Growing Gardens

with Julia Hancock

Camellias make Mother's Day

While we normally associate chrysanthemums as the floral symbol of Mother's Day, in our region sasanqua camellias are usually at the peak of their prettiness on the second Sunday in May.

Because there are so many different flower colours, sizes and shapes associated with this species of camellia, sasanquas bushes should be chosen when they have a bloom on them - plant labels are sometimes an unreliable indication of the true hue of a flower.

The beauty of camellias is that they grow equally well in pots and in the ground. Cultivating them in pots is ideal for mothers with limited gardening space, for instance those who have only a patio or balcony to play with. They can withstand regular pruning to keep them compact, and their lush evergreen foliage means they are attractive even when not in flower. Camellias last for decades so put cultivation is one way of ensuring your beloved plants can move house with you.

When grown in the ground camellias make excellent hedges or stand alone specimens. Again, in a hedging situation they can be clipped annually to curb excess growth, but if left to their own devices they develop a pleasant open bun shape.

Camellias are shallow-rooted which means large specimens can be purchased and planted for instant effect. However, they are also fairly fast growing so it's not necessary to buy the biggest plant in the shop. A good specimen in a 150mm (6") or 200mm (8") pot will establish quickly to become a sizeable shrub in a couple of years.

If your mother doesn't spend much time outdoors she can enjoy camellia blossoms in a float bowl inside. Shallow ceramic dishes are available in a wide range of colours so why not give her a camellia plant and a float bowl as a gift she can enjoy for the rest of her life.

Lismore Garden Club News

No garden should be without the herb rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis). It is native to the Mediterranean area and therefore is a good seaside plant, however it grows both in coastal and inland areas around northern NSW. When we think of herbs, we imagine them to be small plants. Rosemary is different in as much as it grows into a shrub around 1.5 metres. This makes it suitable for hedging. The green/grey foliage is highly aromatic and the lavender flowers appear in spring and intermittently at other times. The prostrate form 'Blue Lagoon' is suitable for containers or to spill over a terrace wall. And of course, rosemary is one of the most popular of our culinary herbs. It can be used fresh or dried with chicken, meat dishes, or winter stews. Rosemary can be grown from seed planted in a sunny, well-drained location, spring, summer and early autumn. If you wish to grow just one plant now, it would be best to purchase a small plant in a pot.

Happy gardening
Ron Burns