Buckinghamia celsissima, commonly known as the Ivory Curl Tree is in full flower in local gardens at this time of the year.
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The main attractive feature of the Buckinghamia is its stunning pendulous spikes of cream, curly flowers that cover the glossy green foliage in late summer and early autumn. The sweet perfume of the flowers is particularly evident in the morning.
Honeyeaters and bees are attracted to the flowers. Flowers usually appear about three years after planting.
Buckinghamia is a fast growing native of north eastern Australia and grows to about 8 metres in the average garden settings. In its natural, rainforest setting it can attain up to 25 metres.
The Ivory Curl Tree is suitable for most areas other than those that experience heavy frosts in winter. A sunny, moist, well-drained position in soil that has been enriched with compost is preferred.
THINK COLOUR
When deciding on plants to add to a garden, some worthy of consideration provide colour in the autumn months, as well as being quite drought-tolerant, once established in the garden. These include:
* Gordonia - a long-flowering shrub or small tree that becomes covered in large, white flowers with bright yellow centres. Gordonias can be grown as a specimen tree or in a hedge formation.
* Tibouchina – a small to medium tree that produces an abundance of flowers ranging in colour from pink through to vivid purple. “Jules”, a smaller variety, is suitable for pot culture.
* Sasanqua camellias – require very little water, and available in varieties that produce flowers in a range of colours including white, red and pink. They flower from late summer through to winter and are excellent subjects for hedge growth. Unlike the more familiar Camellia japonicas that flower later in the season, camellia sasanquas produce multiple smaller flowers with repeated flowering.
Autumn crocus produce erect, white flowers mixed with thin, green stems, from bulbs. If left to multiply in an area, they will soon form a low garden edging or clump. They prefer light shade.
Sedum, such as “Autumn Joy”, “Brilliant” or one of the purple-leaved varieties, produce long-lasting heads of pink flowers. They should be planted into a sunny spot. Sedum grow to about 30cm.
DOUBLE BENEFIT
Broad beans and peas in a vegetable garden provide a double benefit. In addition to providing nutritious food, the plants also add nitrogen to the soil, enriching it for subsequent crops.
In areas where frosts are not prevalent, peas can be sown and will soon produce flowers and, subsequently, tasty pods. In areas where winter temperatures are much lower, broad beans are a better choice as these plants can withstand much colder conditions. However, broad beans are also most suitable in warmer areas.
As peas and broad beans are both vigorous growers, they need the right growing conditions for strong growth. A sunny position is desirable, with well-draining soil. Some dolomite that has been added to the soil will assist in overcoming any acidic excesses in the soil.
Adding general animal fertilisers, except poultry manure, to the soil will be most beneficial as they contain plenty of organic material. Poultry manure is high in nitrogen, which plants in this family produce themselves. Once the manure has been spread over the soil, some sulphate of potash can also be added by sprinkling it over the soil. Then this mixture should be dug as deeply as possible into the soil.
After leaving the soil to settle for a few days the seeds can be planted into it by placing them into a 10cm wide furrow that is about 3cm deep. Peas should be planted about 2cm apart, while 10cm should be allowed between broad bean seeds. The seeds can then be covered with the soil removed to make the furrow.
Minimal watering is essential, with an initial application and then applying more only when the first two leaves appear. Over-watering may result in poor germination.
Providing the weather remains warmer, peas will produce their first flowers in about six weeks, while broad beans will not begin to crop until mid-spring.
BEETROOT
Beetroot is another vegetable that is easy to grow, with young plants being ready for harvest in 7-10 weeks.
However, plants may be kept in the ground for longer periods. As with carrots, beetroot seeds are best planted directly into the garden beds. Seeds should be placed between 40 and 60cm apart.
If beetroot seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours prior to planting, the seeds will be easier to separate.
Thinning is nearly always required as seedlings emerge. Plants that are not thinned will result in overcrowding, producing plants that will not grow to edible size. Regular watering of beetroots will often result in woody, inedible cores.
Beetroot grows best in soil that has a pH range of 6 to 7.5. The healthiest and tastiest beetroot result when they have been able to access boron. A light application of boron at sowing stage will be beneficial.
GARDEN CLUB
Maitland and District Garden Club will hold its annual general meeting on Friday, February 24 at 7.30pm in the Masonic Hall, Grant Street, Maitland. The club will celebrate its 50th birthday on March 28 and would like to contact former members (49 333703).