The deciduous trees haven’t really started their autumn colouring yet, but there’s plenty of colour in the flowers we have flowering right now. Two plants that give a gorgeous yellow/orange hue in the garden are the Ginger Lily (Hedychium gardnerian) and Leonotis (Leonotis leonurus). Leonotis is also known as Lion’s Ear, Lion’s Tail, and WildContinue reading “More Autumn Colour”
Author Archives: The Flowerpot Pen
St Patrick’s Day
Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here in Australia where there is a very large group of people with Irish ancestry, along with many other countries, this day is a day to wear green, have a drink of Guinness or many, and say “Happy St Patrick’s Day!” to all and sundry. Another thing it’s ‘traditional’ to doContinue reading “St Patrick’s Day”
Autumn
Autumn seems to have hit. It’s been a bit grey and miserable here in the Western Districts. The garden isn’t without a bit of colour though, some roses are getting another flush of flowers and the late summer, early autumn flowers like Sedums are quite glorious. I’ve got a bit of an admission to make,Continue reading “Autumn”
Fuchsia Berries
One of the plants featured in my book ‘Unexpectedly Edible’ is the Fuchsia. These plants are grown for their enchanting flowers that look like ballerinas twirling en pointe with skirts floating in the breeze. They are among my very favourite plants and flowers, I have fond memories of a Fuchsia planted outside my bedroom windowContinue reading “Fuchsia Berries”
Episode 4
Episode 4 of The Flowerpot Pen Podcast will be dropping very soon! Available on Anchor, Acast, and Spotify so download one of these on to your favourite podcast listening device so you can subscribe and not miss out on a thing!
Naked ladies.
Well that got your attention didn’t it? What I’m talking about are Amaryllis belladonna. When you see them popping up in your garden and sometimes by the roadside, you know Autumn is on its way (or Fall for the Americans) Originally from Sth Africa, they would have been brought here to Australia as a gardenContinue reading “Naked ladies.”
Still Summery
It’s been a bit muggy here in South West Victoria, but the warm nights and long hot days have been interspersed with cloudy, cool days. Fairly typical for a Victorian summer. Summer grasses and weeds are still bursting out of the ground and invading garden beds. Another thing that’s been growing a bit wild isContinue reading “Still Summery”
Podcast alert
Episode three of The Flowerpot Pen podcast is available now on Anchor, Acast, and Spotify. In this episode I’ll have a quick look at talking to plants, also a study on how small gardens can feed as many pollinators as large gardens can. I’m not going into any of the topics I discuss in anyContinue reading “Podcast alert”
Summer rains
A series of large storm fronts trundled across the state of Victoria over the last week resulting in flooding, wind damage, and grass fires. Here in the Western Districts, and very close to home for me (too close to home for me), we experienced the lot. An enjoyable afternoon by a friend’s pool was cutContinue reading “Summer rains”
Pruning
One question I’m asked on a regular basis is how far can I cut this shrub back?” Well, as with lots of things in the garden, the answer can be varied. Not very helpful, I know… A general rule of thumb to follow for shrubs, especially woody shrubs like Lavender, Marguerite Daisies, and Rosemary, allContinue reading “Pruning”
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