Rosemary is widely recognised as the main plant associated with ANZAC Day. It is used as a hedge around many cenotaphs as it can be trimmed to a low height. Plants have fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves.
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Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) is generally grown as a dense shrub with masses of fragrant, thin, dark green leaves. Its flowers are usually small and blue in colour, although pink and white-flowered varieties are also available.
Plants can grow between 60cm and 1.5metres in height, according to the particular variety selected, making them suitable for varied uses in garden plans. Prostrate-growing varieties are also available.
Rosemary is particularly suitable for growing as a hedge as plants respond well to pruning, provided that older wood is not cut into. The pieces removed from the plant can be used as cuttings to establish new plants. Late summer is the preferred time for this to happen.
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Because rosemary has smaller leaves it is generally more drought-tolerant. Growing conditions similar to its native habitat, the Mediterranean, will assist in ensuring good, long growth. Well-drained positions in full sun are ideal.
In addition to its value as a landscape plant, rosemary is also most useful in culinary applications. It can be used to flavour lamb, pork, chicken and fish dishes, and as barbecue skewers.
Some of the different varieties of rosemary include:
'Gallipoli', which forms a large, grey-green shrub to 1.2m in height and has mauve flowers borne in profusion between late July and October.
'Tuscan blue' has stiff, upright stems, making it an ideal hedging plant.
'Gorizia' forms a substantial bush to 1 metre. Its leaves are highly prized in Italy for cooking.
'Corsican Blue' is an upright bush variety. Its fine leaves have an intense fragrance. Rich blue flowers are also a feature.
'Huntingdon Carpet' is a prostrate grower, reaching about 25 centimetres in height. Plants are covered in beautiful blue flowers. It looks most effective when looks planted so it tumbles over rocks or a wall. It is also suitable for growing in a hanging basket.
'Salem' is a rosemary that came to Australia from Auckland, New Zealand. It's an upright grower, attains a height of just under a couple of metres, with a width of about a metre, and makes a great hedging plant with spikes of deep blue flowers through summer.
AUTUMN FEATURE
A tree that is currently creating an attractive, and, perhaps, more unusual picture in local gardens and parks is the Koelreuteria. Koelreuterias are generally available in two varieties; Koelreuteria paniculata and Koelreuteria bipinnata. In both forms somewhat insignificant yellow flowers are formed.
However, it is the resultant seed pods that provide the attractive autumn feature. Both varieties produce unusual seed pods that resemble Chinese lanterns and contain white seeds that turn black when they are ripe.
The seed pods form an umbrella-like covering over the upper parts of tree. K. paniculata has yellow-orange seed pods; while K. bipinnata produces pods that have a brighter colouring, in a carmine red-salmon colouring.
Both trees may have the common name "Golden Rain Tree" whilst Koelreuteria may also be known as the Pride of China. Koelreuterias are also considered by some to be the inspiration for the famous willow pattern design used on china over many years.
Koelreuteria trees originate from China, Taiwan and the rocky outcrops of East Asia and are relatively drought tolerant in Australia. Adequate irrigation when the tree is establishing its root system generally results in reduced water requirements at maturity. A position of full sun is preferred.
They will tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils. Fern-like foliage may turn to bronze-orange colours in autumn.
Because it has a slower growth rate, Koelreuterias are suitable for inclusion in medium-sized suburban gardens, as well as in streets and parks. Warm climates through to areas that have cool to cold winters are all suitable for cultivation.
Propagation can be from root cuttings, or from seeds. These should be planted when they have become black. The seeds should be placed in moist peat and held in the crisper section of the refrigerator for 3 months. In spring, the seeds should be just covered with potting mix in a pot that is kept in a warm moist position. Seedlings may vary from parent plants.
NEW VEGETABLES
As gardeners attempt to grow vegetables that are as nutritious as older, more traditional varieties, but which are also suitable for smaller garden areas, new varieties are becoming available that fulfill this purpose.
Beetroot "Mini Baby Beets", Cabbage "Mini Cannonball" and Cauliflower "Mini White" are all varieties that can be grown in smaller area, such as containers or pots, and yet still produce tasty crops.
Broccolini, which is a modern hybrid vegetable, formed by a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale, produces crops with stalks that are thinner than traditional broccoli. The florets are also sweeter and have a slightly peppery taste.
Pak Choi varieties are also suitable for pot culture and produce white as well as green stemmed plants. Tender, outside leaves can be harvested, or the whole plant can be used.
A full sun position should be selected for best results. The soil should have been enriched with compost or a general garden fertiliser, added prior to planting.
Vegetables growing in pots can be moved around to suit the current, and changing climatic conditions, including requirements for sun.
THINGS TO DO
- Flower Carpet roses are compact, growing to around 80 cm tall and wide and will flower profusely from spring to late autumn.
- Lawn armyworm is a common autumn lawn pest which feeds on grass blades during the late afternoon and early evening and causes rapidly expanding bare patches.
- Trim hedges before the colder weather sets in, to keep them compact and bushy from ground level.
Maitland and District Garden Club
geoffh.gardening@gmail.com
