I check each day, watching the unfurling. Spring is taking a few tentative steps forward and the air, but not yet the earth, enjoys a few warm days. It’s been flung back to winter temperatures as a cold southerly change blows through and we have frosts again. The growing season is shorter here than in […]
Greenhouse fail
The westerly winds have been roaring around many parts of eastern Australia this week, causing damage and power blackouts as trees were ripped from the ground and snapped branches sent flying through the air. The winds are milder today (only 35 km/h gusts – great for drying my washing) but are expected to increase up […]
Spotted in my winter garden
After a couple of weeks of showers, frosts, and gale force winds blowing straight from Antartica (or feeling like it, at least), it was soothing to spend an hour in my garden this afternoon. I’d written an article for my garden club’s newsletter on one of the worst days. I bemoaned the lack of colour […]
Learning about bluebells
I’ve been researching bluebells this week, to use as background in a chapter of my book. I’ve found useful information but have been sidetracked by pictures of bluebell woods in England. Masses of these glorious flowers (Hyacinthoides non-scripta – the English bluebell) are in bloom there now and, although the photos are beautiful, I am […]
Orangery dreams
During the many years I’ve been reading about and making gardens, I’ve encountered tantalising ideas from different climates that have inspired dreams. An orangery – a greenhouse or glasshouse to protect and grow oranges during winter in a cool climate – is one of those. Other exotic plants can also benefit from this overwintering. I […]
Once upon a greenhouse
I spend a lot of time lusting over photos of gardens in full bloom. Who doesn’t? I particularly love gardens frothing with flowers that punctuate the green backdrops, with patches of colour inviting closer inspection. I’m drawn to photos of cottage-style gardens showing healthy plants, clean edges around garden beds, and not a single weed […]
Three favourite blue flowers
Blue + flowers = yes, please! It was a tough task, choosing so few, but here are my three favourite blue flowers. Bluebells With their elegant, arching stems and pretty bell-shaped flowers, bluebells are a welcome sight in my spring garden. They hold a special place in my heart and you can discover the reason […]
Growing epiphyllums
Picture this scene. I was at the Collectors’ Plant Fair at Hawkesbury Racecourse some years ago, admiring the variety of plants on display. I was drawn to the wall of dahlia flowers (of course) and started to ponder which ones to buy. It was overwhelming so I wandered away, planning to come back. Then I […]
The promise of cherries
It wasn’t until the second summer we moved house that I realised there was a fruiting cherry tree in the backyard. I’d watched the tree blossom and grow new leaves but assumed it was only an ornamental tree. It never occurred to me that there could be fruit. Only after I’d seen spots of red […]
Tulip time?
But not in my garden. Look at these spent tulips. They have fulfilled their purpose – grown healthy leaves, long stems and flowers. They are now in their wind-down phase and will store energy and then rest for next year’s blooming. It’s a job well done. Something went wrong with all the tulips in my […]