Gardens are remarkably resilient and most survive winter quite well - especially those gardens that include established plants. In recent years, however, many areas have experienced weather extremes, with very cold weather experienced in areas that don’t normally have harsh winters - meaning winter garden care is a hot topic. For more information on coping with changing weather conditions in...
Pruning plants is a garden task that worries many gardeners as it can seem bewildering and confusing. Many are also concerned that pruning at the wrong time or in the wrong way may harm plants or could even kill them. In most cases, plants recover even from a bad pruning job, but here are some very simple tips to help...
Far from being a drab time in the garden, the winter garden can be filled with colour if you find the right plants. After all, winter-flowering plants are plentiful if you know what to look for! The best winter plants have developed over time to withstand cold conditions. Most are long-flowering and have flowers with tough petals and stems. They...
The quickest and easiest way to turn dirt into lawn is to cover it with a roll of turf. Laying turf is the garden equivalent to putting down carpet in the house. Lawns also help keep outdoor areas cool and make a pleasant surface for children, pets and entertaining outdoors - but it's important to choose the best turf to...
Camellias are among the best of all evergreen flowering shrubs for Sydney gardens. There are many species and named cultivars to grow for flowers from late summer to spring. As well, they tolerate shade to full sun and grow in the ground or in containers. No matter which camellia you are growing, they need similar care. How to plant...
Native plants are gaining in popularity, not only because most are easy-care and fast-growing, but also because they encourage beneficial insects into the garden and provide habitat for small animals. Combining the best of these features are low-maintenance native plants including bottlebrush (callistemon), coastal rosemary, grevillea, kangaroo paw, and lillypilly. All these native plants have similar care requirements: full sun...
The gardenia (Gardenia augusta syn. G. jasminoides), also known as the florist’s gardenia, is one of Australia’s most popular plants - and if you want to know how to grow gardenias in Sydney, you've come to the right place. Gardenias are much loved whether as a cut flower or a garden shrub due to their fragrant creamy white flowers that...
While garden centres carry a broad range of quality potting mixes to suit the needs of all plants, some gardeners like to blend their own using a range of additives. To blend your own potting mix to use in containers, for special plants such as orchids or succulents, or for propagation such as striking cuttings or sowing seeds, you need...
Many gardeners want to control garden pests, but in a way that’s not going to harm the environment or beneficial insects. Here are some environmentally friendly pest control tips to minimise impact on beneficials in the garden and product recommendations that are safe to use in the garden. There are now many organic options for pest control, which include biological...
Lace bug is a serious pest in gardens, attacking the leaves of azaleas and rhododendrons. The damage it causes is seen as bronzing or silvering on the top of the leaves (see image above), but the pest itself is active underneath the leaf. If you look on the underside of a damaged leaf, the tiny pest along with frass (insect...
Gardens are remarkably resilient and most survive winter quite well - especially those gardens that include established plants. In recent years, however, many areas have experienced weather extremes, with very cold weather experienced in areas that don’t normally have harsh winters - meaning winter garden care is a hot topic. For more information on coping with changing weather conditions in...
Pruning plants is a garden task that worries many gardeners as it can seem bewildering and confusing. Many are also concerned that pruning at the wrong time or in the wrong way may harm plants or could even kill them. In most cases, plants recover even from a bad pruning job, but here are some very simple tips to help...
Far from being a drab time in the garden, the winter garden can be filled with colour if you find the right plants. After all, winter-flowering plants are plentiful if you know what to look for! The best winter plants have developed over time to withstand cold conditions. Most are long-flowering and have flowers with tough petals and stems. They...
The quickest and easiest way to turn dirt into lawn is to cover it with a roll of turf. Laying turf is the garden equivalent to putting down carpet in the house. Lawns also help keep outdoor areas cool and make a pleasant surface for children, pets and entertaining outdoors - but it's important to choose the best turf to...
Camellias are among the best of all evergreen flowering shrubs for Sydney gardens. There are many species and named cultivars to grow for flowers from late summer to spring. As well, they tolerate shade to full sun and grow in the ground or in containers. No matter which camellia you are growing, they need similar care. How to plant...
The gardenia (Gardenia augusta syn. G. jasminoides), also known as the florist’s gardenia, is one of Australia’s most popular plants - and if you want to know how to grow gardenias in Sydney, you've come to the right place. Gardenias are much loved whether as a cut flower or a garden shrub due to their fragrant creamy white flowers that...
While garden centres carry a broad range of quality potting mixes to suit the needs of all plants, some gardeners like to blend their own using a range of additives. To blend your own potting mix to use in containers, for special plants such as orchids or succulents, or for propagation such as striking cuttings or sowing seeds, you need...
Many gardeners want to control garden pests, but in a way that’s not going to harm the environment or beneficial insects. Here are some environmentally friendly pest control tips to minimise impact on beneficials in the garden and product recommendations that are safe to use in the garden. There are now many organic options for pest control, which include biological...
Lace bug is a serious pest in gardens, attacking the leaves of azaleas and rhododendrons. The damage it causes is seen as bronzing or silvering on the top of the leaves (see image above), but the pest itself is active underneath the leaf. If you look on the underside of a damaged leaf, the tiny pest along with frass (insect...