FAQ
Pittosporums in my garden are dying back in parts. Is there something I can do?
Yes, and you'd be advised to act quickly. When plants are stressed, such as over this abnormally hot Summer we've just had, they become more susceptible to pests and diseases. Scale is a pest that can be deadly to Pittosporum if not treated quickly with white oil. The natural predators of scale are lacewing larvae and ladybirds. Scale can be identified by tiny, hard, black shell-like shapes stuck to the stems of the plant under which the insects hide, and a black sooty mould on the foliage. White oil destroys the insects by smothering them. The white oil may need to be repeated to destroy newly hatched insects. If necessary, ask for advice at your local garden centre.
Are native plants more drought tolerant than exotics?
Australian natives come from all areas of Australia, so some are drought tolerant, whereas others have high water requirements over our hot South Australian summers. Whether selecting natives or exotics, choose those that come from climates similar to ours with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
What can I plant that requires no supplementary water over the Summer?
The range of succulents available now are much more exciting than those Grandma grew in old icecream containers in the 60’s. Once established, succulents are very hardy planted either in well-drained soil in garden beds or decorative pots. They are particularly spectacular planted en masse and some, particularly the echeverias, produce stunning and long-lasting flowers. Echeverias do like some shade on hot summer afternoons. Mulching with pebbles both looks good and helps keep the soil at even temperatures. Free-draining soil is essential.
Could you suggest a hardy climber that won’t take over?
Trachelospermum Jasminoides, commonly known as Chinese Star Jasmine, is an evergreen climber with glossy dark green leaves. It is easy to train and contain and has exquisitely perfumed, white star-shaped flowers in late Spring to early Summer.
How often should I water?
It really depends on the quality of the soil, the type of plant , whether mulch is applied, and how much shade is available to the plant. The most important watering trick is to water deeply less often to encourage deep rooting. This may even mean digging a small hole to check how deeply the water has soaked in. Sometimes it may look like the soil is saturated, but scratching the top few millimetres of soil will reveal completely dry soil underneath.
Is it possible to kill a plant with too much water?
Yes, especially if the soil is not free draining the plant’s roots may rot.
We’re planning to build a free-standing pergola in our backyard for outdoor dining from Spring through to Autumn. What would you recommend as a plant cover?
Wisteria is a deciduous and vigorous climber that will quite easy cover a pergola. In Spring, it has beautifully perfumed pendulous racemes of purple, pink or white flowers. These are followed by luscious green leaves that will give thick shade over the Summer. In Autumn, as the cooler weather comes, the leaves will turn a lovely golden colour, then drop, providing both mulch for the garden and sunlight.
The leaves on my cordylines have burnt in the 45 degree days we had this last Summer. What should I do?
Give them a deep water, then wait until the weather cools and in Autumn chop off the stalk below the burnt leaves. Then put a few vertical scratches on the stem where you would like the leaves to re-emerge. These are very hardy plants and are hard to kill.
What fertiliser should I use?
There are many choices on the market. The easiest is slow-release long-term fertiliser which can be applied once or twice a year. For those who prefer a more organic method, there are many pelletised manure fertilisers available. Aged animal manures are another option, but care should be taken when handling these to avoid any adverse health effects. Most OUTDOOR CANVAS™ plants do best with a fertiliser low in nitrogen. If you cannot make sense of the information on the packaging, ask the staff in the garden centre as they are there to help you. Native plants need a specific fertiliser for natives.
My maroon cordylines went spotty in the really cold weather. What caused this and how can I fix it?
This is caused by a nutrient deficiency. Give the plants a liquid feed, with a fertiliser high in potash.