Pittwater Life April 2017 Issue

Garden Life
Garden Life
Happy hibiscus: moving
colour inside your home with Gabrielle Bryant
As the middle of
autumn approaches
and our gardens are
reeling from the deluge of
water that we have received
over the past weeks, it will
cheer you up to move some
colour inside and appreciate
your indoor garden.
Hibiscus have traditionally
been tropical outdoor
shrubs, but plant breeders
have worked hard to produce
new varieties for indoor
colour. Older varieties had
flowers that lasted for just
one day – but these new
babies have flowers that last
for four or five days before
fading. Hibiscus are not just
for the garden any more,
with residents of Canada and
Northern Europe growing
them indoors for many
years.
However, to keep hibiscus
happy indoors, there are a
few basic requirements.
Grow them on a sunny
window sill or in a bright
environment. They are
hungry plants, so feed
them with a weak solution
of fertiliser every time you
water. Thrive (for flowering
plants) is excellent.
Keep the foliage clean
by regular cleaning. Spray
the plants with warm water,
clean them in the sink or
use eco oil every two weeks.
Your hibiscus will reward you
with flowers to brighten your
home.
There are several new
collections – Island Dream,
Flamenco, or the new baby
Trade Winds. All are compact
bushy plants that will grow in
tubs or pots; they need very
little pruning and flower from
spring until winter sets in.
These new varieties will grow
in pots as small as 140mm
diameter, or you can grow
them on into large tubs.
Grow them outside in
summer and bring them
in for the cooler months.
They will flower until the
temperature drops below 12
degrees.
HISTORY
BEHIND
ANZAC
ROSEMARY
Rosemary is the symbol
of remembrance. Used by
the Greek scholars, who
valued it for its properties
to strengthen the brain,
this hardy herb was first
introduced to European
gardens by the Romans
who used it in chests to
keep the moths away.
Later in the 14th century
it was used as a sweetsmelling
scent to fight
infections.
Rosemary was burnt at
weddings, funerals and
other church festivals
through the medieval ages.
Today it is the symbol of
our Anzacs that have given
their lives for our future
times of peace and liberty.
Plant some now so that
each year you will have a
home-grown piece to wear
with pride on April 25.
Wild rosemary flowers
are pale lavender, but you
can choose many different
shapes, sizes and colours
from the many hybrid
varieties that are available,
dark blue, purple, white or
pink that will grow upright,
rambling or prostrate
across the ground or
cascading over a wall.
Salt-hardy and tough, this
native of the Mediterranean
thrives in light sandy soil
and full sun.
68 APRIL 2017
Celebrating 25 Years