JUSTICIA AUREA
EUPHORBIA PULCERRIMA
dwarf
dwarf
DOMBEYA BURGESSIAE
THIS MONTH
IN THE GARDEN
with Jan
JUNE
IN THE GARDEN
with Jan
JUNE
ANGRAECUM ORCHID
PERISTROPHE
KNIFOFIA
RED HOT POKERS
RED HOT POKERS
Let nature be your guide
ZYGOCACTUS
|
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 Agastache 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 |
Angraecum 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 |
After a very dry late summer and early Autumn, we were spoilt with over150 mls of rain in late May. This meant with the ground still very moist we have a late Autumn show. 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.
FRUIT TREES can be a battle as the wildlife and fruit fly love them as much as we do, but they are worth a try.
Banana I have had my bananas for 40 odd years and they just keep on going. I have split them and planted them in different areas and find they like a well-drained spot and enjoy being mulched and watered. On a sloping site is ideal as they will grow up the hill. Once they have fruited you cut the stem down at ground level.
Mango also likes to be mulched well and needs water but well drained. I have grown them from seed and some have been okay. They are a big tree so give them plenty of room. As a guard against fruit fly you can pick them green once the end has a curve (that is the opposite end to the stem).
Citrus do very well; lemon, lime, orange, mandarin and grapefruit. Mulch well and get a variety suitable for the sub-tropics. They do better with a prune every couple of years. Finger lime is very popular and is a native and very spiky. It can also be pruned to keep in check.
Loquat are extremely drought tolerant and fruit well, but you have to get to them before the birds in harvesting them or net them. It is a nice medium sized tree which is evergreen and very hardy.
Fig Brown turkey grows very well here. They can be espaliered if you don’t have much room. They do lose their leaves in winter and do like water at that time also.
Guava are extremely drought tolerant. There are a few different varieties and all seem to do well in our climate. They also have lovely bark as they are from the myrtacea family. The fruit is great for drinks. The king parrots also love the seeds.
Since my trip to Sri Lanka I am also trying; Custard apple, Lychee, Red papaya and cinnamon. I am also giving Cacao (cocoa) a try. I have kept it in a pot so far and will protect it this winter and then plant it out when it is over a metre high.
I have prepared raised beds for my new fruit trees as I don’t have soil and rock is just below the surface. I have added woody mulch on top as I believe that forest type mulch encourages beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. The beneficial fungi forms a symbiotic relationship with tree roots and enhances the take up of nutrients and moisture.
The bananas, loquat, mangoes, figs and guavas are on the slopes amongst other trees in the garden.
The TREE DAHLIA (Dahlia imperialis) adds drama with its tall canes and pink flowers. It can reach 3 plus metres high and therefore should be sheltered from wind. It should be pruned back after flowering. They do seed as the bees love them, I have never had any of the seeds germinate in the garden. Once they have finished flowering cut them back to ground level. To propagate more of these beautiful shrubs, cut the thicker canes into 1 metre lengths and place them into pots with a joint buried 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 Cymbidum spikes will need to be staked and it is best to put these in when you see the flower spike.
You will need to protect Hardcane dendrobiums and Phalaenopsis from the cold if you get below 10 degrees celcius at night. Watering can also be reduced to 2 or 3 times per week.
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
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.
FRUIT TREES can be a battle as the wildlife and fruit fly love them as much as we do, but they are worth a try.
Banana I have had my bananas for 40 odd years and they just keep on going. I have split them and planted them in different areas and find they like a well-drained spot and enjoy being mulched and watered. On a sloping site is ideal as they will grow up the hill. Once they have fruited you cut the stem down at ground level.
Mango also likes to be mulched well and needs water but well drained. I have grown them from seed and some have been okay. They are a big tree so give them plenty of room. As a guard against fruit fly you can pick them green once the end has a curve (that is the opposite end to the stem).
Citrus do very well; lemon, lime, orange, mandarin and grapefruit. Mulch well and get a variety suitable for the sub-tropics. They do better with a prune every couple of years. Finger lime is very popular and is a native and very spiky. It can also be pruned to keep in check.
Loquat are extremely drought tolerant and fruit well, but you have to get to them before the birds in harvesting them or net them. It is a nice medium sized tree which is evergreen and very hardy.
Fig Brown turkey grows very well here. They can be espaliered if you don’t have much room. They do lose their leaves in winter and do like water at that time also.
Guava are extremely drought tolerant. There are a few different varieties and all seem to do well in our climate. They also have lovely bark as they are from the myrtacea family. The fruit is great for drinks. The king parrots also love the seeds.
Since my trip to Sri Lanka I am also trying; Custard apple, Lychee, Red papaya and cinnamon. I am also giving Cacao (cocoa) a try. I have kept it in a pot so far and will protect it this winter and then plant it out when it is over a metre high.
I have prepared raised beds for my new fruit trees as I don’t have soil and rock is just below the surface. I have added woody mulch on top as I believe that forest type mulch encourages beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. The beneficial fungi forms a symbiotic relationship with tree roots and enhances the take up of nutrients and moisture.
The bananas, loquat, mangoes, figs and guavas are on the slopes amongst other trees in the garden.
The TREE DAHLIA (Dahlia imperialis) adds drama with its tall canes and pink flowers. It can reach 3 plus metres high and therefore should be sheltered from wind. It should be pruned back after flowering. They do seed as the bees love them, I have never had any of the seeds germinate in the garden. Once they have finished flowering cut them back to ground level. To propagate more of these beautiful shrubs, cut the thicker canes into 1 metre lengths and place them into pots with a joint buried 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 Cymbidum spikes will need to be staked and it is best to put these in when you see the flower spike.
You will need to protect Hardcane dendrobiums and Phalaenopsis from the cold if you get below 10 degrees celcius at night. Watering can also be reduced to 2 or 3 times per week.
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 IS FEATURING IN THE GARDEN IN JUNE:
