The spectacular autumn show of Sedum “Autumn Joy”.
I know that I rave on about them, but there’s a range of flowers for every season, with the added plus they can be divided at no cost every couple of years.
On our nature strip in Watson the Sedum “Autumn Joy” is about to flower with its heads at present a pale green, looking much like broccoli.
Over the coming weeks they will change to a pale pink and gradually turn to a deep red and finally bronze.
The first frosts are the time to cut the flowers to ground level, which is when the plant can be divided with at least 10-15 baby plants from each clump.
Right at the start of winter delicate new shoots will start to appear, unaffected by even the severest frost. By spring they will be about 20cm-30cm tall.
A wonderful herb for garden borders, Nepeta fassaani or Catmint.
The grey-green foliage provides interest when grown as a clump of three to five or as a garden border.
STARTING to appear, as if from nowhere, in our garden is the delicate-looking cyclamen, Cyclamen hederifolium (syn. C. Neapolitanum).
It’s the best-known and easiest to grow, and in autumn and winter has an abundance of pale pink flowers. They tend to spread by themselves with little or no attention.
As with all cyclamen, they originate in the Mediterranean region, especially in Northern Italy, and are very drought hardy. The marbled heart-shape leaves resemble variegated ivy leaves, hence the name hederifolium, hedera being the botanical name for ivy.
I HAVE mentioned the possible move of Floriade from its present site. A suggestion from readers Louise and Gary is Edison Park in Woden. It is a largely under-utilised area, close to the Woden Interchange and parking and is possibly close to the centre of Canberra. Plus it would not upset the nimbys in the suburbs. Worth thinking about, Mr Barr?
IT’S still not too late divide tall, bearded iris. The rhizomes (also called creeping root stalks and root stocks) should be checked to ensure they are solid and healthy with any bad bits cut off.
Trim the scraggly roots with sharp secateurs, although not too short. It has been said tall, bearded iris flowers best when planted facing north and south, with the leaves facing south. It is important the top of the rhizome is not covered with soil or even mulch. The top needs to be exposed to the full sun as in their native Spain and Portugal.
Jottings…
- A reminder the Great Autumn Dahlia Championships and Flower Show is at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit Forrest on the weekend of March 7-8. Full details at hsoc.org.au
- Autumn is the ideal time to move evergreen shrubs, if they are not too big. Trim off any damaged roots and water in with Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient to promote strong, new root growth.
- March is trimming time for conifers, but be careful not to cut into the old wood.
- It’s an ideal time to establish hedges and by planting in a trench rather than individual holes the roots will spread much faster. Camellia sasanqua “Hiryu” makes an attractive hedge, flowering all winter and attracting native birds.
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