Pittwater Life April 2017 Issue

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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
Interested in seed saving? Permaculture Northern Beaches will be holding a seed saving afternoon on Sun April 23 from 2-4pm at Bungan Edible Sanctuary. Apart from cost savings, saving seeds helps adapt plants to your local area. This is a regular event to exchange seeds, package up excess seeds for distributing at the PNB monthly meeting and share knowledge about seeds, seed saving and what grows well in our area. Admission to the ‘seed circle’ is by bringing along seeds that you are pretty sure are open-pollinated (not hybrid) and have been sourced from your own garden, or from someone you know. Alternatively you are welcome to bring some food or probiotic drinks to share around the table. If you would like to learn more or be involved in seed saving go to permaculturenorthernbeaches.org.au. Everyone welcome. – Lisa Offord Black Diamond crepe myrtles a sweet sight Through the ’80s and ’90s Sydney gardeners planted spring blossom trees that suffered through hot summer days. Its coloured foliage of dark leaved prunus was stunning in early spring against the lime green golden elms. Now in the 21st century, lucky gardeners can achieve the same brilliant explosion of colour with trees that will thrive in our coastal climate. Crepe Myrtles flower from early December until late autumn, with blossoms in a rainbow of colours from white to the darkest burgundy. The Indian Summer series have bright green foliage that offsets their cloak of colour. They are smaller-growing than the older varieties, making them the perfect street tree height. Now you can interplant them with the brilliant, newly released Black Diamond series. The vibrant nearly black foliage looks magic against the vivid colours of the flowers. There are seven colours to choose from, from pure white to blush pink, magenta and bright red. These trees are slightly smaller than the Indian Summer collection and grow just 2.5m to 3m tall. Grow them as a tall bushy shrub or train your tree onto a single stem and cut the top at the desired height where it will soon bush out. Crepe myrtles flower on new growth, so a light trim in early spring will improve the flowers. April is coming to the end of the flowering period, so get your orders in for Spring if stocks are limited. Garden Life Celebrating 25 Years APRIL 2017 69
Page 1:
Celebrating 25 Years STRAIGHT SHOOT
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FREE LOCAL MONTHLY INDEPENDENT DIST
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Your chance to ‘Shape 2028’ It
Page 10 and 11:
News Guide to 2017 ANZAC Details of
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News Beaches climate initiative The
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our hands LEFT: The boundaries of t
Page 18 and 19: News Go bush and help regenerate He
Page 21 and 22: Lend a ‘Hand’ for kids charity
Page 23 and 24: third annual Charity Golf Day at Cr
Page 25 and 26: Nothing but bouquets for Avalon Unc
Page 28 and 29: Straight Shooter Life Stories With
Page 30: Life Stories an only child,” she
Page 33 and 34: ACOP celebrates golden anniversary
Page 35 and 36: Young Life Equipping kids with skil
Page 37 and 38: Local Call Consigned to succeed Whe
Page 39 and 40: PL’s APRIL SURF CALENDAR April 1-
Page 41 and 42: Health & Wellbeing Arm yourself aga
Page 43 and 44: Focus on Allergy Week Seeing red sp
Page 45 and 46: Scale to rate your hunger As the we
Page 47 and 48: Health & Wellbeing Celebrating 25 Y
Page 49 and 50: particularly with granular scrubs.
Page 51 and 52: government and generators. I have w
Page 53 and 54: from 800g to 750g, but the company
Page 55 and 56: Part 10 of the legislation; and n P
Page 57 and 58: Trades & Services Celebrating 25 Ye
Page 59 and 60: the good life dining food crossword
Page 61 and 62: from $2 to $10.80 include egg custa
Page 63 and 64: Ninja can accommodate up to 40 gues
Page 65 and 66: For more recipes go to www.janelleb
Page 67: 25 26 27 28 29 Pittwater Puzzler 30
Page 71 and 72: Grevillea treat Give the birds a tr
Page 73 and 74: Travel Life Find a beat to suit you
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Pittwater Life April 2017 Issue

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