Not all plants of the same species have the same growth characteristics and knowing plant names before planting them will help prevent the wrong one becoming an unwelcome escapee into the bushland, says gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.
Feverfew is a tough, little cottage plant that flowers now and sporadically throughout the year.
Tanacetum parthenium is a small, upright plant that has many medicinal properties and can be mistaken for a camomile with its similar flowers.
Feverfew is from the Asteraceae and daisy family with its cheery flowers and fern-like foliage. It can be hard to propagate, but as a short-lived perennial, it grows happy where it self-seeds.
It can be used in country gardens and its strong aroma can help keep rats and rabbits at bay.
Another Tanacetum herb common to us that has been growing altogether too well is Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), a listed weed Canberra and the Southern Tablelands.
With old-fashioned, yellow button flowers and pungent fern-like foliage, it can take control of native bushland in no time.
But not all Tanacetums are bad. In fact the best of all is the Pyrethrum daisy (Tanacetum cinerariifolium), which is good for pollination for bees.
A NATIVE plant to try is Sturt’s desert pea (Swainsona formosa). Known as the floral emblem of South Australia, its flowers are striking, although a challenge to grow in our climate.
The Australian Botanic Gardens grow them quite successfully and can be seen in flower around about now. They are an annual or short-lived perennial and like arid conditions.
They can grow successfully in pots in Canberra using a native potting mix only and with no need for fertiliser whatsoever.
Its seed will need to be soaked overnight before sowing and covered with sand in an unglazed terracotta pot with lots of sharp sand mixed into native potting mix.
Water sparingly to prevent rot. Bottom watering can be more successful but overall, they’re very tricky to grow, but worth the challenge with the most amazing vibrant unusual flower.
THIS is a good time of the year to assess the garden and look for spaces for edimentals (a portmanteau combining “edible” and “ornamental”, ie plants that are visually appealing and edible).
With foliage and fruit benefits, they maximise the use of garden space.
All parts of the garden can be created into an edible living space with feijoas, figs and persimmons for shade trees, hedges of blueberries, rosemary or gooseberries and groundcovers of all the herbs we can grow.
This style of garden needs planning, a design schedule and a load of work. But once implemented, a thriving edimental garden is rewarding with loads of produce.
PUMPKINS will need to be brought indoors before any heavier frosts come and spoil the skins.
Remove pumpkins with the stalk still attached and store in a cool, dark place where it is dry and out of direct sunlight. Keep turning every few weeks to prevent rotting and eat, cook and freeze as much as possible as some varieties will keep longer than others.
Keeping the seed of a favourite pumpkin is possible, but may not always grow true to type. Choose Heirloom pumpkin varieties or F1 hybrids to ensure you get the right seed.
Jottings
- Plant broad beans directly into the soil.
- Plant native Erica darleyensis for winter colour.
- Prune hazelnuts after the crop has fallen.
- Divide rhubarb now and through winter.
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