Admire
The delicate sway of Japanese windflowers (Anenome) intoxicates us in autumn. Tones of white, lilac and pink match nicely with the purple tones
of Plentranthus ecklonii and Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’.
Rake
Collect autumn leaves to make a nutritious leaf mulch for acid-loving plants such as camellias, azaleas and gardenia. Fill a black plastic bag with leaves
and add a handful of blood and bone. Moisten the mix then tie it off and leave it to brew for 5-6 months. Spread mulch over beds in summer.
Make tea
Pick leaves of lemon-scented myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) and infuse in boiling water for a few minutes. Sip hot, or chill and pour over ice.
Feed
Fertilise citrus trees with a mix of compost, cow manure and powdered rock minerals.
Divide
Clumping perennials such as salvia, yarrow (Achillea) and gaura can be divided once they have finished flowering. Share the excess with friends
or repeat groupings through the garden.
Strappy-leafed plants such as liriope, kangaroo paw, agapanthus and clivia can also be divided now. Dig up, divide, soak in seaweed solution, prune off
leaves, then replant, spacing plants at correct spacings.
Trim
Deadhead roses, perennials and dahlias to prolong flowering.
Plant
Buy tubestock to create a new native wildflower garden to love in spring. We’ve have found its cheaper and more effective to buy smaller pot sizes as the
plants grow faster.
Text: Linda Ross
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