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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

At this time of the year, I’m grateful for shrubs that flourish in the cold weather. Daphne is one of these and it thrives in the frost, too. Just as well, with all the frosts we are experiencing this year. There was already a Daphne in my front garden when I moved here and I’ve […]

We’ve had two consecutive heavy frosts at my place this week. They were thick and I could hear the crunch of frozen grass beneath my shoes as I quickly snapped some photos before scooting back inside. Frost, that thin layer of ice that forms on a solid surface, is a sure sign of a cold […]

Now the cold weather has arrived, my attention has turned to my flowering indoor plants. Their blooms can be admired without having to venture out in the chilly winds. What a bonus! I have a collection of African violets that bloom all year round if I remember to feed them regularly. The plants are easily […]

Isn’t it frustrating when you look forward to particular plants flowering and then the weather spoils the occasion? That’s what happened with my Japanese windflowers. I love to see the blooms of my windflowers sway in the breeze. I have several patches of them throughout the garden and, when they are out of season, the […]

There’s a crepe myrtle tree in my garden that was planted by the previous owner. It needed some love so, last year, I cut the branches back heavily to promote a better shape and encourage new growth. Now it is in full flower and looks splendid. I love crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia). They are the ultimate […]

On a walk around my neighbourhood, I notice there are spreading patches of clover throughout lawns and nature strips. I’m sure that they weren’t so widespread this time last year. Initially I thought this was a Bad Thing and not to be encouraged in my lawn but now I’m not so sure. Clover is an […]

Please reassure me that I’m not the only gardener who is excited when new plant catalogues arrive. The first of the spring catalogues arrived last month and they are bursting with temptations. Whether online or in print, the colourful photos always entice me to add more bulbs to my garden. I’ve been trying to decide […]