At a glance, soil pH can seem like a topic best left to scientists. However, for gardeners wanting to create optimal conditions for plants to thrive in their garden, it’s well worth exploring. Once you’ve gained a basic understanding of the concept, it’s surprisingly simple to apply it to making practical improvements to your garden.
The Wollemi Pine is one of the rarest trees in the world, as well as one of the oldest. Thought to be extinct for thousands of years and studied only in fossil form, the discovery of a wild grove of Wollemi Pines in 1994 took the botanical world by storm. As a result, a massive
Bulbs are known for producing some of the world’s most prized perennial flowers. Less well-known is the range of other underground stem types, which offer everything from showstopping flowers and ornamental foliage to a variety of edible produce and sought-after culinary flavourings. Understanding the differences between these plant types gives insight into their growth cycles,
There are many good reasons to plant trees in the garden. They offer an abundance of benefits, from landscaping and edible produce to shade and habitat, enhancing the beauty and utility of virtually any outdoor space. Of course, they’re also pillars of the world’s forests. With climate change an increasingly urgent issue worldwide, there’s more
The best fast-growing hedge plants for your garden will depend on the effect you want to create. From privacy screening or covering an unsightly facade to formal borders and path edging, the possibilities are endless. Regardless of what type of hedge you’re aiming for, you’re probably hoping to see it become established sooner rather than
Frangipani trees are true stars of the summer months, lending a tropical look and heavenly fragrance to Australian gardens. They love tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate coastal conditions, and with a little extra attention to microclimate, it’s even possible to grow them in cooler and inland regions. A big plus for Frangipani fans is that they’re
All plants need water, but some can make do with much less than others, tolerating or even thriving in dry conditions. The good news for gardeners is that a drought resistant garden need not be confined to any one type of plant. From native trees to Meditteranean edibles, flowers to feature plants, there’s something for
Even among seasoned gardeners, many people don’t realise that calla lilies and arum lilies are not one and the same plant. Although the two are related and bear a strong resemblance, they differ in some important ways. In determining which is best for your garden, it’s worth knowing what these differences are. Arum lilies Arum
With its lush evergreen foliage and tall spikes of flowers, Agapanthus is a stately, strapping addition to many an Australian garden. As well as being visually striking, it’s a real star when it comes to filling difficult spots, thriving in places where nothing else is able to grow. The definition of hardy and tolerant, Agapanthus
Few flowers cut a more striking figure in the garden than dazzling dahlias. Available in an impressive variety of sizes, shapes and colours, these herbaceous perennials produce a dramatic display of both colour and form through summer and autumn. Origins Dahlias are members of the Asteraceae family, alongside daisies, sunflowers, chrysanthemums and zinnia. This family
