pot of moistened growing media, Watch out for sap suckers, such as and insert the cut edge of each leaf mites and mealy bugs, and treat them section into the pot. organically with neem oil. If powdery 3 LABEL the cuttings and cover the mildew appears, remove infected leaves pot with a plastic bag to boost humidity. and treat the plant with a fungicide such Place in a warm position out of direct as wettable sulfur. Improve air circulation, sunlight, checking it often to ensure it and avoid wetting leaves when watering. remains moist. Water when dry. When A browning of leaf edges indicates the new leaves grow, carefully remove the humidity is too low. young plants, pot into a premium potting mix, water in and place in a shaded spot. propagation Rex begonias can be propagated during the warmer months, either by seed, or leaf and rhizome cuttings. Leaf cuttings can be propagated in a couple of ways. One way is to remove a leaf with 2–3cm of stem attached. Trim the leaf to 3–4cm and insert into horticultural sand (or a 50:50 mix of perlite and coir peat), burying the stem right up to the leaf base. The other option is to remove a leaf without any stem, and cut it in half or sections, slicing through the main veins. Insert the cut section upright, 1cm deep into the sand. Cover the cuttings with a clear plastic bag to boost the humidity, and you’ll see new plants develop in a few weeks. (For more detailed instructions, see step-by-step, right.) With rhizomes, take 5cm-long cuttings from the growing end, and remove all the leaves except one. Partially bury it in the sand (or the same perlite and coir peat mix), and again cover with plastic. For seeds, fill a tray with the perlite and coir mix. Water thoroughly. Once drained, sprinkle the seed over the surface. Do not cover with additional mix, as the seeds need light to germinate. Cover with a plastic bag. Seedlings will emerge in 2–4 weeks. GA 26 S E P T E M B E R 202 2 G A R D EN IN G AU S T R A L I A

this Spring’s Main Attraction NEW for 2022 hybrids have magnificent and varied foliage, Petunia Circus Sky a real show PHOTOS GAP PHOTOS/VISIONS, ALAMY, LISA DAY/ROOT’D PLANTS, 3 COURTESY OF FLOWER POWER GARDEN CENTRES, GAP GARDENS The gently semi trailing habit of Petunia Circus Sky produces masses of flowers from spring to early autumn. It has excellent weather tolerance making it ideal in hanging baskets, containers or garden beds. Petunia Circus Sky is a NEW release that will be available in all good garden centres from spring this year. Height: 30cm Width: 80cm 20cents of every label sale goes to the NBCF

quiet achiever Attractive as a tree, shrub or hedging plant, Chilean myrtle is an adaptable asset in the garden, writes HELEN YOUNG Chilean myrtle is one of those mentholated, depending on the plant. The PHOTOS GAP PHOTOS/JONATHAN BUCKLEY, RAPHAELLA FEARNS, ALAMY, WARNERS multifaceted plants that deserves tree’s inner bark foams like soap, hence to be more widely known and the common name of soapbark tree. used. Also known as cinnamon myrtle and soapbark tree, Luma apiculata This is an undemanding plant that is a wonderfully versatile evergreen shrub tolerates most soils from sandy to clay, or small tree with attractive foliage, bark, as long as the soil is well drained. It’s fairly flowers, fragrance and edible fruit. free of pests and diseases, and its aromatic leaves mean that browsing animals such The small, leathery, dark green leaves as deer, wallabies and possums tend to are aromatic and release a sweet, spicy leave it alone. It takes sun or semi-shade, aroma when crushed. Fast growing and coastal exposure, and is drought and frost dense, it makes an excellent hedge when tolerant once established. clipped regularly. Left to grow as a tree, it can develop multiple sinuous trunks with hedging your bets cinnamon-coloured bark that flakes to reveal smooth, creamy patches beneath. Chilean myrtle is a more interesting choice In its native Chile and Argentina, where it for a small, formal hedge than box (Buxus) grows near water in temperate rainforests, and is a great alternative for a medium the multi-trunked trees can reach 15m tall, hedge instead of small-leafed lillypilly or and some are thought to be 650 years old. pittosporum. When growing it as a hedge, In gardens here, it’s usually much smaller start tip-pruning as soon as it’s planted to at around 5m tall and 3m wide. develop a bushy and dense form. Tip-prune any time there are no buds, flowers or From summer into autumn, Chilean fruit, and prune hard if needed, as Chilean myrtle bears a profusion of fragrant, white, myrtles will reshoot from bare wood. waxy flowers with fluffy stamens, typical of the Myrtaceae family, of which it’s a Chilean myrtle is suitable for growing member. (Many of our native plants are in containers and it’s a good subject for in this family, such as eucalypts, lillypillies pruning into topiary shapes. Topiary cloud and tea-trees.) The plants are self-fertile pruning is a wonderful way to use the and the flowers are pollinated by bees, plant, as this style reveals its attractive resulting in deep purple-black berries branches. It’s also used for bonsai. The about the size of peas. If the birds don’t colourful bark and sculptural form of get them first, you can make an aromatic its trunk, coupled with its flowers and jam or sauce with them or try them fresh foliage, make it ideal as a feature or from the tree. The flavour varies from specimen tree for small gardens and sweet and succulent to bland or even courtyards. In larger gardens, a group of them would make a lovely woodland. GA 28 S E P T E M B E R 2022 G ARDENING AUS TR ALIA

PLANTS at a glance CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN Decorative bark is a lovely feature of this tree; cook common name the berries or eat them fresh; white flowers appear Chilean myrtle from summer to autumn; it’s perfect for cloud topiary. botanic name Luma apiculata GARDENING AUSTRALIA S E P T E M B E R 2022 29 plant type shrub to small tree 5–7m 3–5m sun, semi-shade spring or autumn summer to autumn suitable

born to be re-wilded Working alongside conservation volunteers, a Sydney garden designer is reaping the rewards of regenerative gardening: connecting with the land and creating a nurturing environment for wildlife and humans alike, writes COSTA GEORGIADIS There are many people around achieve success, the more I learn. Our ABOVE & OPPOSITE PHOTOS NICHOLAS WATT, RICHARD UNSWORTH the country who are working to continent has been beautifully managed Costa with (back, left to right) bushcare protect, conserve, regenerate and for thousands of years. Indigenous land volunteer Rouge Hoffman and garden owner re-wild our incredible landscapes. management practices and stories are Richard Unsworth, and ( front, left to right) They carry out this work in grassroots, based on generations of observation, volunteers Lesley Stevens and Suzy iessen, volunteer-based groups dedicated to and the opportunity we have today exists and bushcare coordinator Paul Webb; supporting nature and repairing damage if and when we recognise this Indigenous Richard Unsworth’s waterfront bush garden. to the environment – damage that’s been science alongside Western science. done in a relatively short period of time. Scotland Island on Pittwater, an hour north Recently, when I filmed a story with of Sydney’s CBD. It’s only accessible via  Through my work as ambassador Gardening Australia featuring garden ferry from Church Point, making the trip for Junior Landcare and the Australian designer Richard Unsworth’s unique across the water feel like a real journey. Association for Environmental Education, Sydney property, I got to see first hand I see the love and care with which these those key foundational details that bring Richard became co-owner of this community volunteers step up, step out success when caring for Country. special property about eight years ago, and dig in for our natural world. but had been visiting it for a couple of new ways of seeing decades before that, as it was owned The thing that captures my heart when by the mother of a good friend. By the I meet these groups is that the strategy Richard’s home, Trincomalee, is nestled on time he became custodian, the land had is built upon patience. The more they the waterfront of Lovett Bay, overlooking become overrun with weeds and was in need of some serious garden love. 30 S E P T E M B E R 202 2 G A R D ENIN G AUS TR A L I A

GARDEN See more on Friday, August 26 at 7.30pm on ABC TV

Running parallel with this story is the PHOTOS NICHOLAS WATT narrative of the adjoining block, which is a nature corridor being managed by local volunteers, the Rocky Point Bushcare group. When this small but dedicated crew first confronted this block, it was totally infested with all the top invasive weeds of the Sydney region: asparagus fern, fishbone fern, blackberry, tradescantia and African olive. Slowly but surely, they began the task of removing the weeds with minimal disturbance and maximum vigilance. Soon after Richard moved to his new property, he became involved with the bushcarers and witnessed the wonderful camaraderie among the group, seeing the bonds and friendships that went deeper than the soil seed bank. He learnt that the morning tea shared at each get-together was as important as the actual clearing and maintenance work taking place. This special experience with the group and the work they were doing began to shift Richard’s perspective. While he ran his design and retail business, Garden Life, during the week, his connection to Country through the bush regeneration work on the weekends was changing his outlook. He developed a deeper appreciation of the natural bushland ecosystem and its perfectly imperfect beauty. “My journey in this garden has been about removing weeds and waiting – waiting to see what would emerge once I’d removed the unhelpful plants,” says Richard. “I was desperate to plant, plant, plant… but I learnt to wait and see what nature would do.” THIS PAGE & OPPOSITE Richard’s property is ringed by spotted gums (Corymbia maculata) and a range of native grasses, many of which he has incorporated into his garden.

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Through gardening at Trincomalee and PHOTOS NICHOLAS WATT the bush corridor, Richard has developed a new-found love and understanding for regenerative and naturalistic gardening. His more refined and stylistic garden ways have been transformed by nature and her ways. He now appreciates and incorporates local native plant species into his urban garden designs. He has even launched a new design practice focused on naturalistic garden design. working with nature There are lots of wonderful bushcare groups around the country, such as Bush Heritage Australia, Landcare Australia, Remember The Wild, Australian Association of Bush Regenerators, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Treeforce, Conservation Volunteers Australia... and many more. The amazing thing about becoming a bushcarer is that you start to see and appreciate the pace and composition of landscapes in a very different way. But, most importantly, you begin to realise that the key ingredients in this process are patience and consistency. The best intentions in the world will be undone by the gung-ho approach of someone wanting to get the job done quickly. It’s important to remember that the damage to these landscapes has been done over a couple of hundred years, and the repair process requires strategy, vision, careful discipline and a camaraderie that clocks up the hours with happiness as well as steely determination. And this is CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT A very old Canary Island date palm stands by the water; flowering Salvia ‘Velour White’ contrasts with a spiky Agave desmettiana and round-leafed Coleus australis; a birdbath with landing sticks for the birds; gathering seed of kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra); Richard planting a wattle tree.

GARDEN Garden designer Richard Unsworth says he has learnt to garden “on a different level” since working alongside the bushcare group. Here’s why: The lines between ‘bush’ and ‘garden’ are blurred at Trincomalee. Is that all part of the plan? Yes, very much. It’s certainly not a native garden, but I want the boundaries to be seamless and part of the landscape. What do you enjoy most about working alongside the bushcare group? Oh, it’s like being wrapped in a warm blanket. A celebration of community and lasting friendship. What are the lessons you have learnt? To always try to be patient, to wait and see, to consider, to pause. To celebrate imperfection and things being chaotic and unruly. I’ve been learning to undo being a ‘tidy gardener’. The rewards of regenerative gardening? So many things. Seeing small moths respond to tiny grass flowers, and seeing the native seedbank germinate where it was once a mass of weeds. And understanding how plants grow in community. How has this experience shifted your thinking? It has opened my eyes to the natural, to the imperfect, to simplicity and to focusing on the bigger picture of allowing the garden to seamlessly expand into the landscape. I’m excited to be working now with a more indigenous plant palette – and to continue to be experimental. Your relationship to this garden? The garden is one of my dearest friends. It’s where I find solace, peace and comfort – it’s the link between the house and the bush. G ARDENING AUS TR ALIA S E P T E M B E R 2022 35

GARDEN exactly what the volunteers have applied during their time on this landscape. The most moving aspect of meeting the volunteers at this Pittwater site was their disbelief at their achievement: as they embarked on the task of reining in such an invaded piece of land, they never thought they would ever see it free of asparagus and fishbone ferns. But the place is now thriving, and there are very few signs of the weeds that had taken over. Local wildlife has returned. Wallabies, antechinus and pygmy possums are all repopulating the space. Groundcovers of wallaby grass, kangaroo grass and blady grass now cover the sloping ground. The endemic spotted gum trees are thriving, and are home to a whole new array of birds by day and owls by night. GA RIGHT & INSET Bushcare volunteers search the native grasses for pesky weeds; Costa experiences firsthand the camaraderie (and delicious morning tea!) enjoyed by the bushcarers. PEOPLE POWER Because we can all make over morning tea. Or perhaps it’s PHOTOS COSTA GEORGIADIS a difference. People all just the sheer beauty and therapy The restoration of the nature reserve over the country are of a regular dose of vitamin nature. adjoining Richard’s property is testament making a difference, not to ‘build it and they will come’ or, in this only to plant life, but also Either way, caring for Country is case, ‘rebuild it and they will return’. Slow to wildlife and their own nothing new. It is, however, an invitation and steady wins this process. A patient, lives, courtesy of the to continue what has been a piece of consistent approach has delivered real horticultural therapy of every generation’s obligation and duty success for this wonderful group. being in the bush. This for thousands of years. It’s a connection story is real. The results to who we are and where we are from. How long has it taken to restore this are there to be seen patch of land, you ask? Twenty years. and the principles can You might think that’s a long time, but be applied to any piece of 20 years of repair time out of 240 years bushland, anywhere in the country. of disturbance to this valuable land is actually a small investment. And you never know which part of the story will rattle your cage and provide Incredibly, this has been achieved by some unexpected spontaneity and a group of people – between six and rebirth, as it did for Richard. It could 15 of them – turning up and doing two be the plants and the horticulture, it hours of volunteering once a month on could be the wildlife and the ecological a Sunday. Just two hours a month! And investment, or maybe it’s the friendships they have brought the bushland and its and the exchange of baking and recipes food chain ecology back to life. When the volunteers told me this, we all actually shed a tear. Why? 36 S E P T E M B E R 202 2 G A RD ENIN G AUS TR A L I A

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PLANT PASSIONS urban jungle These avid indoor plant collectors have transformed their entire home into a dedicated plant growing and breeding facility. And this is just the beginning... words TAMMY HUYNH photography BRENT WILSON See more on From the outside, this California for growing their private collection and Friday, August 19 bungalow in Sydney’s south looks the ‘mother plants’ they use for breeding. like every other house on the Extra-large specimens have been relegated at 7.30pm street. Quaint, but unassuming. to the outside, where they grow under on ABC TV Inside, it’s a different story. The owners, a sheltered area along the back of the Alicia Qian and Nige Rannard, are indoor house. Two glasshouses hold more of their plant enthusiasts who have taken their collection, as well as their new hybrids. hobby to new heights and transformed it into a flourishing horticultural business. perfect match They breed and sell small-batch rare velvet anthurium and philodendron Nige and Alicia met in 2018 on Instagram, hybrids, as well as rare established bonding over their love of plants – aroids plants grown from seeds or cuttings. such as philodendrons and monsteras in particular. But their love of plants began So all-consuming is their passion that well before they met. they’ve converted their four-bedroom home into a plant breeding and growing facility. In 2017, a traumatic foot injury caused Their dining-room-turned-workspace Alicia to be housebound for 18 months, houses two hydroponic systems, both and it was during this difficult time that built by Nige. In their ‘living room’ sits a she discovered the joy of nurturing indoor grow tent complete with lights, humidifier plants. Despite her background in yoga and flood and drain hydroponic system. and guided meditation, she found it It’s completely automated and optimised difficult to be still, especially living with the uncertainty of an injury. “Plants fill LEFT you with hope and teach you that waiting Alicia and Nige with some of their collection: can be productive,” she says. She also Anthurium crystallinum, A. veitchii, Monstera discovered mail-order plants, which enabled standleyana and Philodendron callosum. her to grow her collection exponentially G A R D EN IN G AU S T R A L I A S E P T E M B E R 202 2 39

PLANT PASSIONS

GROWING VELVET ANTHURIUMS Anthurium crystallinum, A. clarinervium and most of the hybrids Alicia and Nige grow are forms of velvet anthurium. These are not your average, run-of-the-mill anthuriums you’ll find at your local nursery. These forms have rounded or elongated heart-shaped leaves with a wonderful velvet sheen. They need bright, indirect light, and humidity above 75%. Their optimal temperature is around 20–30°C and should not be above or below this range. Grow them in a well-drained aroid mix made up of equal parts orchid bark, perlite and coco chips, and a small amount of premium potting mix. Water well when the mix is nearly dry. without leaving her home. To document Fungus gnats may have been the CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE her growing journey, Alicia started an motivation, but the results were what Alicia potting up a hybrid anthurium (batch Instagram account, where she connected piqued Nige’s interest. “Plants grew better ID #AnthuriumJupiterStorm) in their hybrid with other plant enthusiasts. “There’s and faster.” He continued experimenting dining-room-turned-workspace; Anthurium a great plant community on Instagram with hydroponics, building different systems crystallinum along with other seedlings in – they’re very supportive and share their and optimising environmental conditions to the main hydroponic grow tent; some newly experiences, too,” she says. maximise growth. His background in germinated seedlings in a mini-greenhouse. fabrication, fit-outs, design and installation, Nige always had a keen interest in particularly in the museum sector, enabled project into a hobby business, and wanted plants. “My grandma’s house plant books him to design hydroponic systems suited some room to play and experiment with had my childhood scribbles all over them,” to his limited space. “I’ve always worked different growing methods. he says. His collection of house plants with different materials to creatively solve waxed and waned over the years, but his problems,” he says. “It makes building Alicia was sceptical of hydroponics at the obsession became real again a few years hydroponic systems look easy.” start. “To me, it was scary, like growing ago when he transitioned to hydroponic ‘Franken-plants’, and completely unnatural,” growing, as fungus gnats had become When Nige and Alicia decided to live she says. But once she saw that Nige a problem. “They breed prolifically in together, they needed to find a place to was achieving quality results, and how potting mix, and they were becoming house their combined plant collection. hydroponics could deliver plants’ needs with an issue,” he says. Nige was also keen to turn his passion greater precision, she changed her tune. G A R D E N I N G AU S T R A L I A S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2 41



PLANT PASSIONS FROM FAR LEFT Larger plants such as Philodendron mayoi, P. ‘Glorious’, P. billietiae, P. ‘Dean McDowell’ and Monstera deliciosa ‘Aurea’ live outdoors; this glasshouse holds hybrid seedlings until they’re ready for sale; plants in a flood and drain hydroponics system. breeding success There is an art and process to plant STARTING IN breeding, which Alicia meticulously HYDROPONICS Having studied science, Alicia was researches and documents to ensure naturally curious about cross-pollinating the information is preserved and shared. There are many different forms of plants. “I dreamt about combining the She’s also open to experimenting, hydroponics. Nige predominantly best traits of different species,” says especially with ideas that plant experts uses a ‘flood and drain’ system, Alicia. “It was another avenue to explore, claim ‘can’t be done’. There have been a which essentially is made up of and I loved the challenge.” She dabbled few failures, but a lot of successes, too. a grow tray and a reservoir. The with cross-pollination for a bit, but it was nutrient solution sits in the reservoir Nige’s systematic approach to growing “Our combined specialties allow us to and is periodically pumped into the plants that created the right environment produce quality stock for our customers,” grow tray (where the plants are), for Alicia to be more methodical about says Nige. Their hybrids are produced in flooding and soaking the plants’ her breeding work. small batches, allowing them to maintain roots. An overflow tube helps to a high-quality standard. “With hybrids, maintain the liquid level. The nutrient Nige’s hydroponic set-up optimises genes may not be expressed until plants solution circulates for a set amount conditions, allowing plants to grow better are well established, so we care for and of time and, once finished, drains than they do in their native environments. nurture plants until that time, to ensure back into the reservoir. Consequently, all the plant parts, including the quality of the genetics,” says Alicia. their reproductive organs, are of superior If you’re keen to give hydroponics quality. Nige maintains that by working Their hybrids are given fun names, such a go, track down a local supply store. with high-quality materials, you produce as ‘Hungry Uncle’, ‘Raven Queen’ or ‘Peach They’re a one-stop shop for seeing high-quality hybrids. Menace’. To help track the progress of their hydroponics in action, quizzing the experts and finding out what you need to set up your first system. creations, Nige and Alicia created batch ID hashtags. “Our customers are mostly online so using IDs like #AnthuriumHungryUncle allows them to share their results with us and other collectors,” says Alicia. “This crowd-sourced data generates a real sense of community, and it allows us to track G A R D EN I N G AU S T R A L I A S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2 43

PLANT PASSIONS how our hybrids are growing in different environments.” Community is at the heart of what they do. “We want to foster a safe, virtual environment where plant lovers can discuss, marvel and learn together.” While it’s early days, they have their sights set on expanding. “We want to grow our operation beyond its current location, so we can better focus on producing high-quality small-batch hybrids,” says Nige. They also plan to expand into research, development and education. “We’ve learnt a lot through trial and error,” says Alicia. “So it would be great to create a knowledge source people can draw on if they’re considering hydroponics or creating hybrids.” Keen to get started? Turn to page 46 for Alicia’s step-by-step guide to help you pollinate and propagate anthuriums. Follow Alicia and Nige on Instagram @wild.about.plants, and follow Nige on Instagram @urb4n_gr33n CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE e main hydroponic grow tent houses a lush mix of Anthurium panamense, A. ‘Black Sensation’ and Monstera ‘Albo Variegata’; Philodendron ‘Burle Marx Variegata’; various tillandsias; aumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, M. ‘ ai Constellation’ and A. crystallinum.

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STEP-BY-STEP POLLINATE & PROPAGATE ANTHURIUMS 1 Follow these steps to pollinate your favourite anthurium species, or cross with another one to create your own hybrid, then use the seed to raise new plants. 1 FIND a spadix (floral spike) that’s 2 3 shedding pollen and use a soft artist’s 4 brush to sweep some onto a piece of place back into position if more time aluminium foil. If you’re not using the is needed for germination. pollen immediately, fold up the aluminium 10 USE tweezers to carefully pick out foil, seal it, place it in a ziplock bag and the seedlings for transplanting. If needed, pop it in the freezer. mist the paper towel thoroughly to make 2 LOOK for a receptive spadix – it will it easier to remove them. be glistening with small sticky wet 11 PLANT the seedlings into a plastic droplets that are being released by the container (no drainage holes) filled with female flowers. Using the same brush, a 50:50 mix of moistened coir peat and apply pollen evenly all over the spadix. perlite. Use a knitting needle or similar to 3 WAIT for berries to form. This may make deep planting holes. Carefully insert take anywhere from one to 18 months. each plant, ensuring the roots are covered. If pollination is not successful, the spadix 12 PLACE the container into a large plastic will shrivel and brown within weeks. storage container or mini-greenhouse and 4 PLACE a mesh bag over the ripening position in a warm, brightly lit spot, out of berries to collect them as they fall. They direct sunlight. Water or mist regularly to will fall at different times. Remove and keep the mix moist and maintain humidity. process them as they fall, rather than Once the seedlings become crowded, it’s waiting for them all to drop. time to transplant. 5 STERILISE a stainless steel tray with 13 PLANT established seedlings into surface spray and dry with a paper towel. individual pots filled with fine orchid bark, 6 LINE the tray with a paper towel and water well and position in a warm, bright carefully tip ripened berries onto the towel. spot indoors to grow on. GA Remove the fleshy skin to reveal the seed. Use tweezers and a steel loop (Alicia uses a blackhead extractor) to assist. Otherwise, you can use a gloved hand. 7 FILL a bowl with clean water and soak the seeds for 30 minutes. 8 REMOVE the seeds from the bowl and use tweezers to carefully remove the gel-like casing around each one. 9 PLACE seeds on a fresh paper towel and moisten with water. Fold the towel over the seeds, slip the package into a ziplock bag (to retain moisture), then label and place in a warm spot. Seeds should germinate in 7–14 days. Check them after one week, remove any rotting seeds, and 46 S E P T E M B E R 2022 G ARDENING AUS TR ALIA

PLANT PASSIONS 7 56 8 9 10 11 12 13 G A R D E N I N G AU S T R A L I A S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2 47

BACK TO BASICS special series ro ma af gmasrcdkreeantchR PART 6: GROW AND ADAPT YOUR GARDEN Your new garden is planted, so what’s next? Well, there’s the regular maintenance to attend to, but keep in mind that your garden may need tweaking along the way, writes SOPHIE THOMSON O nce your garden is planted, it’s However, as Heraclitus said, “The to do their jobs, the conditions around just a matter of caring for your only constant in life is change”, and that’s them change, and in some cases, the plants and maintaining them, definitely true in a garden. Never forget plants might need to as well. right? Well, to some degree, that gardens change as plants grow. It that’s true – to be successful, they need to seems a bit obvious really – it’s what we ROOM TO GROW be given the right amount of water, feed want to happen, isn’t it? We plant trees and maintenance. Then hopefully, if you’ve to create shade, and put in hedges and Some plants that need full sun get leggy, put ‘the right plant in the right place’, you windbreaks to reduce the prevailing winds. daggy and feeble as shade develops, so can leave them alone to do their thing. However, as these trees and hedges start while they might thrive next to a new tree for the first five years or so, after that, they might start to struggle. seeing the light PHOTOS GAP PHOTOS, LUKE SIMON I often warn people that plants near trees might need to be replaced with more shade-tolerant varieties once the trees grow – somewhere between five and 10 years in the future. So, my priority is always the long-term plantings of trees and hedges. The underplantings can be more flexible and changed when needed, but plants that aren’t thriving don’t need to be wasted. You might be able to dig them up and move them, or use them as mother plants for cuttings before you pull them out. LEFT & OPPOSITE Consider the plants you grow beneath new trees, and be prepared to remove them later; Sophie thins out euphorbia from under a tree. 48 S E P T E M B E R 2022 G ARDENING AUS TR ALIA

space invaders The other thing that’s always happening as gardens grow and develop is that plants get too big for their space and need to be pruned or divided. If we spaced plants far enough apart for their ultimate size in, say, 10 to 20 years, we’d have massive gaps between them. So usually, we plant them closer than their final size allows, and either prune to make everything fit or remove some of the plants. Trees are usually spaced so they have room to grow, but shrubs and underplantings might need a bit of management.

Garden tours around Australia CREDITS: Everglades Historic House and Garden. Photo courtesy of National Trust (NSW); Sophie’s Patch © Sophie Thomson; Millthorpe. Photo courtesy of Regional Lifestyle Magazine photographer Robert Bruce SPRING GARDENS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS HILLS AND VALES OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA Leura, Mount Wilson, Little Hartley and Oberon Gardens, Art, History and Wine with Genevieve Jacobs | 03 – 09 October 2022 (7 days) with Julie Kinney | 07 – 14 October 2022 (8 days) Wander through the dramatic landscapes of New South From the Barossa Valley to the Adelaide Hills and Wales’ Blue Mountains, discovering some of the finest McLaren Vale, explore the rich springtime offerings of South Australia’s gardens, art, produce and wine. private gardens in peak springtime bloom. GARDENS OF THE NSW GARDENS AND WILDFLOWERS CENTRAL WEST OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Orange, Bathurst, Cowra and Canowindra Forests, Flowers and Private Gardens of the South West with Elizabeth Swane | 24 – 30 October 2022 (7 days) with Julie Kinney | 26 Oct – 04 Nov 2022 (9 days) Explore the historic estates, private gardens and local Traverse an area that is home to some of nurseries of New South Wales’ Central West region and Western Australia’s finest private gardens, forests enjoy a profusion of gardens bursting with spring colour. and magnificent displays of wildflowers. For detailed information visit renaissancetours.com.au, call 1300 727 095 or contact your travel agent.