(image above) Azalea Leaf Gall

….spring has definitely sprung!! And as we find ourselves finishing up on some of our fertilising and pruning duties, we need to start looking forward and planning ahead.

We have been lucky with the recent rainfall in and around Sydney over the past few weeks.  This will definitely help our newly fertilised beauties and give them a well needed boost coming into the warmer months.  You should already be working hard to ensure your lawns are kept cut to help minimise the spread of any broad-leaved weeds.  And if re-turfing is on the agenda, then do it soon to give it the best chance of establishing over the Christmas and New Years period.

Pest & Disease…

Azalea’s and Rhododendron’s should now be sprayed to help ward off the fungal attack of petal blight and manually relieved of any leaf gall (Caused by the fungus Exobasidium azalea) that will be starting to pop up around this time.

Keep a wide eye out for caterpillars and slugs that are beginning to attack fruiting vines, cherry trees, and the precious vegetable garden. Picking off or spraying where suitable, and make sure you vigilantly manage them to help stave off a return run!

Petunias and carnations should be watched for grey mould (or Botrytis blight) and the aphids that will start attacking the new growth of many plants.  Squashing or hosing off the latter should be a preference to insecticide with a low-toxic variety used only as a last resort.

For a bit of colour…

Begin thinking of planting petunias, marigolds and other annual/perennial hybrids, together with some early flowering sasanqua’s such as ‘Early Peary’, ‘Dream Lover’, and ‘Bonanza’ for a continued flowering display early in the new year.  Chrysanthemums will be available from March so can be used effectively to “bulk up” any empty spaces in the garden for a bigger impact.

“The only way to achieve a low maintenance garden is by fertilising, weeding, and pruning on a regular basis!  A strong, well established plant, will endure drought, pest and disease attacks, and a general lack of care much better than a sickly, struggling specimen!”

Written by: Jonathan Barraket

With spring just around the corner August is Magnolia month! With the stunning white, pink, and mauve blossoms on bare branches, these gorgeous trees are getting ready to put on a show…

We’ve had a beautiful July with plenty of varieties of Camellia and Azalea sp. greeting us with their spectacular colours and forms. Now in August we’ll see a continued opening up of these varieties together with company from the flowering cherries, peaches, and plums (Prunus campanulata, P. cerasifera, P. persica, P. blireana). Diosma’s (Coleonema pulcherrum), Port Wine Magnolia’s (Michelia sp.), Polygala, Psoralea, and Virgilia will also be making an appearance now.

With the continued flowering from annuals and perennials, such as Hellebore (Helebore spp.), Iceland poppies (Papaver nudicaule), Polyanthus (Primula spp.), Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), and Viola sp., we now welcome other varieties such as Ruella sp. and the Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens).

Look out for Clivea sp., Daffodil’s (Narcissus Hybrids), Hyacinth’s (Hyacinthus orientalis) and other bulbs such as Lachenalia and Leucojum spp. as they won’t be able to keep their heads in the ground for too much longer!

The dazzling displays of orange from the Orange trumpet vine (Pyrostegia venusta) will soon be upon us with masses of bursting blossoms. Several jasmines including the Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) are budding up nicely and together with the fresh colours of Clerodendrum splendens (Bleeding heart), Lapageria rosea, and the Skyflower (Thunbergia grandiflora) they will be a welcome addition.

On a Native Front…

Just like our exotic Magnolia counterpart, August is also Acacia month! Well what can one say… our amazing green and gold. Maybe hated by those of us who are hay fever stricken at this time each year, nothing says Australia more than the humble wattle! September 1st is National Wattle Day so pin on a sprig and celebrate this truly wonderful Australian.

With all this excitement going on, don’t forget to keep one eye on the emerging Boronia’s, Clematis sp., Correa and Epacris who will also be making their entrance with Crotalaria, Eriostemon, and the Geralton wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum). Similarly, the Happy wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea), the hardy Mint bush (Prostanthera spp.), and the Rock myrtles (Thryptomene) will also be out in force, and with a delicious smorgasbord of unique Grevillea and Waratah blooms on offer the honeyeaters are sure to be happy.

Written by: Jonathan Barraket