Australian Native Plants can be difficult to propagate and for many specific species there’s little information available on the internet. Jane couldn’t find any tips on taking Midgen Berry cuttings so she experimented and now she’s sharing the results! For the propagation hack video mentioned click here:
Category: Australia
Lighthunting Yields a Catch
A Photography Story Photo a Day Challenge When Lighthunting Yields a Catch Photo a Day Challenge: Week 60— January 20th to January 26th 2023 This week I finally managed to capture a wild Ulysses Butterfly with my camera! I have been trying ever since we moved house eight months ago. Almost every day I see one or… Continue reading Lighthunting Yields a Catch
Australian Mellitidia – the Smiley Bee
Mellitidia tomentifera Recently I posted a photo of one of these golden beauties on social media and discovered a far more enchanting common name than Australian Mellitidia. Apparently some in its restricted range in Far North Queensland call them “Smileys”. Can you see why? It’s that patterning on the thorax! The two triangles of black… Continue reading Australian Mellitidia – the Smiley Bee
Bird Calls in the Morning
This morning as I sat enjoying a coffee and gazing at the blue sky mottled with soft clouds after the previous day’s rain, I heard a Spangled Drongo. Spangled Drongos disappear here in the warmer months, heading South only to return in Autumn to enjoy our balmy tropical “winter”. Shiny metallic feathers, red eyes and… Continue reading Bird Calls in the Morning
An Introduction to Australian Bush Tucker
NEW eBook with 52 easy to read bush food profiles I’ve just published my first eBook! It’s a collection of profiles with information like alternative names, growing conditions, history, cultural uses and edible uses. You can find it on Etsy or by clicking here you will receive a 10% discount until January 22, 2023! Here’s… Continue reading An Introduction to Australian Bush Tucker
Native Ginger or Alpinia caerulea
Plant Profile Also known as: Growing Conditions: Propagation Uses This plant is a wonderful way to find buzz-pollinating bees in your garden. It delivered my first Teddy Bear Bee sighting and numerous Blue-banded Bee sightings. It is a classic understorey plant from subtropical and tropical rainforests and can therefore be used in shady places in… Continue reading Native Ginger or Alpinia caerulea
A True Wildflower of the Tamborine Bush – Slender Hyacinth Orchid
Dipodium variegatum The Slender Hyacinth Orchid is truly a wildflower. Orchid enthusiasts have tried to cultivate it, but have been unsuccessful due to its unique growing conditions. Dipodium variegatum is leafless and the only part of it that appears above ground is the stalk and flower. It is a saprophyte meaning that it is not… Continue reading A True Wildflower of the Tamborine Bush – Slender Hyacinth Orchid
Hardenbergia violocea or Happy Wanderer
Plant Profile Did you know that Indigenous Australians have used this plant as a tea and medicine for thousands of years? It is known by many names: Hardenbergia violacea, False Sarsparilla, Purple Coral Pea, Wild Sarsparilla, Waraburra, Vine Lilac. This lovely vine clambers and wanders over anything in its path. It makes a great groundcover… Continue reading Hardenbergia violocea or Happy Wanderer
Plant Profile – Spotted Gum – Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata
Also known as: Eucalyptus maculata (historical, no longer used by herbariums for this species) Corymbia maculata (historical, no longer used by herbariums for this species) Eucalyptus citriodora (historical, no longer used by herbariums for this species) Growing conditions: Prefers well-draining soils Like growing on slopes Prefers full sun Drought tolerant Propagation: Seeds in shallow trays… Continue reading Plant Profile – Spotted Gum – Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata
The Border Room
The Border Room has two main functions. The first and foremost is to give us some privacy from the road. The second is to attract beneficial insects, birds and other wildlife on to the property. FEATURED PLANTS RUBY TEA TREE (Leptospermum scoparium “Ruby Glow”) – this New Zealand native has beautiful little rose like blooms… Continue reading The Border Room
Jane Grows Garden Rooms 