The “flowers” of Christmas Bush, which are actually the coloured sepals that form after the smaller white flowers have finished, have been sold in markets for well over a century. They last well in a vase, particularly if the stems are re-cut under the water every several days. As the majority of plants that have been available over many years have been raised from seeds, colour has been quite variable.

In past years it has generally been advisable when buying a NSW Christmas Bush to do so while the plant was in “flower”, as this was the only way to guarantee a well coloured product.

However, more reliable clones have been developed, with “Albery’s Red” being the main one that is available. Other varieties are being developed and trialled, particularly for use in the cut-flower market. Albery’s red variety has a compact growth, is dark red in colour and is a more reliable and early, free-flowering variety. A dwarf form is now available.

“Johanna’s Christmas” will grow to a maximum height of about one metre. Christmas Bush plants benefit from pruning, as this will help to keep the plants compact, with younger, more vigorous wood being encouraged, rather than older, less productive branches.

Cutting the flowering stems for indoor decoration is an ideal way in which to satisfy the pruning requirements, as well as allowing the flowers to be enjoyed during the festive season.

Combining Christmas Bush in a vase with hydrangea flowers provides a most attractive addition to Christmas decorations.

Bush camellias and azaleas can also be pruned now as this treatment can be used to remove older, less productive wood and encourage new growth.

This will result in a much better flowering display next season.

Camellias and azaleas will survive a hard prune, cutting back into old wood.

While pruning these plants, it is a good opportunity to check for borer damage. Borers come in different forms but their presence is evident through a mass of fine sawdust-type material that can be found near the junction of branches and stems.

If this material is scraped away, it will usually be noticed that areas of bark, often in “trails”, have been chewed away. If there is serious borer infestation, then the trunk or branch may be almost completely ring barked. A hole will be present, going into the plant material. This is where the borer has been working.

Various options are available for treatment, with some gardeners having a preference for a particular action. 

Some like to insert a piece of soft wire into the hole, in an attempt to get the borer, which will be in the form of a grub. The hole can be sprayed with a general-purpose insecticide. A piece of putty or other soft material can be used to plug the hole.

In some instances it may be preferable to remove the affected part of the plant completely by sawing or cutting it away from the main plant. As the plant will have been under some stress because of the borer attack, an application of Seasol will help it regain good root structure and good growth. Regular inspections of the plant will ensure that treatment can be carried out before the problem becomes too severe.

Home gardeners growing zucchini plants sometimes comment that the fruits begin to form and then drop off the plant. This is most probably due to lack of pollination. Even though there may be bees around the garden, the flowers on zucchini plants are rather large and effective pollination may not occur.

But it is possible to hand-pollinate the flowers. Hand-pollination is relatively easy once the individual male and female flowers have been identified. The female flowers will have an immature zucchini at the base of the petals, while this is absent in male flowers.

Initial flowering on a plant will have male flowers, but female flowers will soon be produced. Place some of the pollen from the male flower onto the female flower. A small paintbrush can be brushed over the male flower and the yellow pollen particles will adhere to the bristles. These can then be transferred to the female flower.

A second method involves removing the male flower from the stem and placing it into the female flower, putting the flower in an upside-down position.

If pollination has been successful, then a young zucchini will soon form at the base of the female flower. The fruits should be removed while they are still small, soon after the flower withers on the end of the fruit. Regular picking will assist in maximising fruit production. They young fruits will also have more flavour.

Cut flowers, such as hydrangeas, are popular for inclusion in floral decorations at this time of the year.

However, if they are to be picked during times of higher temperatures, flowers will last longer if the plants are watered well the day before and then the flowers are cut early the next morning. Cut stems should be placed into water as soon as the stems have been cut.

Stems can be re-cut, under water, at a later time, to prevent air bubbles.