Spring 2007

A New Bed and Breakfast Cottage Winter saw us very busy re-vamping the garden, having a new Bed and breakfast Cottage built and lots of painting, purchasing, decorating and garden changes as well as the usual garden maintenance. Winter started off looking promising weather-wise then there was quite a dry spell which allowed us to get busy out in the garden. Then back to the wet weather again, (and so cold!). Overall we have had better rainfall than last year but our 'Lake' hasn't filled this year and we believe it won't as we rely on run-off from the hill and road and much needed rain just soaked into the soil. Springtime from Bob's perspective. For some time we have been pushing to get that next B&B cottage completed and finally for the last week of September our first guests were able to be accommodated. At last we could turn our heads sideways and take up the challenge of the weeds and other tasks that we had for some time turned a blind eye to. The wattles and pomaderris had coloured the garden with yellows, creams and gold but by late September they were fading and were being replaced with shades of purple, lilac, pink, blue and red. Most dominant were the prostantheras that created centres of attraction with shades of purples and pink. The Geraldton waxes have also been a delight. There is a range of colours from white, pink and purple, plus a range of flower shapes and sizes. Equally, we do well with isopogons which appear to adapt to quite a range of soil types and drainage conditions. Because of their ease of propagation from cuttings, their showy flowering habits and the fact they do so well we have numbers of them scattered about the garden. Tetrathecas also respond well to some of the moister positions and cope well here in both semi shade and open positions. One plant in particular is a lilac coloured, dense mound, in full sun and exposed to whatever comes its way. Many of these plants last only a couple of seasons but they are easily replaced. I have found for best effects these are just brilliant in massed plantings of up to 20-30 plants. Dampieras also are a fine purplish feature in the garden. Dozens of eremophilas have been planted out over recent months, mainly on raised mounds formed from recent excavation works or in the drier sections of the garden. As with most other plants I prefer to provide plenty of space. I am finding them useful for the harsher sites such as near large trees. Some species are coping with semi shade in our milder climate. while some of the Central Australian plants I select sites with maximum sun and drainage. Interestingly, I have been able to strike cuttings from grafted plants and succeeded in growing these on in our own garden soils. The lesson here is to give anything a go. One plant that attracts much attention is Acacia cognata Lime Majik. It has been in full flower for weeks in a prominent, open position.At 3m height its soft golden, willowy form draws exclamations of admiration from 50m away.The other most outstanding plant is Eremophila muelleriana. This is a grafted speciman in full flower and exuding fine health. Its deep purplish flower and beautiful 2 tone foliage stands it apart. I have been testing out a method of modifying the soil for better drainage for specific plants. Over the time I have had numerous plants die in pots after I had potted them on. I am digging the potting mix from those pots into sites prior to planting lechenaultias and some of the eremophilas where I feel the soil is too heavy. It is one way of using up the soil and it may just be a way of coaxing some plants to grow where currently they may prefer not to. So this has been a wonderful spring so far. I trust that our readers have similar satisfaction with their gardens. Bob. Springtime Wonders Enjoying the Springtime garden Reflections of Bob Over the years we evolved a garden design that suited out taste and needs. It could have been better, it could have been worse, but that is where things are. Areas of open space have been retained for aesthetic, access and other practical reasons and as a consequence we have reached the point of no more area left to expand into new beds. As with most gardeners, we now must remove plants to add others. With a very wide range of genera throughout the garden, it is a case of arriving at a balance, while planting in the appropriate positions to achieve the best results from the various species. It is somewhat frustrating to have a selection of say 1000 plants and have space in which to plant out about 350 smaller species of plants. The correas must fit into this scheme of things. Because we have the OPCCA correa collection we must keep these plants in all their various forms and colours as a showpiece for all to see. Latest Spring Pictures