Broms. Part 1: In the beginning...

The other place where I 'play gardens' is in Wheelers Hill. It is here that a potted exotic garden is evolving in a small courtyard adjacent to our kitchen.

About a third of the Bromeliad collection with a few 'ring-ins'

My fascination with bromeliads in particular began about 3 years ago. I've read most of the Bromeliad Society of Australia's handbook on these plants but as yet I haven't really acquired a great understanding of the species. In deciding what to put where, I encountered that same old frustration of being restricted by climate and available position (that is if you are courting success).  However, I am stubbornly collecting the bromeliads that I find interesting and putting them where I really, really want to place them, regardless of the consequences. They are located outdoors except for one space inside the kitchen that accommodates a rotation of plants, dependant upon what is in flower or is just plain showy.

On speaking to a member of the Society at a plant show he informed me that bromeliads are hardier than they look and are very adaptive to home environments, that is if you persevere in your preferred position for about 3 years and the plant hasn't died in the meantime! Bromeliads come in many varieties and in nature have adapted to environments as diverse as rainforests and deserts, as well as adapting to altitudes ranging from sea level to over 4,000 meters. The majority of them are native to the tropical Americas however a few of them may be found in the American subtropics with one group found in tropical West Africa.

The temptation is to keep these plants moist but some of them have the tendency to develop a white, powdery mildew around the base if overly wet (and can rot at the base). As the aspect of the majority of bromeliads at 'Wheelers' are subject to the unpredictable Melbourne weather it is difficult to control their exposure to the elements, and the pots are too heavy to move too often. However, as yet I haven't lost any plants and several of them have had new plants emerging (pups) which is very exciting.

My plan in later blogs is to highlight some of the individual bromeliads. I have recently 'planted' the tops of a couple of store bought pineapples (also members of the Bromeliad family) and am hopeful that in about 3-4 years that they may fruit; nothing ventured, nothing gained!
G.

Spring is in the air...

Camellias are on show, the flowering quince (above) is coming to life, the scent of pink blossom fills the air. The more constant warmth invites you into the 'outdoor room'. One can only wax lyrical at this time of the year. 

However, on the down side, and yes there is usually a down side, the wandering jew (politically incorrect I believe) and the onion weed are rampant. Months of 'laissez faire' gardening is evident and there is a lot of work to be done. Despite this I'm sure that St Fiacre, patron saint of gardeners, is smiling and I have  a renewed enthusiasm and energy to fluff up the garden. Here are some more flower pics from Kallista for you.

Note the little bird in the weeping cherry

Fun Fungi!

                                                           I know, long time no blog!

It is easy to ignore the garden in winter as the rain and cold are not really conducive to spending much time in it. Regardless there are still lots of interesting things happening, including the appearance of diverse varieties of fungi (although apparently most reveal themselves in Autumn). Kallista (as in our house & garden) is in a very damp and dark situation, opposite a creek. This makes it a perfect environment for moisture seeking fauna and flora. Having said that fungi can be found in many diverse global habitats, including deserts.

Here are some 'Fun Fungi that we located and thanks go to PK for some of these wonderful pics. 

Now, for a little background on these organisms. According to the "Australian National Botanical Gardens" website what you see in the garden is just the tip of the iceberg. Around 90% of the organism is underground and the part that you see on the surface has the function of producing and dispersing spores. The underground component, the mycelium, remains there throughout the year.

 

Fungi interact with other organisms, some in a parasitic fashion and others are beneficial to plants. As yet I haven't tried to identify ours and their relationship to their hosts except for this yellow one which I stumbled upon in the literature and our garden. It is most likely to be a Cytarria gunnii that enjoys the company of our Nothofagus (southern beech).

More Autumn @ Kallista images

Went up to Kallista again on Thursday. The day was cool and the light only moderate however, the colour of most of the deciduous trees was more vivid than the week before. Here are some more images.

Copper beech

Autumn in the Hills

                 Autumn has arrived at Kallista. However, as is the case with gardens that have a variety of Autumn species not all the trees are at their best at the same time. Each week presents a new display of colour and this week most of the maples are showy, whereas the gingkos for example are still green. Today I'll just show you some of the maple colour and introduce you to Robbie, my truly excellent gardening companion.

Robbie at work

G.

Ginger plants

Sorry for the delay in creating a new post but I became a little bored with the last one that I was writing (intermittently) and so I've decided to move on and publish what is new in the garden at present.

There is nothing more satisfying than something that grows easily from something pilfered in the neighbourhood!
I have always admired these plants and they are certainly abundant in many gardens of the Dandenongs. They have been in bloom recently and are wonderfully fragrant.
They produce a fragrance that is not overpowering and does not overwhelm you like the heady perfume of some gardenias can, more a gentle perfume that pervades the garden.

The specimen in this blog was seconded from the roadside at Kallista. It has had nothing but neglect and is flourishing.

Hmm...I'm often surprised when I actually research the plants in my gardens as it often leads to the questioning of my choice of plant. This plant variously known as: Hedychium Gardnerianum or Butterfly Ginger or Ornamental Ginger or Kahila Garland Lily is a class one weed! In fact it is one of New Zealand's worst rainforest weeds.

It is a perennial rhizamatous plant that grows to around 2 meters high. It is very hardy in many climates despite its tropical origins. The flowers are present from Summer into Autumn however the lush green foliage is present all year round.

This is obviously one plant that I need to keep in check. It is always the plants that grow beautifully and easily that attract the derogatory 'weed' label.


Friend or foe? I'll let you decide.
G.

Time for tea, Gingko that is...

Gingko biloba (or Maidenhair tree) is the national tree of China and is the single living species of the Gingko genus, plants that evolved in an era before flowering plants. Moreover, Gingkos are of ancient origins with fossils found of them that date back to the early Jurassic period.  And hey...it's a plant growing at Kallista that isn't poisonous!

I have a Korean friend who was very excited when she discovered that I had a Gingko tree. Apparently the plants are very highly regarded in Asia for their medicinal qualities, particularly when you use their leaves to make tea or a tincture. Well, being the curious person that I am I had to give the tea a go, didn't I? After finding a recipe I proceeded to inspect my poor little trees; there are two. Again the usual story at Kallista whereby the plants have to compete with one and other for the basics in life and so both of these lovely little trees are probably a bit stunted in growth and are growing in unusual postures to find some light. So I thought. However after a little research I discovered that 'erratic' branches are not uncommon and gulp, they can grow as big as 35 metres.



Anyway, I made the tea (only a half quantity as I didn't want to denude the trees). Conclusion: I think that it is not an unpleasant taste but perhaps it is one where you have to convince yourself that the Gingko is doing you some good. I also tried a commercial tea which was of a green tea base and had 15% Gingko leaf as well as fennel, licorice, peppermint, cinnamon bark, vanilla and caramel flavours. This was far more exciting, if not therapeutic.


Gingko tea recipe: 
Add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 teaspoon of dried Gingko or 1 tablespoon (~5 leaves) of fresh Gingko. Sweeten as desired. (The tincture recipe had 500mls of vodka in it!)
But be warned. There are claims that Gingko will enhance your memory, ward off dementia and help your circulation however, there are also medical warnings regarding its anticoagulant and allergenic effects.

In Autumn the leaves of the Gingko tree turn bright yellow and are very pretty. So, when the time comes, I will include a picture of them along with the other spectacular deciduous trees. Now what was I saying? Yes, the Gingko biloba is great for your memory....
G.