June

RE-DESIGN, RE-ORGANISE AND RE-VITALISE

At this time of the year, why not consider revamping the garden. This is a time when you can relocate plants and rethink how your garden will look for the following Spring and Summer. Major structural changes can include moving paths, adding retainer walls, moving flowerbeds and moving plants to another position.

HINTS AND TIPS:

There are varieties of Bromeliads that will grow in shady areas under trees where not much else will grow. They do not require much soil and will happily grow in well-drained mulch. Their centres act as water-wells. Water at least once a week and you will be rewarded with spectacular colours in their leaves and unusual flower spikes.

Keep allowing winter sunshine to get into the garden.

At this time of year Salvia leucantha, the Mexican Sage bush, is flowering with long spikes of purple velvet flowers. The Tree Daisy (Montanoa) is quite showy and grows to about three (3) metres and also flowers in June. Callicarpa (Bead Bush) is a little uncommon, grows to about two (2) metres with violet-blue berries and can be readily grown from cuttings.

Winter-flowering Azaleas, Camellias, Daphne, Hebe, Luculia, French Lavender, Strelitzia, Kalanchoe, Osmanthus fragrans, Pointsettia, and Tibouchina all help to put lots of colour into the garden.

For a shaded spot, Bergenia with its large leaves and spikes of pink flowers would work well and even in a narrow strip along the side of your home or fence. Bergenia flowers can be picked for the vase too. Zygocactus has become quite popular and makes a showy basket plant preferably hanging to appreciate the flowers. After flowering, move to a shade house or sheltered spot and protect from snails.

The Perennials and Annuals to plant this month include Gerberas, Canna, Perennial Aster, Liatris, Michaelmas Daisy, Tuberose, Alyssum, Cineraria, Hollyhocks, and Primula. Russell Lupins too for those members with gardens in the highlands. Liatris is apparently commonly called Blazing Star which has cylindrical feathery heads of flowers in summer, quite easy to grow and belongs to the daisy family.

Gladioli can be planted and will flower in approximately 120 days for late spring and summer. These bulbs have changed shape and height in recent years. The new hybrids having ruffled petals, butterfly-shaped flowers with interesting blotches and markings. The only drawback (besides its association with Dame Edna Everage) they are prone to attack by thrips. And keep an eye out for "garden escapers", once garden specimens but now declared enemies such as: broom, Singapore daisy, bridal creeper, asparagus fern, ivy, purple morning glory, periwinkle, Japanese honeysuckle, seaside daisy, gazania, erica, arum lilies, pampas grass, pigface and Italian lavender - would you believe! Locally you can include: agapanthus, Dietes, fountain grass, honeysuckle and Kiama's Taiwan lily - quite a list.

Garden Maintenance

Plant deciduous trees at this time. Flowering cherries and crab apples, such as Malus floribunda, the Japanese Crab Apple, can make for a wonderful Spring display. They do not set fruit and so there are no problems with fruit fly. Always consider the height and location of the tree. Do not plant near power lines or where they can interfere with paths and driveways. Many deciduous trees grow much larger than the gardening books say, as the climate in the Illawarra is so mild it encourages them to do their best. Deciduous trees are excellent for summer shade while repeat fortnightly, till the first buds begin to open and they are then ready to pick.

Sprekelia formosissima (Jacobean Lily) has rich red flowers in a lovely unusual shape. The other two Liliums, one of which has actually naturalised (another garden escapee) round creeks and roads is Lilium formosanum which flowers from January to March and the Ifafa Lily (Cyrtanthus) which is best planted in a clump and will flower when the spring flowering bulbs are finishing. Ifafa lilies are smaller and have cream or salmon tubular flowers.

Prune during winter all Pentas - fairly hard. To keep compact and bushy pick flowers with long stems through summer and autumn. Luculia too, straight after flowering. The stems should be cut back to a healthy bud and then apply complete fertilizer or some rotted cow manure. Protect from both frosts and hot, drying winds. Shrimp plants (Beloperone or Drejerella guttata), both the pink and lemon, Abelia, Abutilon, and Plumbago can all be pruned. Perennial Aster, Canna, Rudbeckia, and Shasta daisies if they have been growing in the one possie for three years or more can be lifted and divided.

Orchids are putting out their flower spikes and they make wonderful indoor plants. They can be planted out in a "rainforest area". Rough up the soil, take the orchid out of the pot, remove all old bark and then place directly on top of the soil with the roots spread out and old ones cut off. Pour new bark pieces over the roots to anchor them. They will survive and flower, unless the possums get the flower heads first! The best time to divide or move orchids is after flowering has finished.

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