Gardening, horticultural and plant information

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Embothrium coccineum
2nd Mar Do not feed with fertiliser. Use organic matter instead.
Fraxinus americana
31st Dec Often used as an ornamental tree and also in urban planting due to its good shape and tolerance of air pollution and resistance to disease. However, it has a short lifespan rarely living over 100 years.
Quercus falcata
31st Dec This tree is larger than the related Southern Red Oak Quercus falcata. The name pagoda refers to the incised shape of the leaves which is reminiscent of the stepped roof of a pagoda.
Solanum mauritianum
10th Jul This shrub is an invasive species in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. It must be must be destroyed by law in Guateng in South Africa, and is illegal to sell or grow in many parts of New Zealand. In Australia it has also naturalised and has been declared as a noxious weed, especially on the Eastern coast. It originates from parts of South America. It is safe to grow in cooler climates because frost will kill it.
Zantedeschia aethiopica
27th Jun This is a larval host plant to the Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
Lantana camara
15th Jun This is considered an invasive weed in sub tropical regions where the temperature does not drop below -3C. Parts of India, Australia, United States and Africa have a problem with it.
Phalaris arundinacea
12th Jun Although it has attractive foliage this plant can be very invasive. It is listed as an invasive species in the wetlands of North America. It is very tough and can survive dry shade, drought and poor soils and so may have its uses for difficult sites as long as it is not listed as a problem plant for your area.
Lamium galeobdolon 'Variegatum'
12th Jun This plant can be invasive in temperate climates. It self seeds easily and also spreads by means of rhizomes. But it has its uses in difficult areas like dry shade.
+Laburnocytisus adamii
12th Jun This small tree is the result of a graft-chimaera between two species, Laburnum anagyroides and Chamaecytisus purpureus. A piece of Chamaecytisus purpureus is grafted onto the trunk of Laburnum anagyroides and the resulting mix of plant cells produces a curious result.
Sarracenia x courtii
11th Jun This is a hybrid cross between Sarracenia psittacina and Sarracenia purpurea.