Saturday, April 5, 2025

Plant Palette

Plant PalettePlants

Bird loving ‘Honey Pots’

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

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Plant PalettePlants

Add a little mystique to your garden design

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

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Plant PalettePlants

What makes a geranium?

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

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Plant PalettePlants

Red Papaya: The Little-known Super Food

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

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