Pittwater Life June 2022 Issue

Garden Life
Garden Life
Just leave it – the tough-as-nails
plant that can tolerate neglect
Over 100 years ago The
Cast Iron Plant (main)
was one of the most
popular plants in Victorian
conservatories. For many
years Aspidistras were a
forgotten indoor plant but
recently, not surprisingly, they
have regained their popularity.
The name
describes them
well. They are
tolerant of
neglect, dryness,
low light,
heaters and air
conditioning
and only need
to be re-potted
every three
or four years,
nevertheless even
though they are
such forgiving
plants they will
respond well to some TLC,
regular water and fresh air.
These elegant plants are the
perfect plant for beginners or
busy working families.
Aspidistras can be grown
in shade or semi-shade in the
garden, where they will spread
to fill in dry, dull areas along
the side paths under trees.
They can also be grown in
pots indoors.
I have clumps of aspidistras
that have been established for
more than 20 years. I thought
I knew them well – until I
was amazed to see a flower
appear in May. Maybe due to
the unseasonal rain? I am not
sure. This tiny purple and gold
flower (below) has popped up
in a pot at soil level.
Traditionally grown as
foliage plants, Aspidistras
do occasionally flower but
only on mature
plants. Maybe
more frequently
than I realised
as the flowers
appear below
and behind the
tall glossy dark
green leaves that
grow up from
the rhizomes
under the soil.
After looking
carefully, I found
several flowers
that were hiding in the garden
under leaf litter.
Aspidistra flowers have no
scent, so they don’t attract
bees or insects; instead they
rely on snails and slugs at
ground level to fertilise them.
There are several varieties
of aspidistras with either
variegated or spotted leaves
but the most common is the
plain green Aspidistra Elatior.
The variegated varieties need
more light. All will grow in full
or semi-shade, but none will
tolerate direct sun.
with Gabrielle Bryant
70 JUNE 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991
Calla Lillies for Spring joy
In the language of
flowers, Calla lilies
are a symbol of love,
devotion, purity,
beauty and innocence.
There are many
legends and stories
where the lilies have
been sent by lovers
to their partners, or
used at funerals as
a token of respect.
These stories date back to the Queen
of Sheba who its written gave a calla
lily to King Solomon as a token of
devotion, circa the 10th century BC.
This is the month to plant calla lily
tubers. Callas are close relations of
white Arum lilies. They are dormant
in Winter but will give you flowers
from late Spring until Summer. They
are easy to grow, either in pots or in
the ground. The tall, arrow-shaped
leaves will appear as the weather
warms up.
Plant them in full sun or semishade
– morning sun is best; without
six hours of sunlight each day they
will not flower well.
Add plenty of blood and bone,
organic compost or cow manure to the
soil before planting. Plant the tubers
Escallonias are small- to medium-growing shrubs that make
the perfect flowering hedge of any size from a low border to
a privacy screen 3 metres high.
Escallonias look delicate, with their mass of tiny fragrant flowers
and small glossy green leaves, but their appearance is deceptive.
They are easy to grow, salt-tolerant and fast growing. They are
easily clipped into shape. They will grow in semi-shade but for the
most flowers, plant them in the full sun. Once established they
need little attention, surviving dry conditions and poor soil, but for
best results, as with most plants, regular water and some good soil
will give you the fastest growth.
For a taller hedge of 2-3 metres, choose from white Escallonia
Iveyi, pink Escallonia Apple Blossom, or bright pink Escallonia
rubra or red Escallonia Red Knight.
Escallonia Pink Elle and Newport Dwarf are low-growing
varieties for lower hedging of 1 metre and borders. Pink Pixie is
the baby perfect for pots and rockeries.
When planting a tall hedge, plant the shrubs 1 metre apart and
begin to clip them right from the beginning to keep the hedge
thick and strong. If you wait for the plants to grow tall before
clipping into shape, the hedge will never be thick to ground level.
For smaller varieties, 60cm apart is best.
The Local Voice Since 1991
at least 10cm deep in
well-drained, moist
garden soil. They need
good drainage, but
they must not dry out.
When planting the
tubers, plant them
with the rough side
up.
If you plant them
in pots, keep them
outside until the
flowers appear, then bring them inside
to enjoy their cheerful colour.
When your plants die down again,
next Winter you can leave them
alone to form a clump or lift them
to divide. The tubers will have small
bulblets on the side. Alternatively,
you can cut the tuber, making sure
that each piece has an ‘eye’ for new
shoots.
For a good selection buy the
packets of tubers that are available
now in garden centres. They can be
planted out next month. The list of
varieties available is immense. The
height of plants can range from
30cm to 75cm depending on variety,
and colours from pure white to
palest pink, red, burgundy, gold or
bronze.
Escallonia the flowering hedge
DIY propagation tubes
It is always good to find a new way to recycle
household goods a first time in-house, before
they are relegated to the recycle bin. Toilet
paper rolls are a commodity that any gardener
can easily put to good use. They make perfect
pots for propagating cuttings or planting
seeds, and once
established your
new plant can be
popped straight
into the ground
without disturbing
the roots and the
cardboard will
break down in the
ground.
1. Squash the empty
roll flat, creasing
the sides together,
open it up and match the creases together and
squash again. This will give you a square tube.
2. With sharp scissors cut from the bottom a cut
approximately 2.5cm long up each folded line.
3. Fold the four side flaps that have been made
inwards, overlapping to make a bottom of the
new tube planter.
4. Once folded sit the bottom of the tube into
water until soft. Then stand it upright with a
weight on top until dried. This will stick the card
together.
5. Now you are ready to plant. Remember to use
seed raising mix or propagation mix.
JUNE 2022 71
Garden Life