There are lots of plants starting to flower as spring comes into view. Gardening writer JACKIE WARBURTON takes a look at some of them.
Rhododendrons are beginning to flower. Although slow growing, once mature, they need little or no care and bloom for several months.
Their branches can turn into sculptural trunks and take on a small-tree shape that is beautiful in itself.
Most rhododendrons have strong, smaller branchlets that generally grow and branch from the tips, which if left unpruned, can become leggy.
Rhododendrons have dormant buds that are formed on the branches over summer that will shoot in spring if they’re scored just below the dormant bud.
Also known as notching, scoring is a pruning technique that encourages new growth on specific branches by slightly damaging the bark to stimulate bud development. This is done by making a small cut into the outer layer of the stem, without completely encircling it, to encourage new growth in a desired area.
Scoring encourages the buds to shoot new branches and the leggy growth can be pruned off to give a compact floriferous shrub the following year.
They have shallow roots and need mulch around the base and dripline of the tree. They prefer an acidic soil, so plant them near camellias and azaleas.
Yakushimanum hybrids are thrip resistant, have compact growth and grow to a lovely mound to about a metre tall. They’re also terrific for pots or small gardens.
The foliage is a little different and more slender than its counterpart. A hybrid, it tolerates more sun and would do well as an evergreen shrub on a balcony or courtyard.
FLOWERING now in the native garden is Isopogon cuneatus, a hardy, upright small shrub that blends into the landscape.
Although endemic to WA, it grows well in Canberra. Its soft pinkish/purple flowers are most unusual and can give the native garden some colour in winter.
They are of the Proteaceae family, so ensure when fertilising (and natives in general) to use only native fertiliser.
Our clay soils make it a little tricky to grow many natives that are not from our region, but sourcing plants that are grafted on to root stock more suited to our soils will help widen the choice.
Mulching the native garden helps keep weeds down and moisture in the soil. Any organic bark will do the job.
THE must haves of all herb gardens is to add mosquito and fly-repellent plants such as sage, rosemary, cat mint, lemongrass and lavender.
Mix as many of these plants into entertaining space as possible and use sandalwood or lemon eucalyptus as they are the most disliked scents for mosquitoes. Using body oils or products with these ingredients outdoors will also help to keep mosquitoes away.
Mosquitoes will reproduce in any source of water or ponds that don’t have movement or waterflow.
Keep water dishes cleaned out weekly. An outdoor fan will help, too.
Mosquitoes are attracted to white bulb lights, so switch to yellow lighting to reduce other pests such as moths as well. Spray garden beds with neem oil if there is a persistent problem.
INDIGOFERA australis is coming into flower now and contrasts well with wattle, that is flowering too.
Both are from the legume family and can be beneficial for adding nitrogen into the soil to help other plants after them grow. Given the right conditions, they can self-seed and be replanted.
Jottings
- Bring a sprig of daphne inside the house for fragrance.
- Use lime sulphur for “blueing” hydrangeas.
- Water indoor plants only with tepid water.
- Fertilise bulbs with pelletised organic fertiliser.
- Keep dishes of water clean for wildlife as the weather begins to warm and the bees arrive.
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