Jennifer Stackhouse

The giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), also called wild banana, is a large and striking plant of warm gardens - but in recent years it has become a popular indoor decorative flourish, too. As it isn’t really at home inside, growing it successfully indoors is a big challenge. Flower Power's expert garden people always recommend that these plants be...

A third consecutive La Niña has been declared for the end of 2022 and may extend into early 2023. La Niña events typically bring heavy and widespread rains to many parts of Australia. While most plants love a good watering, persistent wet weather is not always a good thing for plants. Wet soils can lead to root rot and fungal...

As summer heats up, it focuses gardeners on the challenges of exposed garden situations. One of the hottest parts of the garden is the area that gets full afternoon sun. It may be a garden, a balcony or part of your road frontage. The area may also be exposed to reflected heat from hard surfaces and to hot, dry westerly...

Are you planning a holiday, but worried your gardening efforts might be wasted if the garden isn’t cared for? While it is possible to go away for a day or two without the garden coming under too much stress, longer stretches away, especially during a hot summer, can be catastrophic. The best option is to hire a house-sitter (especially if...

Are you looking to get your garden or indoor jungle started with hardy, low-care, virtually unkillable indoor and outdoor plants? These low-maintenance plants for both indoor and outdoor settings genuinely thrive on neglect, and so are great options for beginner gardeners.   Best Unkillable Indoor Plants If you want to get the most out of this selection, provide a well-lit...

Many of those indoor plants that are so popular at the moment hail from tropical and subtropical climates. Their care needs reflect these origins. Want to know how to grow tropical plants indoors? Here's how you can help them flourish.   Popular tropical indoor plants Some of the plants with a tropical pedigree that may be living in your house...

As residential land shrinks in size, there are many reasons that a garden might lack sun, even if it is north facing. Sun can be blocked by a tree or neighbouring building. Your own house might also cast shadows on your garden throughout the day depending on its height and surroundings. If it’s shady at your place and you love...

Palms are very popular plants for Sydney gardens, especially near the coast. The best outdoor palms are admired for their usually quick growth, green fronds and their ability to create a relaxed atmosphere in a garden such as lush and tropical or urban oasis. Although palms are thought of as tall with a single trunk, there are also smaller palms...

As spring rolls around each year, gardens are calling out not just to be admired and enjoyed, but for a little extra TLC. While the weather warms, gardens need to be watered, weeded and fertilised. As plants bloom, their performance is improved with regular deadheading and even a little pruning. Where new plantings are occurring, good soil preparation is key...

Roses are not always the easiest plants to grow, but they are among the most rewarding of all with their colourful and often fragrant blooms for much of the year. There are a few tricks to follow to get them growing well. Here’s our rose guide that takes the angst out of rose growing.   Position Roses need to grow...