Silk tassel bush is a tough, low-maintenance evergreen that rewards Canberra gardens with striking winter catkins, says gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.

There is one evergreen shrub grown in Canberra that I believe should be used more often. 

Whether as a hedge or espaliered against a wall, it is the winter catkins, flowering in the depths of winter, that give this plant its wow factor.

Commonly known as the silk tassel bush (Garrya elliptica), it is a tough shrub once established and belongs to the olive family.

Growing up to three metres tall, it needs little more than a clip after flowering and is otherwise a no-fuss plant. It is rarely troubled by pests or diseases and, when planted in a sheltered position, can be long lived.

It is adaptable to most soils but, because of its longevity, benefits from good organic soil with excellent drainage. Supplementary watering through summer will help it cope with the heat.

Garrya elliptica is dioecious, meaning there are male and female plants. Planting a male cultivar such as James Roof will produce much longer catkins than the female plants and generally forms a better, more compact shrub.

For a low-maintenance hedge, space plants 1.2 metres apart, mulch well and water consistently to encourage even growth.

WINTER garden jobs continue with hand-pulling chickweed, winter grass and sticky weed. These bright green annual weeds grow, flower and set seed within one year. Removing them before they flower will save years of future weeding.

If the weeds have not yet flowered, they can be composted or steeped in a drum of water inside a breathable bag until they dissolve over several weeks to make a weed tea. Dilute one part tea to 10 parts water before using it as a foliar feed on all plants. A well-balanced weed tea should not smell. In the cooler months it will take longer to brew.

Manures can also be steeped using the same method, making them useful where weed seeds are present. Once the material is no longer recognisable, add it to the compost, use the liquid in the garden, then start another fresh bucket.

The more often a compost pile is turned, the faster it breaks down. A little aeration with a garden fork and a few litres of water will speed decomposition. The higher the pile, the hotter it becomes, helping it break down more quickly so it is ready for use in the garden by the end of winter.

A SPECIES I am slowly coming to appreciate more is hebe. They are small evergreen shrubs from NZ that now come in many flower colours and have proved to be tough plants.

Hebes were very popular during the drought years. For some 60 years Canberra has tried unsuccessfully to grow them in front of the War Memorial, but in suburban gardens, where their roots have adequate moisture, they can be long lived.

They benefit from a light clip after flowering and naturally form a compact, rounded shape. They generally flower throughout the year except during the hottest months. Flowers are borne on the tips of the growth, while the foliage is attractive in its own right.

The main flower colours are blue, white and pink. An old favourite, Pretty n Pink, has lovely purple-green foliage.

Some hebes also have variegated leaves, making them excellent additions beside pathways or in garden corners. They grow well in pots and, under the right conditions, can flower for many months.

Hebes prefer alkaline soils, so keep them away from camellias, azaleas and other acid-loving plants. Sprinkle a little dolomite lime around them and water it in.

Jottings 

• Maintenance- sharpen tools, replace mower blades.
• Do not prune roses until August.
• Buy grevilleas while they are in flower. 

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

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