With their spectacular show of trumpet-like flowers around Christmas, Hippeastrums are a summer star. When it comes to growing this perennial bulb, also known by the common name* amaryllis, problems tend to be minimal – it’s tough, tolerant and pest resistant. Like any other plant, though, Hippeastrums aren’t immune to disease, so it’s worth keeping
“What should I do with my Amaryllis after it blooms?” This is a question we hear quite frequently. Here, we’ll explain what to do with Amaryllis after blooming is over for the season by showing how this fits into the plant’s life cycle. About Hippeastrums (Amaryllis) While many gardeners know this plant as Amaryllis, we’ll
Cool-season flowers The cold season might see us spending more time indoors, but there’s still plenty to enjoy in the garden, especially with the wide range of winter-flowering plants available. In fact, some plants really come into their own at this time of year, when many other plants have stepped out of the spotlight. Adding
Backyard Fruit Trees Growing fruit trees to maturity is among the most rewarding of backyard activities. The truth is, you don’t even need a backyard – a sunny balcony or courtyard will do the trick, thanks to the growing range of compact trees on the market. With a little planning, patience and TLC, you’ll be
Pruning trees Trees are an important part of creating a flourishing garden, offering benefits ranging from structure and shading to animal habitat and maintaining soil health. Mastering the art of pruning lets you guide your trees to grow in ways that will keep them healthy and manageable. Left to their own devices, though, they can
If you want to create full, lush plant coverage across all parts of your garden, you’ll need to contend with those shadier areas that don’t get as much sun. Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that thrive in these conditions, just waiting to fill in those gaps under tree canopies, along fence lines and even
Growing your own produce Growing your own edible produce at home is a worthy goal for any gardener. Not sure where to start? Go for easy-to-grow, high yielding varieties suited to the conditions you have available in your garden. Here are a few beginner-friendly suggestions for those looking to flex their green thumbs over winter.
Roses Roses really need no introduction. Prized the world over for the beauty of their flowers, which are often richly fragrant, these woody perennials are beloved by gardeners, romantics, poets and perfumiers alike. There are more than 300 rose species and thousands of cultivar varieties, with growing habits ranging from upright to climbing and trailing.
Roses are far less work than many people think – in fact, they’re generally quite hardy. That said, they are vigorous growers, and regular pruning is essential to keep rose bushes tidy and manageable, as well as minimise pests and diseases. Timing is important when it comes to pruning roses. Australia has a less severe
What Are Seed Potatoes? When you first hear the term ‘seed potatoes’, you’d be forgiven for thinking it refers to potatoes grown from seed. That’s not quite the case, though. Seed potatoes are actually potato tubers – specifically, ones that are used to propagate a new plant with the same traits. Seed potatoes are effectively
