“Spring has sprung .. the grass is riz… I wonder where the birdies is?”
Well, I know the magpies are out and about. Many of them are on my lawn each day when I feed them and other birds. So far I haven’t been troubled with any of them swooping! I operate on the thought that if I’m kind to them they will reciprocate!!
I have been out enjoying the days and admiring the beautiful sights of spring. The flowering trees look great in many areas around town just covered in blossom.
Banksia roses, both white and golden, are flowering beautifully in many gardens. The golden yellow variety is a nostalgic favourite of mine, as one grew over the front of my grandparents’ house in Mudgee.
Last year, as I drove by, it was still there and flowering just as I remembered first seeing it 70 plus years ago. The house would be well over 100 years old… Just a small country cottage that held a lot of love and where a family was raised all those years ago. Maybe next time I am in the area I will knock on the door and introduce myself to the current owners. Many memories held there.
I have also seen a wisteria in full flower blooming over an archway here in Locke Street.
The roses pruned in Palmerin street have been pruned so they will be in full bloom for Rodeo Week at the end of October.
The garden beds in Leslie Park are blooming nicely and the loropetalums on the corner of Guy and Fitzroy streets are “bloomin’ gorgeous” literally, looking spectacular as balls of pink/purple flowers…a delight every time I drive past. Well done to the council garden staff!
Another plant I’ve noticed starting to flower is pig face in both bright yellow, orange and purple. I must admit my ignorance in that I didn’t realise it was an Australian native until I was in Western Australia a few weeks ago.
Now that I’ve looked it up I know it is “carpobrutus” and is native to South Africa, Australia, California and South America. We have at least four species and two of the closely related genus “sarcozona”.
The name comes from two Ancient Greek words meaning edible fruit. In all the many times I’ve seen the plant I’ve failed to notice the fruit!! Particularly unobservant apparently! The common name refers to the fruit as they supposedly look just like a “pigs face”.
It is a great child friendly ground cover as, unlike many other succulents, it has no spikes or prickles. It increases the salinity of the soil and so stops many other plants/weeds from growing. Because of its root system, it is good for holding soil in place and can even survive being covered by sand. Guess this is why it grows so well in our coastal areas.
It also has many uses as a food source, both raw and cooked. The flowers and leaves can be added to salads ..salty but tasty! I haven’t tried them and don’t know if I’m that adventurous! The bright red fruit can be made into pickles, jams and chutneys. Like aloe, the juice/gel from the leaves is a great natural remedy for burns. Another of the many plants that have been used by the early inhabitants of our country.
I have been a fan of “Geraldton Wax” for many years and noticed a nicely rounded small shrub just covered in shades of pink in a garden. I asked and took a photo to share! I have seen them as tall shrubs before and growing wild in WA but doubt I’ve ever seen one so covered in flowers.
Another of my favourite border flowers is Lobelia and I saw the prettiest one I think I’ve ever encountered, recently. It was just a ball of bright blue flowers edged in white… so striking! I am going to the nurseries to see if I can find some plants.
I also have sunflowers in many colours ready to plant but will have to find space for another as I’ve recently seen a pink one advertised!! They come in so many colours, sizes and forms these days… but my space is limited! They make such a statement as a cut flower.
Don’t forget the Horticultural Society’s Garden Competition and Spring Flower Show in early October and of course the Floral Window Competition on the Rodeo weekend.
Warwick Horticultural Society is the oldest Horticultural Society in Queensland and possibly Australia and this is something to be proud of and supported.
As I’m writing this I am looking at clouds that are promising the rain that we so badly need as do so many parts of the western areas of eastern Australia.
My prayer is that by the time you read this we will have had some good falls to help our gardens and the farmers.
