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Shrubs/Trees Abutilon Alamanda Ardisia (berries) Azaleas Bougainvilleas Brazilian Cloak Brugsmansia Buddleja Camellias Carphalea Kirondren Calodendrum capense Dahlia (tree) Dombeya burgessiae Dombeya Ianthotricha Eremophila Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia leucocephala Euphorbia pulcherrima Grevillea Hibiscus Holmskioldia Iboza riparia (nutmeg bush) Justicia ahatoda Justicia aurea Megakepasma Montanoa (Tree Daisy) Pentas Roses Ruellia colorata Ruttya fruticose Stachytarpheta Strelizias Strobilanthes Goldfussia Tabebuia Triplaris Tibouchina Xanthostemon |
Perennials Ajania Pacifica Amaranthus Angelonia Anthurium Asters Chrysanthemums Cleome Coleus Cuphea Dianthus Gerberas Heliotrope Kniphofia (Red hot pokers) Leonitis Nasturtiums Otacanthus Pachystachys Pelargoniums Pennisetum Grasses Pentas Plectranthus Salvia Involucrata Salvias Scutillaria Solidago Statice (perennial) Whitfeldia |
Orchids Bulbophyllum Cattleya Cymbidium spikes Dendrobium hardcane Phalaenopsis Vanda Zygopetalum Bromeliads Aechmea Guzmania Hohenbergia Orthophytum Tillandsia Vriesia Succulents Aloes Euphorbia millii Zygocactus Vines Clerodendrum speciosum Cobaea scandens Dalechampia Ipomoea Horsfalliae Maurandya Pyrostegia venusta Bulbs Gladioli (species) Haemanthus albiflos Hippeastrum reticulatum Tulbaghia |
EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA 'WINTER ROSE'
DOMBEYA IANTHOTRICA
KNIFOFIA 'WINTER CHEER'
WHAT IS FEATURING IN THE GARDEN IN JUNE:
June 2025
What a fabulous autumn we have had, with rain and the ground still very moist. The garden has never looked better at this time of year with so much in flower, with the Salvias, Justicias and Dombeyas as a wonderful backdrop. It is a good time to mulch after cutting back to keep the moisture in and give the soil a boost.
Cutting back the summer and autumn Salvias will be a big job as there has been so much growth. The autumn flowers are hanging on and the winter flowers are early so it has been a spectacular show this year and still is. Everything has grown twice its normal size and the garden comes out to meet me when I walk through.
AVOCADOS
The ideal climate for avocados is tropical and sub-tropical. Avocado trees grow best in full sun, away from strong winds. The bark of young trees can be affected by sunburn in summer, so consider putting a hessian sack around the trunk. Avocados are fairly tough trees, once established.
Hass and Shepard are the most popular varieties. Hass has rough skin and ripens to a black colour and fruits May to January. Shepard is green, stays green when ripe and has a smooth skin. It fruits February to April and is a little more elongated than Hass.
Avocado trees are self-fertile. This means that, technically, you only need one tree in order to produce fruit. The flowers on your avocado tree are able to pollinate each other. While that may be the case, planting a second avocado tree will really help to boost fruiting.
There are two groups of Avocado trees; Group A varieties have flowers that open as female in the morning, close, then reopen as male the following afternoon. Group B avocados have flowers that open as female in the afternoon, close, then reopen the next morning as male. Hass and Wurtz are Group A and Shepard and Fuerte are Group B.
Avocados grow best in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. A few weeks prior to planting, improve the soil by digging through a combination of well-aged manure and blood and bone. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball. Remove the plant from its pot, then tease out roots and position in the hole. Backfill, mulch, and water. Water regularly, but don’t overdo it as avocados hate having wet feet. Mulch around the base is also beneficial.
When trees are mature and producing fruit, feed with chook manure or compost during fruit set. Repeat in summer and early autumn.
Avocados mature on the tree, but don’t ripen until picked. You'll know when the avocados are ready to harvest by picking one and setting it aside indoors. If it ripens within 7-14 days and without shrivelling, it’s time to pick the rest. It is not essential to collect all the fruit at once - just don’t leave them hanging for too long, as this will affect the following year’s fruiting potential.
Pruning helps to keep the tree manageable and increases yield. Prune your avocado tree after all the fruit is picked but don’t prune more than 1/3 off.
Avocado trees are very easy to grow from seed. All you need is three toothpicks, one avocado and a glass of water. It is that simple. Remove the pit from the avocado and give it a good wash. Ensure the flat end of the seed is at the bottom and the pointier at the top. Pierce seed with three toothpicks and submerge the bottom in water. Change the water regularly within 2-4 weeks the roots should start to sprout. This is best done in spring.
The MEXICAN TREE DAISY (Montanoa bipinnatifida) adds drama with its huge white daisy blossoms. Although it is called a tree it only gets to about 2 -3 metres tall and a metre or so wide. It should be pruned back after flowering but don’t be in a hurry to cut them back as the lime green seeds which are produced straight after flowering are just as lovely as the flowers and stay on the plants for ages before turning black. This is the cue to cut them back by about two thirds. I have never had any of the seeds germinate in the garden. To propagate more of these beautiful shrubs, cut the thicker canes into 30cm lengths and place them into pots and keep moist. The rest of the cuttings can be put through the mulcher for compost.
ORCHIDS
Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Phalaenopsis, Hardcane Dendrobiums and Zygopetalums are all bursting with colour, perfume and emerging spikes to be enjoyed and anticipated. The Cymbidium spikes will need to be staked and it is best to put these in when you see the flower spike.
VEGETABLES
The Vegetables are growing well and will need to be well watered and kept mulched. Constant picking will also promote more produce, particularly with the beans, peas, broccoli, spinach and herbs. Garlic and onions are doing well and don't need much attention.
Good Gardening
Jan
What a fabulous autumn we have had, with rain and the ground still very moist. The garden has never looked better at this time of year with so much in flower, with the Salvias, Justicias and Dombeyas as a wonderful backdrop. It is a good time to mulch after cutting back to keep the moisture in and give the soil a boost.
Cutting back the summer and autumn Salvias will be a big job as there has been so much growth. The autumn flowers are hanging on and the winter flowers are early so it has been a spectacular show this year and still is. Everything has grown twice its normal size and the garden comes out to meet me when I walk through.
AVOCADOS
The ideal climate for avocados is tropical and sub-tropical. Avocado trees grow best in full sun, away from strong winds. The bark of young trees can be affected by sunburn in summer, so consider putting a hessian sack around the trunk. Avocados are fairly tough trees, once established.
Hass and Shepard are the most popular varieties. Hass has rough skin and ripens to a black colour and fruits May to January. Shepard is green, stays green when ripe and has a smooth skin. It fruits February to April and is a little more elongated than Hass.
Avocado trees are self-fertile. This means that, technically, you only need one tree in order to produce fruit. The flowers on your avocado tree are able to pollinate each other. While that may be the case, planting a second avocado tree will really help to boost fruiting.
There are two groups of Avocado trees; Group A varieties have flowers that open as female in the morning, close, then reopen as male the following afternoon. Group B avocados have flowers that open as female in the afternoon, close, then reopen the next morning as male. Hass and Wurtz are Group A and Shepard and Fuerte are Group B.
Avocados grow best in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. A few weeks prior to planting, improve the soil by digging through a combination of well-aged manure and blood and bone. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball. Remove the plant from its pot, then tease out roots and position in the hole. Backfill, mulch, and water. Water regularly, but don’t overdo it as avocados hate having wet feet. Mulch around the base is also beneficial.
When trees are mature and producing fruit, feed with chook manure or compost during fruit set. Repeat in summer and early autumn.
Avocados mature on the tree, but don’t ripen until picked. You'll know when the avocados are ready to harvest by picking one and setting it aside indoors. If it ripens within 7-14 days and without shrivelling, it’s time to pick the rest. It is not essential to collect all the fruit at once - just don’t leave them hanging for too long, as this will affect the following year’s fruiting potential.
Pruning helps to keep the tree manageable and increases yield. Prune your avocado tree after all the fruit is picked but don’t prune more than 1/3 off.
Avocado trees are very easy to grow from seed. All you need is three toothpicks, one avocado and a glass of water. It is that simple. Remove the pit from the avocado and give it a good wash. Ensure the flat end of the seed is at the bottom and the pointier at the top. Pierce seed with three toothpicks and submerge the bottom in water. Change the water regularly within 2-4 weeks the roots should start to sprout. This is best done in spring.
The MEXICAN TREE DAISY (Montanoa bipinnatifida) adds drama with its huge white daisy blossoms. Although it is called a tree it only gets to about 2 -3 metres tall and a metre or so wide. It should be pruned back after flowering but don’t be in a hurry to cut them back as the lime green seeds which are produced straight after flowering are just as lovely as the flowers and stay on the plants for ages before turning black. This is the cue to cut them back by about two thirds. I have never had any of the seeds germinate in the garden. To propagate more of these beautiful shrubs, cut the thicker canes into 30cm lengths and place them into pots and keep moist. The rest of the cuttings can be put through the mulcher for compost.
ORCHIDS
Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Phalaenopsis, Hardcane Dendrobiums and Zygopetalums are all bursting with colour, perfume and emerging spikes to be enjoyed and anticipated. The Cymbidium spikes will need to be staked and it is best to put these in when you see the flower spike.
VEGETABLES
The Vegetables are growing well and will need to be well watered and kept mulched. Constant picking will also promote more produce, particularly with the beans, peas, broccoli, spinach and herbs. Garlic and onions are doing well and don't need much attention.
Good Gardening
Jan
THIS MONTH
IN THE GARDEN
with Jan
JUNE
IN THE GARDEN
with Jan
JUNE
ZYGOCACTUS
JUSTICIA AUREA
DENDROBIUM SUPERBIENS ORCHID
Let nature be your guide
MEXICAN DAISY
MONTANOA
MONTANOA
