outdoor plants

Waratahs are spectacular spring-flowering Australian native shrubs. Indeed, the large flowers are so striking, the New South Wales waratah is the state's floral emblem. The New South Wales waratah (Telopea speciosissima) is one of five species of waratah found along the east coast of Australia and the one that has been most highly developed for gardens. These plants are not...

There’s nothing like a vase of freshly-cut flowers and there’s nothing like growing the flowers yourself. Discover 12 flowers that make the cut.   1. Kangaroo paws Anigozanthos Colourful and distinctive, kangaroo paw is one of the most recognised and rewarding natives you can grow and it makes an excellent cut flower. Varieties like Bush Pearl and Bush Blitz flower almost...

A topiary is a living, decorative sculpture created by training and shaping a plant. It may be a shrub that’s outgrown its space in the garden or a plant bought specifically to be clipped and trained as a topiary specimen. When you clip a plant into a topiary shape, you are following a very old gardening practice. Gardeners have been...

The decline of the world's bee population is sobering, not only as it's part of an overall decline of pollinating insects, but because it has the potential to affect our food. Bees are vital to pollinate many edible crops and help produce about a third of our food. They are also needed to pollinate many crops that produce seeds for cultivation...

A little bit about hebes Hebes are like that smart suit you own that can be dressed up and made to look pretty or left plain but neat. Hebes are neat, tidy plants that don’t demand much care or attention. Most grow around 1-1.5m high and wide, with a naturally rounded shape and small, dense leaves. They are extremely pretty...

Combining plants in a garden is a mixture of art and science. The colours, textures and shapes need to work together (the ‘art’ part of the pairing) but the plant choices must grow together harmoniously (the ‘science’ bit). To get you started we’ve selected five small garden trees and looked at underplanting options for either an informal or formal look...

When every inch of your garden is precious, it's worth having a few space-saving ideas up your sleeve to make the most of your bijou space.   1. Leave some room It can be tempting to fill your garden with wonderful things, but a bit of breathing space created with paving, stepping stones, pebbles or a patch of lawn (real or artificial), is...

Despite appearances, proteas are not Australian native plants – but they could have been and there in lies a fascinating story stretching back billions of years, to a time when Australia was part of a super continent we call Gondwana. Also part of Gondwana was Africa and it's on this continent that proteas - and their close relatives leucadendrons and...

Whether you want to spruce up your space for a party night or just want to welcome living flowering colour inside, here are 13 outdoor plants that love to holiday indoors.   1. Philodendron The word philodendron translates to ‘tree lover’ because of the plant’s ability to grow on trees. But this lush ornamental plant with large and glossy leaves...

From snapdragon to stock, a sprinkling of edible flowers will transform your next meal from everyday to gourmet. Here are 11 of our favourite flowers to feast on.   Daisy Bellis perennis Create a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds with common daisies. The subtle-tasting petals make a lovely garnish for savoury dishes, like sandwiches, soups and salads. For...