Monday, May 19, 2025

Plants

ABG wetland holding pond 2023 ABG wetland holding pond 2023
Botanic Gardens

Reflecting on the Adelaide Botanic Garden Wetlands

Dr Leonie J. Scrive 996 Views 0 Comments ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

By Dr Leonie J. Scriven

Water is a precious resource and vital to any successful horticultural venture. The Adelaide Botanic Garden had the vision and opportunity to diversify its potential water sources used to irrigate its living collection. Through the creation and development of a managed aquifer storage and recovery system, the botanic gardens can now use groundwater to irrigate the botanic gardens and has, in addition, created a wetland habitat used for teaching and horticultural training.… Continue reading

Read More
Architectural landmark – the Tropicarium at University of Tübingen Botanic Garden Architectural landmark – the Tropicarium at University of Tübingen Botanic Garden
Botanic Gardens

Old gardens underpin new science

John Fitsimmons 1025 Views 0 Comments ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Words and images supplied By John Fitzsimmons

Botanic gardens are museums of living plants where botanists and horticulturists work together. Understandably, many of the world’s oldest and most respected botanic gardens began in association with places of learning – universities, churches, and under the patronage of wealthy benefactors.… Continue reading

Read More
Juniper berries (Image: Bronislaw Drozka, Pixabay) Juniper berries (Image: Bronislaw Drozka, Pixabay)
Plant PalettePlants

Gin – juniper and ?

Clive Larkman 780 Views 0 Comments ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

By Clive Larkman

When it comes to food and drink, like many other items in daily life, we are dictated by fashion and trends. Currently, we are in the middle of a boom in gin distillation. This has replaced the mass development of boutique, artisan or small batch breweries.… Continue reading

Read More
PSHB Beetles are less than 2mm in length, about the size of a sesame seed PSHB Beetles are less than 2mm in length, about the size of a sesame seed
Botanic Gardens

PSHB – the perfect invader

Chelsea Payne 1285 Views 0 Comments ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

By Chelsea Payne

Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) has emerged as a significant tree pest in Perth, Western Australia, and presents a threat to Australia’s incredible native flora, and our thriving horticulture and agriculture industries.

Described as the ‘perfect invader,’ the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle Euwallaceae fornicatus tunnels into living host trees and shrubs creating extensive galleries within structural stems.… Continue reading

Read More
Fuchsia ‘Parliament’ with its pretty double flowers (Image: Weald View Gardens) Fuchsia ‘Parliament’ with its pretty double flowers (Image: Weald View Gardens)
Fuchsia

Appealing and popular any way you say it

John Fitzsimmons 768 Views 0 Comments ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

By John Fitzsimmons

One of the most perennially popular garden plant genus worldwide has a name that is just as widely mis-pronounced, mostly by English speakers. However, that doesn’t seem to affect its widespread and continuing appeal.

Fuchsias are among the most universally popular and instantly recognised garden plants.… Continue reading

Read More
Clive Larkman (left) with Lloyd Traven from Peace Tree Farm, Pennsylvania. (Image: Clive Larkman) Clive Larkman (left) with Lloyd Traven from Peace Tree Farm, Pennsylvania. (Image: Clive Larkman)
Plant PalettePlants

USA Lavender farming

admin 820 Views 0 Comments ,  , 

By Clive Larkman

As a plant for ornamental and medicinal use, lavender has a history as long as European settlement. Even with this history, there has been very little research and understanding of how to farm this tough little plant. There are numerous thoughts that the plant needs neither food nor water making it an interesting plant for the lazy farmer or those in poor countries with little rainfall.… Continue reading

Read More
Attention-grabbing new Fuchsia ‘Electric Lights’ (Image: John Fitzsimmons) Attention-grabbing new Fuchsia ‘Electric Lights’ (Image: John Fitzsimmons)
Grower Trials

Colour and wow in 2023

admin 919 Views 0 Comments ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

By John Fitzsimmons

Trade visitors to Ball Australia’s 2022 Grower Trials were surely engaged and inspired by the dozens of new lines added to the company’s already hundreds-strong catalogue for 2023 and beyond. Colour and form were keynotes plus some new categories.… Continue reading

Read More