Then, it wasn't long before we met Cesar Milan as the Dog Whisperer, rehabilitating aggressive dogs. If that wasn't enough to dull the senses along came Jennifer Love Hewitt's the Ghost Whisperer and the term "whisperer" became synonymous with anyone who had a certain gift communicating with animals and beings that normal people failed to enjoy.

So, I'm a little stunned that we haven't seen the Plant Whisperer yet, or maybe they just haven't been discovered to date. Maybe such a person exists but until they're interviewed on the Dave Letterman Show or discovered by Oprah we won't hear about them.

Or, maybe you know such a person. Or, even better, YOU are that person.

And before we all go jumping to conclusions that probably shouldn't be jumped upon, perhaps we should identify some of the key factors that one might exhibit if they were the Plant Whisperer. Things like;

• They could talk a plant back from the brink of death just by empathising with its needs.


• They might even be able to coax it to flower out of season


• Or, better still, entice a foliage plant to flower where it never has before


• But the Holy Grail would be to get a plant to divulge the secrets to the Plant Kingdom. The little tidbits of information that scientists and so-called 'experts' have been hypothesizing about for eons but could never conclusively prove.

I'm not sure I've come across such a person but if I did I'm sure that they would have made an impression on me. What about you, do you know someone who might fit the bill?

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (7)

Let's start with the first proposition - not accepting a plant. As this is a gardening blog one would expect that plants are the quintessential ingredient. Correct. Yet while 99.9% of plants can grab, and hold, my attention there are a few that I honestly do not like. In fact, I struggle to stop myself from gagging whenever I see them used in a garden.

So, while most plants would excite me and would certainly make their way into my garden - somewhere - a few are certain candidates as regift potentials. And the reason they are is because so many people love them, which is, sadly, why they're popular.

But the real question is whether to regift it or not? For those who may not understand the term "regift" it is the practice of passing the gift onto another person, for whom you may be obligated to give to, as though it were a present solely intended for that person. It's a socially acceptable fraudulent act where the consequence of being found out is shame and constant 'ribbing' within that circle of influence.

If you think of all those times when a 'gift' is a social obligation - Mother's Day, Thank you occasions, Housewarming parties and taking a token when visiting a family member - it makes perfect sense that a regifted plant could come in handy.

But as always, there are rules;

• Never make the major faux pas of regifting to the same person that gave you the plant initially.
• Try and remember which friends may have seen the plant when you first received it - and ensure that it's a different circle of friends when regifting.
• There is usually at least one person that you complained to about the gift - never regift it to that person.
• And, try and ensure that the original giver has very little, if indeed nothing, to do with the recipient of your regift.

And if all that sounds a little sneaky, underhanded and a little too much effort - you could always try and sell it at a local market.

But, there are rules on how you go about doing that... Another time, perhaps?

Have you ever regifted a plant or found another way of disposing of it thoughtfully? Love to hear your thoughts.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (1)

The question really isn't about whether it will grow, it's more about whether it will produce - and if that produce has any resemblance to a 'normal' avocado. Just like the question I answered on planting apple seeds you want to know that your effort is going to be rewarded.

Well, can I start off by saying that if you want to grow an avocado tree from its seed you will need the 'patience of Job' to see it through to completion. This is no overnight process and Voila! you're eating your own avocados next season. No, this process takes years and years so don't plant it in the ground if you're planning on moving within the next 5-10.

Germinating an Avocado Seed

The first step in the process is to get the seed to germinate. The best way to do this is to suspend the seed, using a few toothpicks dug into the sides, above a glass of water. The base of the seed needs to be resting in the water so this will require refilling during the process. Then, leave the suspended seed on a window sill or in a cold frame where it will be kept warm by the sunlight.

Eventually the seed will crack open and new sprouts will emerge and roots will begin to feed into the water. This can take anywhere between 3-6 months depending upon the amount of sunlight the seed receives and whether you've been disciplined in keeping the water level up to the base of the pip.

Once the sprouts and roots emerge, it's time to begin planting.

Planting an Avocado Seed

The next step is to get the seed into some growing medium. A mix of one-third compost, one-third vermiculite and one-third river sand would be ideal to start your propagated avocado. In the centre of the pot, make a small hole where you can plant just the roots and bottom base of the seed. Then back-fill and shake any air bubbles out the mix before lightly watering.

This new plant will then need to go into a location where it can receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight every day. A small greenhouse (aff.) is ideal but if this isn't a possibility then the edge of a sheltered porch or patio may be a great option.

Once it has grown about a metre tall it will then be ready to start transplanting.

Transplanting Your Avocado Plant

As I mentioned earlier, if you're planning to move from your current residence in the next 5-10 years then planting this in the ground will be a waste of time. You're probably far better off to transplant it into a large mobile pot that you can take with you.

Prepare the pot with a good draining potting mix and place the avocado plant into the middle keeping the top of the avocado soil level with the height of the new pot. At this point, add a stake before backfilling and tie the plant securely to it. You may even want to tie some hessian cloth around the pot to protect the plant from the elements.

If you do decide to plant your avocado in the ground then dig a hole twice as wide as the current root-ball and twice as deep. Add some well-rotted compost into the hole and plant the avocado on top. Stake it as mentioned before and then backfill the hole. Water deeply to remove any air-pockets and to help the plant deal with the transplant shock.

Finally, in both cases - pot or ground - I would add some bonemeal fertiliser and then mulch with lucerne hay.

Enjoying the fruits of your labour

Now, while your avocado tree may grow quite quickly once you've transplanted it out it won't produce any fruit for possibly the first 7 years of its life - hence the 'patience of Job' required. Most growers usually become disenchanted with their trees long before this and either remove them or just ignore them. But, if you're willing to wait the time they will eventually produce the most amazing avocado fruits and will continue to do so for years to come.

If you've decided that this process is too long and you want to buy an already established tree then make sure you ask the nursery owner how long the trees have been growing for. If not, you may end up only missing the first two steps in the process and still have years before you get to enjoy any fruit.

All the best.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (2)

For me, they're Correas. And they are fast becoming one of my most sought after Aussie natives.

The reasons may not seem overtly apparent, especially when they're not in flower. Yet, if you take a quick look around the garden in autumn you will soon see how dramatic the landscape can change. These insignificant bushes that mingle with a scope of natives transform, almost instantaneously, into a candelabra of passionate colour.

While the flowers are certainly a gorgeous spectacle, one of the highlights for me is their ability to grow in most light conditions. This is a huge plus when creating a native Australian garden as most of our indigenous species are full-sun lovers. Finding plants that will grow well in spots that never see the light of day, is a task that borders on impossible.

And then there's the range. Shrubby bushes, like C. glabra, will grow to 2m and display a bounty of green winter bells. Hybrids, such as Correa 'Dusky Bells' ( quite possibly a result of C. reflexa and C.pulchella) prefer to hug the ground and will only grow about 20-30cm becoming smothered in dusky pink bells from the start of autumn.

Flowers come in a range of white, C. alba, to bright reds and pinks, C. pulchella, and those tipped with yellow borders, C. reflexa. And they never seem to get bored of producing them.

The one pictured above (my apologies for the photo) is C.puchella 'Firestorm' which I bought just last week. It will be an awesome edition to my sun-obscured border and just the exuberance I need for my garden during this dismal season. It's only a baby but maturity isn't that far off as it stretches to only 1m high.

Where will Correa's grow?

There aren't too many places this species won't inhabit. Apart from wet, tropical regions and areas where there is minimal rainfall, Correas will thrive - and with very little effort. They're not choosy about their soil conditions, although they do prefer it a little more sandy than clay, and they don't require copious amounts of fertiliser.

Correas prefer a moist soil but detest wet feet so planting them in a free-draining area will suit them wonderfully.

While Correas will grow as well in the shade as in full-sun, they do tend to become leggy where light is restricted.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (3)

My disrespect for bougainvillea began as a result of myths I had heard from other gardeners. Their 'wisdom' expressed that these plants needed very little to care to help them grow and once in the ground would virtually look after themselves. Their comments were partly right, but there are a heap of things that gardeners can do wrong to ensure these plants won't succeed.

Our faux pas was to plant it at the same time as many other plants in our new garden bed. I had trellised some wire along the fence to give it some support - which was good - but then inadvertently planted some faster growing plants in front of it.

It wasn't until our front garden makeover that we discovered this plant even existed having not seen it for nearly two years. The amazing thing about this bougainvillea was that while it had been ignored, hidden and competed against, it still survived. Sure, it didn't grow and it never flowered - but it was still alive.

So, this season I decided to ensure that this battler of the warmer climate garden was permitted its far share of growing opportunities. And it has not let me down. At the beginning of spring, some five months prior, it weighed in at a little taller than 60cm. Today, it has surpassed the top of the 6ft fence and has branched out along some of the trellis wire. Plus, it is even flowering.

And not to get too confused with the semantics, the bougainvillea picture above is not of its flower. Its merely the colourful bracts that we all admire. The flower is hidden inside and is quite small and insignificant.

So, what changed in the care that I gave this plant that allowed it to succeed?

1. It started to get some light - the lack of sunlight is the reason most gardeners never enjoy the colourful bracts flourishing on the bougainvillea. If yours, and this one wasn't, isn't getting at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day then forget ever seeing colour on this climber. Cut away competing branches to let some light in or move your bougainvillea if you must.
2. I removed its competition - while bougainvillea is a fast-growing climber, it will struggle to get the water and nutrients needed if planted with other vigorous fast-growers. If similar speedy plants are grown near it you will need to ensure that top-ups of soluble fertiliser and required water is added.
3. I changed my attitude - caring for a bougainvillea wasn't high on my list of things to achieve in the garden. I expected that once it was planted it would take care of itself. And while that is predominantly true, I have had far more success this season while nurturing it than in the past couple of ignoring it.

While I failed to care for this bougainvillea in its early life - and had there been a Department for Plant Cruelty I'd be punished severely - it has been most forgiving. I look forward to sharing more pictures with you in the coming years - and maybe a story of how it took my appreciation for granted and took over the garden completely! Who knows?

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (5)

All that aside, this is a great list and if you've some spare time to indulge in a little garden porn then flicking through the gallery of each plant is worth your while.

Val has broken the Top 100 down for each season. Eryngium giganteum, Knautia macedonica and Astrantia major 'Roma' for the summer garden while Galanthus 'S. Arnott' and Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire' will brighten your winter blues. Not to mention 25 must-haves for both Spring and Autumn this list of 100 is sheer delight.

BTW - just for the record, of the 100 plants Val listed I only have a solitary 1 growing in my garden - Gaura lindheimeri. I feel so inadequate (sniff!..)

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (8)

Today was one of those days. It wasn't a great bargain, as bargains go, but it was a good one. I decided to take the kids to one of the local Saturday morning markets and after perusing all that was on offer felt tempted back to the Herb seller.

On offer were some 100mm pots of marjoram, a herb I've been desiring for some time. The price - $3. Not bad when you consider the local big box stores sell them for $4.95 each. I knew I had three dollars left but wasn't sure I wanted to part with it here without picking up the Saturday paper.

Yet fate tempted me as I drove past the stall on my way out, so I stopped and asked my daughter to quickly dash off and grab me one of the pots. To my excitement, she returned with 2 containers of this wonderful herb exclaiming her win as loud as a crow barking their victory over a piece of roadkill. Suddenly the sense of urgency came over me in much the same way as a mafia gangster would feel after a drive-by shooting.

I took off before she had time to close the door and picked up speed careering between cars until I felt safe to ask any questions.

Apparently, the marjoram wasn't a big seller and so she had given us two in order to clear her stall. It was a win-win! My heart rate could finally subside.

I do enjoy a good bargain.

So, what was your last plant bargain? And how did you come by it? Tell your story in the comments or write a post about it, if you have a blog. Love to hear it.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (6)

Years of weathering, struggling and acclimatising have allowed these plants to survive and they do so with no help at all from the human race. In fact, we do them more harm than good and add to the factors which govern their very existence.

And it seems to me that their secrets aren't that hard to learn. They're tucked away from the unsuspecting eye but spare a few minutes to observe and question, and they will readily disperse their wisdom. They're almost too keen to give away what centuries have made them fight for.

While millions of gardeners don't even live on the coast, and some may have not even seen it, the changing global weather patterns are forcing all of us to rethink our planting schemes. 'Drought-tolerant', and 'water-saving' are terms that we're hearing more than ever and are more likely to impact the next generation than our own. This means that we need to embrace the paradigm shift that the way our parents gardened is not the way we should. And we should begin to consider plants that are more readily suited to our conditions and climate.

So, what can we learn from these coastal plants?

Foliage of coastal plants

• Reduce evaporation - many coastal plants have felt-tipped foliage and are unabashedly matte. This reduces the effects of the sun slowing evaporation and thereby enables the plants to be more efficient. The water source they can tap is then only ever used to feed the plant and not robbed by an aggressive sun.
• Serrated for safety - many larger leafed plants that reside on the coast have serrated or jagged edges. This is extremely helpful to combat angry winds that have no thought for these plants and bash them violently against each other or upon neighbouring rocks. The serrations make it harder for the leaves to be damaged and become susceptible to disease.

• Cupping foliage - plants like this Euphorbia paralais have learnt to turn their foliage upwards and cup them to gather much needed rainfall.
• Storage facilities - some plants like the Pigface succulent, Carpobrotus glaucescens are able to store their water source within their foliage and draw on as needed. This allows the pigface to grow where many others fail and they are often found in extreme areas where rational gardeners would be surprised to see anything grow at all.

Growing conditions of coastal plants

Coastal plants have to learn to adapt to their harsh environment much quicker than most of their domestic counterparts. Some will grow between rocks, shielded from the winds and salt-spray while others will need to live under shifting sands that threaten to bury them.

The ones that do survive have made use of a bad situation and certainly offer incredible optimism in the face of adversity.

Their roots are usually deeper than most other plants and they will take advantage of any benefit that nature offers them. Using land-forms as windbreaks, anchors and sources of safety against herbivorous animals is just one form of ingenuity they employ.

Do coastal plants flower?

However, their flowers also share a few things in common.

1. They're usually small and often unassuming
2. Their flowers are often simple in shape and colour
3. Flowering periods are usually quite short and coincide with prime germination periods for each plant

What can they teach us about our gardens then?

To grow plants that will survive our climates usually takes some forethought. It's rare that most gardeners can just situate a plant where they desire and reap rewards without any consideration for the plant's needs and preferences - growing plants in full-sun/shade/part-shade is just one consideration.

Questions we can ask ourselves are;

• How will this plant be protected, if indeed it needs protection from wind, animals, pests etc?
• Where will this plant derive its water from? Can I make it less dependent on me?
• Is this plant going to require the 'cotton-wool' approach or is it able to forge a life on its own?

In answering these questions we can help ourselves by making our gardens less dependent on us and ensuring that we're not taking from nature more than we're giving back.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's so subjective, isn't it? The plants that one person considers extraordinary may be common place to another. Yet, if we each had to come up with a Top 10 Most Incredible Plants (or Flowers) in the World I'm sure there would be a few that would make each list.

For example, Divine Caroline has just produced their list entitled Eight of the World’s Most Unusual Plants. And sure enough, two of the eight feature in my list of the 10 Most Amazing Flowers in the World - Rafflesia arnoldii and Amorphophallus.

Would your list include these two beauties or are there other plants that are not getting the attention they deserve because these porkers are stealing the spotlight?

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (4)

Unless you planned your garden for children and pets at the onset, chances are your serene plot in this world could be a ticking time bomb. And this time we're not talking about chemicals, pesticides or synthetic toxins.

It's our plants that are the problem.

While we chose them for their flowers, foliage or growing habit few gardeners would think twice about the toxicity levels of our most poisonous plants. And it seems that until some dire crisis happens in our gardens we're completely ignorant toward the plant and the effects they may have on our loved ones.

After reading Tony Spencer's post on how his dog spent 2 days on IV after consuming parts of a sago palm it became apparent that serious questions needed to be asked.

Questions like: Should poisonous plants be banned from our nurseries and garden centres?

The problem with affirmatively answering that debate is that it would leave us gardeners with very limited plant choices. There would be no azaleas, wisteria, daffodils, cyclamens, hydrangeas and the list could go on. And it does - here.

In fact, most of our plants are toxic or poisonous to our pets and children. The risk averse gardener would say that we should just keep the two separated. If you have children and/or pets then don't have a garden. But realistically, is this the preferred result? Do we want our children growing up without plants and flowers and a gardening environment to enjoy?

The nay-sayers and head shakers would also love to regulate this Pandora's box by seeing warning labels available to the consumer. While this could be a huge problem for plant suppliers it might not be such a bad idea.

Chemical companies are forced to disclose the ingredients in their products with User Beware warnings, so why shouldn't plant growers? Maybe we could see a toxicity rating for each of these poisonous plants and what effects they may have on pets and humans.

At the very least they should carry the hotline number of the Poisons Information Centre. Shouldn't they?

Or, should the onus be on the gardener to understand whether the plant they're buying is going to be harmful to their loved ones?

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (8)

There is a sense of satisfaction when you buy plants from a nursery or garden centre. For the moment you part with your hard-earned cash you can physically see what you've bought and in most cases plant your purchase immediately.

When you buy plants online, your level of risk increases and you can easily become anxious with the decision you've made. While buying plants online is a much simpler process and extremely convenient for many gardeners, many haven't - or won't - avail themselves of this useful purchasing option because the perceived risks are too great.

While no-one denies that the risks of purchasing plants from online stores is still there, the chances of being ripped-off are diminishing. However, it pays to be vigilant.

As the saying goes, "It's better to be safe than sorry." So here's a few points worth considering that may help you to to buy safely.

1. Buy from an online plant nursery not an online store
   You wouldn't buy your plants at the local supermarket so don't buy them from a general online store either. They may be cheaper than buying from an online garden centre but they won't be treated as well nor given the same attention.

   It would be the same as hiring ACME Removalists to haul your antiques rather than seeking someone who specialises in moving antiquated furniture.

2. Purchase plants out of season
   Many plants are best bought at the end of their growing/flowering season rather at the start or midway. Firstly, they're much cheaper as online retailers clear their stocks and second you're not paying inflated premiums because they're the current fashion plant.

   If you're after bulbs, and have somewhere to store them, then buying them at the end of spring may produce some great bargains.

3. The risk of buying new vs pre-loved plants
   If you plan to buy plants online then two options become available to you. Firstly you can opt to purchase your plants as new from most online garden retailers. This is far less risky than buying pre-loved from third parties because you have the backing of a company keen to keep their reputation intact.

   Secondly, if you buy plants from a third party via Ebay or Craiglists, you run the risk of buying more than you bargained for. Plant diseases, potting-soil disease and struggling plants are all possible with this type of purchase. And, there is no comeback if you're unhappy with your plants growth or survival.

4. Check out recommendations and testimonials
   Any online garden site worth its while will have a section for purchasers to email their plant buying testimonials. Or, they will have a section for users to recommend or make suggestions about the service they've received.

   This is imperative reading. Sure, very few companies will promote any dissatisfied comments but the ones who do will show a greater level of transparency to their clients. Everyone understands that nothing is perfect so if all you're reading is positive try searching around garden forums for users to share their honest opinions.

5. Read through their returns and exchange policy
   Most countries have a governing body that administer fair trading policies. They will usually have an ombudsman that can be contacted if you feel like you haven't been dealt with fairly in your purchase.

   However, this should really be a last resort. It's far easier to peruse the online retailers Returns and Exchange Policy to see how they deal with problem purchases. If you're satisfied that what they offer is fair then you can feel secure knowing your purchase is less riskier.

   Some retailers won't refund your purchase but they may exchange it, or give you credit, to buy other plants in stock.

6. Fast delivery is important
   Fast, and safe, delivery is paramount to your plants success. If the retailer ships across the country in unrefrigerated transport and promise that you will receive it within 7-10 days, then buying plants in the middle of summer is not a good option.

   When you buy plants online you should be able to have them freighted to you within 2-3 days max. (if the plant is in stock).

7. Read the Privacy Statement
   Not all online nurseries make their money from selling plants. Some use the information they glean from you as a customer and on-sell to marketing companies for advertising purposes. This is quite a lucrative market and can often result in you getting more than the normal 10 telemarketing calls each day.

   Take the time to read how this online retailer plans to use your personal information.

8. Be honest with your expectations
   While every plant looks incredible and healthy in a mail-order catalogue or picture online, the truth is that many plants will not live up to your expectations. Retailers are only ever going to promote the most perfect flowers despite the fact that it may have been surrounded by 6 less than ideal ones.

   Expect variations in flower colour, growth rate and ability to handle your soil type. They are plants after all. If they're coming from another growing zone, understand they may need some extra care to survive your climate.

9. Buy a small quantity to start
   Once you've plucked up the courage to buy plants online be sensible in how you approach purchasing from an untested retailer. Buy one or two plants - regardless of the freight discounts for buying 10 or more - and observe how they go in your garden.

   Treat them as you would the nursery down the street. It takes time to build confidence but if the retailer is worthwhile then they'll be happy to go at your pace and help ease your anxiety.

10. Give honest feedback
    Now that you've bought your plants and stuck them in the ground, or in a pot, it's time to give some feedback to the retailer. This is not just for their benefit, even though it will help them give better service in the future, it's also to assist other newbie online plant buyers so their choice can be made simpler.
    

Once you've tested the water of buying plants online it will open your eyes to a whole new world. Online garden retailers usually have a far greater range of plants than your local nursery and so can offer more choice and usually cheaper prices.

What have been your experiences of buying plants online?

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (1)

While most view growing marijuana in the context of illicit drug-trade problems and the effect this substance is having on our kids, there are few who see the real problems this is causing our environment.

Sure, there are few ecological issues in a backyard propagation - apart from the dreaded increase in phosphate fertilisers. But the problem escalates when we consider that the bulk of marijuana comes from illegal plantations grown in the most remote forests.

For five months of the year growers tend their 'secret gardens' carefully keeping their stash as hidden as possible counting the days until harvest.

Alex Breitler, from Recordnet asks this;

What will they leave behind? Irrigation tubes that snake for a mile or more over forested ridges. Pesticides that have drained into creeks and entered the food chain, sickening wildlife. Piles of trash and human waste in the most rugged and bucolic drainages.

Pro-marijuana lobbyists argue that if the drug were legalised then these problems would cease. And most likely they would. But, instead of raping our land they will instead ruin our children.

It's a diabolical problem that just continues to grow and spread its ever-reaching tentacles across our environment and the community.

In some ways, it's actually easier to treat rampant invasive weeds. At least, when you're dealing with these plants and they're associated problems it's far easier to contain the issues. Trying to deal with illegal growers of marijuana plants in our pristine forest areas is like putting out spot fires in a refinery with rising winds at your back.

For states such as California, which is quite similar to my own homeland of Western Australia, the problems seem insurmountable and the fight against these dope growers is becoming even harder. Not to mention that marijuana growers are waving a large carrot in front of a governor facing the likelihood of a $billion budget blowout.

At this point, even for us gardeners who might have misgivings about the drug, it seems common sense to legalise this and allow our forests to recuperate.

But in the end it comes down to the balancing scales of our communities versus the possible degradation of our natural vegetation. Could you make the call?

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (1)

Absurdly I enjoy those "Where did I come from?" discussions with my kids. Watching them squirm and giggle, their faces blushing crimson as they take in the enormity of the question they just asked. And I always enjoy giving more information than is needed - just to heighten the squirming, giggling and embarrassed blushes.

Sure, they'll need counseling so if you have any recommendations....for counselors, that is.

While the 'birds and the bees' chat is fun and interesting I think, after all these years, that I finally have a handle on it. However, I've always wondered where new plants come from.

I'm not talking about new colours or dwarfing varieties but actual new plants that we've never seen before. It seems that the plant kingdom continues expanding if our gardening catalogues are anything to go by.

Fortunately, Graham Rice from the Transatlantic Plantsman has produced a two-part series on where they come from as he looks at the discovery of Gaillardia aristata 'Amber Wheels' in Part One and the tetraploid mutation of Campanula ‘Royal Wave’ in Part Two.

I wonder if there are any undiscovered plants around my 'neck of the woods'?

BTW - don't ask me what a tetraploid mutation is? That goes beyond the bounds of this blog and my experience.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do you ever find yourself scratching your head wondering "What the heck is this plant that's growing in my garden?" only to remember that it was one your mother-in-law gave you for Christmas that you felt obligated to plant? The name escapes you, for the time-being anyway, but you do recognise the flower and that awkward scent.

If you leave your plant names to memory there's a good chance that one day you'll find yourself forgetting a few. And who can blame you? If you live on a normal suburban block you probably have a couple hundred plants in your garden so it's quite possible to forget the odd one or two.

What's more embarrassing is that you only forget the name when you're showing your visitors around -

"There's the gardenia jasminoides we planted last spring next to our hellebores niger. Don't you love the contrast?"

"Yes. Just gorgeous. And what's that plant in the front?"

"That's...um...yes, I can't remember off the top of my head. Funny, I only planted it last week."

For those fastidious gardeners who keep a journal, this is probably not a scenario you would experience. However, for those a little less organised, like myself, there are garden markers. Plant labels that can easily identify what's growing where.

I've often considered labelling my plants in some form but never quite found the best way to go about it. Sure, there's an abundance of products available and even ideas on how to make your own. But the reality is that most garden markers look downright gaudy at best.

If I'm investing my hard-earned money into creating a beautiful garden the last thing I want in front of my plants is a plastic label with black texta. No, I want something a little more...beautiful!

Then I came across these copper plant markers that allow you to etch the plant names (and any other information you desire - ie. planting date, latin name etc) directly into the copper. It doesn't really matter if you have bad writing or not, they will still come up looking a treat.

And while most packs of plant markers come in packets of 10 and are seemingly expensive you won't need to label every plant but just the ones that are focussed on the most - or the ones you regularly forget.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (3)

Anyone can call themselves a gardener. It doesn't take much skill to purchase a few plants or potted annuals and decorate your garden beds. In fact, if I was clever enough, I think I could train my dog to accomplish this (as soon as I get a dog, that is).

But, the litmus test of a true gardener is whether you can propagate your own plants or not. Taking cuttings, germinating seeds and grafting some of your favourite trees is all part of plant propagation. It's the art - ok, science - of reproducing your garden.

So where does a gardener, or at least someone who desires to be a gardener, start with plant propagation? And, how do you achieve success by propagating the plants you love and enjoy?

To understand plant propagation one has to at least acknowledge the basic needs of a plant. They need light, water, air and minerals. Too much, and they will die. Too little, and they will die. Too much of one need to the detriment of the others, and your plant will deform. That's it. Basic Plant Needs 101 has concluded.

So, now that you understand a plant's needs, you now need to learn the basic structure of a plant.

The two main components of a plant (and this is very basic stuff) are the stem and the roots. The stem holds the leaves, stems, buds, fruits and flowers which captures the air and the light requirements. The roots hold the plant in its growing medium and sources the water and minerals.

When it comes to plant propagation then and being successful at it we only have to ensure that the needs of the plant are maintained and the structure is encouraged.

Understanding all of this, it's now time to learn a few propagation techniques.

Propagating by division is by far the easiest form of plant propagation for the home gardener. It allows you to divide many of your tuberous, bulbous or rhizomous plants such as daylilys, irises, gladioli and agapanthus simply by dividing the clump. You don't even have to be really gentle about the operation. More details...

Collecting garden seed is the next on the list of least difficult plant propagation techniques. Many annuals, natives and perennials produce their own seed which can be harvested and later grown to reproduce the parent plant. More details...

Propagation by plant cuttings is my preferred method of choice although it can't be used on all plants. I enjoy taking a cutting, potting it up and then watching it grow over the next few months. There is a sense of satisfaction that only comes from this type of plant propagation and until you've achieved it, you won't understand - so give it a go. More details...

Using leaves to propagate plants isn't as silly as it sounds. In fact, if you're trying to propagate begonias and african violets it's probably the most successful method you could possibly use. This technique will grow small plants straight from the veins of your leaf and it likes quite weird. More details...

Soil layering is a great technique that you can employ on a plant which happens on site. Rather than taking a cutting and growing it through some plant medium, a branch is scored and then repositioned in its own soil. A short time later it produces its own root structure and you have a whole new plant. More details...

Air layering is similar except that you don't need the branch to connect with the soil - a great advantage if the stem you're using is far away from the soil. A compress of nutrients and growing medium is wrapped around the scarred tissue and held in place until this too produces its own plant. More details...

Finally, grafting is another plant propagation technique. It can be quite complex so I won't discuss it much in this post only to state that slow growing shrubs and plants can easily be grafted to produce much faster results. Grafting is also used to combine the best characteristics from two or more plants so that the chance of plant survival or aesthetic value is easily realised.

The world of plant propagation is incredible and if you haven't tried it yet then maybe it's time to take your gardening hobby to the next level. Have a go. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your successes.

You can call yourself a 'real' gardener now.

Posted by Stuart | Permalink | Comments (0)