They can be eaten raw in various ways, roasted, fried, chocolate coated or as flavouring to ice cream, and also provide a tasty addition to cooked recipes and are used in nut butters, biscuits, cakes and pies.

Macadamias are native to the subtropical east coast of Australia and are regarded by some as being the best quality nut in the world.

Macadamia trees can be grown from seed as well as cuttings, however grafted varieties will usually produce the best results, in a much shorter time frame.

Trees can reach 15 metres in height, although new, dwarf varieties are now available. These are suitable where available space is limited and the dwarf varieties produce a large crop of smaller sized nuts.

They should be grown in large pots. The potting mix should be changed every couple of years.

Nut production will be slower in cooler climates, however commercial quantities are grown locally.

Trees produce long sprays of delicate, sweet-smelling white or pink blossoms. Each spray of 40-50 flowers produces up to 15 nutlets which will eventually mature into nuts. The nuts fall to the ground between March and September each year.

The nuts of the Macadamia are encased in a hard, woody shell, which is protected by a green-brown fibrous husk. The husk will require sharp blows from a hammer or similar tool to open.

Some people recommend storing the nuts for up to six months so that they become sweeter tasting.

The discarded outer husks make good, long-lasting garden mulch.

Two edible species are grown. Macadamia tetraphylla originates from northern NSW and Macadamia integrifolia, from SE Queensland, make up most of the commercial varieties.

If the gardener is intending to include new rose plants in the garden, now is the ideal time to prepare the garden beds. A position that is open and sunny, and sheltered from strong winds is ideal for good rose growth and flower production.

Roses that have been planted so that there is good air flow between each plant will assist in the reduction of diseases such as fungal-based black spot from infesting the plants. Gardeners should consider this factor when deciding on the number of plants to include in the garden bed.

The area should be dug over well to a depth of about 20cm and organic material added to the soil so that it has time to rot down and become incorporated into the planting medium. The organic material can come from a variety of sources including crumbled cow manure, leaf mulch or well-rotted garden compost.

Lime should not be added at this time as it is likely to make the soil too acidic.

If the soil appears to have areas of clay and excess amounts of moisture are retained, then the addition of gypsum will help to overcome this problem. An amount of 2kg of gypsum per square metre should be dug into the soil prior to the addition of the organic material.

After several weeks, new rose plants can be placed into the prepared soil.

Many gardeners will be familiar with the large flowers that cover rhododendron plants during spring. A cool climate is generally required for successful growth; therefore they are not a common sight in local gardens.

Finding a cooler, shady position, with the selection of a variety that is more suited to warmer climates should result in success in growing this type of rhododendron. However, there is a variety that will produce the long, tubular blooms, in a wide range of colours in this area.

These plants are vireyas, otherwise known as tropical rhododendrons.

Extensive hybridization has produced plants that produce beautiful colours and that are suitable for growing in local gardens. With growth height varying from prostrate forms through to plants that reach four metres, varieties can be selected to suit most garden positions and requirements.

Vireyas have certain requirements if they are to be grown successfully.

A good level of moisture should be maintained, although the soil must remain well-drained.

A position with good natural light is preferred, including some direct sun light, although exposure to strong afternoon sun may result in burnt foliage. A position of light shade is also suitable. Plants prefer reasonably stable temperatures.

Vireyas can be grown in garden beds that have been enriched with organic matter. Containers and hanging baskets are also suitable for appropriate varieties.

Regular pruning will help achieve a bushy plant, resulting in a more attractive plant that will carry a good display of blooms.

Autumn through to winter and early spring is the main flowering period for vireyas, although some flowers can appear at most times of the year. Selection of a plant in bloom will ensure the preferred colour is obtained.

Selected varieties might include: “Carillion Bells”, producing red-pink flowers; “Hallowed Gold”, with rich orange-yellow flowers; “Robert Bates” with soft pink flowers; and “Simbu Sunset”, producing orange tubes with yellow centres.

Rhododendron lochiae, and R. notiale, with trusses of deep red tubular flowers, are both native Australian varieties.

geoffh.gardening@gmail.com

Maitland and District Garden Club