Jennifer Stackhouse

Horticulturist, garden writer, blogger & editor.

  1. The best native climbing plants for Sydney gardens

    The best native climbing plants for Sydney gardens
    Natives are highly popular in gardens, but there is one group that’s often overlooked – native climbing plants. Most cover vertical surfaces such as walls, fences and pergolas, but many also grow as trailing and groundcover plants. Benefits of native climbing plants for gardens include that they are evergreen, fast-growing, attractive to pollinators especially when they are in flower, and...
  2. Spring & summer annuals: Our 5 favourite flowers to plant in spring

    Spring & summer annuals: Our 5 favourite flowers to plant in spring
    Annuals are plants that grow, flower and die within a year. They are popular in gardens for adding colour and seasonal interest. Annuals are planted each year as seeds or seedlings. Seeds are sown one to two seasons before flowering time. Growing from seedling shortens the length of time between planting and flowering, so seedlings for summer flowering can be...
  3. The ultimate outdoor spring cleaning checklist for Sydney gardens

    The ultimate outdoor spring cleaning checklist for Sydney gardens
    Spring is a great time to give the house a thorough clean, but don’t stop there. It’s also an ideal time to spring clean the garden. There’s lots that can be done to refresh your garden and outdoor surfaces as well as getting your garden tools in tip-top condition. Here's an easy-to-follow outdoor spring cleaning checklist with our top tips...
  4. Sensational garden staples: Set-and-forget plants that every gardener can grow

    Sensational garden staples: Set-and-forget plants that every gardener can grow
    Every Sydney garden needs a few staple plants. These are plants that you can plant once and never really worry about again, as they can grow with very little extra water, pruning or fertilising required. They may sound too good to be true, but these plants really are set-and-forget, and include plants for every purpose from flowers to groundcovers. Use...
  5. Top plants for a coastal vibe indoors

    Top plants for a coastal vibe indoors
    Coastal inspired decorations and tones are right on trend. If you’ve been inspired to bring the coastal look inside, what plants do you select to match your interior theme? Seaside plants tend to have tough green leaves and include palms, ferns and the tall, lush umbrella tree. The robust green foliage of many indoor plants also complements the blues and...
  6. A guide to caring for Australian native plants

    A guide to caring for Australian native plants
    Australian native plants are gaining a following in gardens, especially flowering native shrubs such as grevilleas, correas, bottlebrush, lilly pillies and banksias. Gardeners are planting Australian natives to attract native insects, birds and animals to gardens and to make their gardens more environmentally friendly. Native plants are also seen as more adaptable to local conditions. With the increase in the...
  7. A guide to planting and growing new-season and bare-rooted trees

    A guide to planting and growing new-season and bare-rooted trees
    July is the time of year that new-season trees and other plants begin to arrive in garden centres. For gardeners who’ve never planted a bare-rooted plant, they can be a little worrying especially with issues around planting, care and maintenance - but there's no need to fret! With the right care and expert advice, these plants will flourish in your...
  8. Caring for flowering indoor plants

    Caring for flowering indoor plants
    Indoor plants are usually thought of as lush and green. Odd leaf shapes, patterns or variegations add to their intrigue and desirability. There are, however, many plants that grow indoors and produce flowers or that can be brought indoors temporarily for a floral display. These flowering plants give an extra dimension to an indoor display, adding colour and sometimes perfume...
  9. The ultimate light guide: how to choose the best indoor lighting for plants

    The ultimate light guide: how to choose the best indoor lighting for plants
    Understanding light needs is simple enough outdoors, but it can be a struggle to understand indoors.  All plants, even those sold as ‘indoor’ plants, need light to grow and thrive. Indoors, light reduces the further you are from a window. Window dressings such as blinds and curtains (even sheer ones!) also reduce light levels, as do shelves where plants are...
  10. How to care for outdoor pot plants in extreme wet weather

    How to care for outdoor pot plants in extreme wet weather
    Pots filled with good quality, premium potting mix provide ideal conditions to grow most plants. As well, pots are a wonderful way to garden in a small space. As they are portable, they can also be moved to avoid weather extremes such as heat, frost and even to shelter plants from the deluge of wet weather that’s been experienced in...

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