Plant Palette

Characteristics: The characteristics of these two banksias are very similar. Both are fairly dense, medium shrubs, with Banksia ‘Red Rover’ being perhaps slightly taller and reaching 2m x 1.5m. The flowers are terracotta/red in  colour and the leaves are a bright mid-green.… Continue reading

Characteristics: A small-medium spreading shrub 1.5m x 3m. The flowers are orange and pink, individuals 54mm; conflorescence 114mm from August to June. It is distinguished from G. bipinnatifida by its deeply, twice-divided fine foliage and its larger spreading habit, and from G.… Continue reading

Characteristics: A groundcover that grows to 0.2m (h) x 1-2m (w) with orange flowers 35mm, Conflorescence 100mm, in bloom from July to November. It is distinguished from Grevillea nana ssp. nana by its smaller leaves with more numerous, closely aligned pinnae and its pink/orange flowers.… Continue reading

By Clive Larkman

Over the last few years I have written about as many herbs and edible plants as I can find. Many of these are part of the Columbian Exchange. This was a major shift in the food and culture of the entire world.… Continue reading

By Paul Carmen

Label Name: Banksia spinulosa

ACRA Registration: 1337

Family: Proteaceae

Origin: Collected from a coastal area in southern Victoria. Selected by Rod & Robyn Parsons for the strong honey fragrance of the flowers. Received in June 1999.

Characteristics: A moderately dense small shrub that grows to 1m(h) x 1.5m(w), The flowers are golden in colour with red styles, 50-200mm long x 40-80mm in diameter and bloom from  March to  August.… Continue reading

Label Name: Grevillea ‘Ochre Pokers’

ACRA Registration: 1258

Family: Proteaceae

Origin: Open pollination with one parent thought to be Grevillea ‘Canning Classic’. Applicant: Neil R Marriott, received November 2007.

Characteristics: A low spreading habit with huge showy flower racemes and soft once divided leaves.… Continue reading

Label Name: Correa ‘Green Dream’

ACRA Registration: 1788

Family: Rutaceae

Origin: A chance seedling selection by Peter Ollerenshaw of Bywong Nursery. Application received February 2020.

Characteristics: Correa ‘Green Dream’ is a low-growing shrub to approximately 1m x 1m. It has pale green, bell-shaped flowers that occur during autumn and winter.… Continue reading

By Paul Carmen

Label Name: Banksia spinulosa var. cunninghamii ‘Lemon Glow’

ACRA Registration: 43

Family: Proteaceae

Origin: Banksia ‘Lemon Glow’ is a pale-yellow flowered form of Banksia spinulosa var. cunninghamii first selected from a wild population on French Island, Victoria, by Mr A Salkin.… Continue reading

By Clive Larkman

There are thousands and thousands of plants in the world, growing in almost every climatic zone. They have a wide range of forms and shapes, and includes flowering and non-flowering plants. The flower colours are diverse and cover most common shades.… Continue reading

Label Name: Calandrinia balonensis ‘Mystique’

ACRA 1340 (registered Nov 2010)

Family: Portulaceae

Origin: Arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. Applicant: The University of Queensland (Dr Dion Harrison) The Centre for Native Floriculture, plant breeding and selection programme.

Characteristics: A compact, small herbaceous shrub, 150mm(H) x 400mm (W), The flowers are vibrant pink-purple (mauve) and are 40mm in diameter.… Continue reading

By Clive Larkman

There are multiple genera of plants that have real naming issues that confuse the general public and irritate those working in industry or academia. A big one is the misnomers with Geranium and Pelargonium. Both of these are legitimate Latin genus names and both are used as common names.… Continue reading

By Paul Carmen ACRA register

Label Name: Citrus australasica ‘Alstonville’

Family: Rutaceae

ACRA Registration: 1125

Origin: The cultivar originated at Alstonville on the far north coast of NSW and was selected in 1989. Application received on 16 May 2005, applicant: Judy Viola.… Continue reading

By Clive Larkman

Last month I raised the subject of growing plants for our pets as the pet food industry is worth in excess of $2 billion per annum and there is no reason the nursery industry cannot be part of that.… Continue reading

By Dr Josekutty

Red papaya is a delicious fruit, rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, with low calories and low-medium glycaemic index, making it an excellent Super Food.

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a little-known Super Food. Australian Papaya: 2020 Nutrition Review has detailed the great nutritional potential of papaya.… Continue reading

By Clive Larkman

For many of us, one of the best things in life is the opportunity to eat food from all over the world. Stimulating the taste buds also helps us enjoy life and push through good and bad times.… Continue reading

Fleming’s Nurseries, Australia’s leading grower of ornamental, fruit and native Australian trees and plants is delighted to introduce ‘Distylium,’ an exciting new all-rounder shrub to the Australian market. 

To quote legendary plantsman and breeder Dr Michael Dirr, “These are the best plants that you have never heard of.”… Continue reading

By Clive Larkman

Bush tucker, Aussie food, native food, are some of the names used for herbs, fruit and other native edibles. It covers a broad range of edible plants that are native to Australia. The majority have some connection to Indigenous Australians as medicinal, herbal or food sources.… Continue reading

By Clive Larkman

The plant world is a large and fascinating part of the world’s biosphere. As horticulturists we engage in growing and using plants in business and daily life. The range is huge, from single cell organisms like algae to huge trees like the Californian Redwood.… Continue reading