Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Dec 31, 2012 8:50 am Hi guys , I just started image makeover of my front yard. We have river pebbles covering most of the area , have left sides for plants. 1 side will have diff type of conifers , was wondering what can i have at other side. We are after something that is colourful , does not need much attention and water and has a lifespan of 5-7 yrs minimum. I was thinking of Kangaroo Paws but someone at local nursery said that they dont last more than 12 months so wondering what else can we think of..For information we are in Point Cook in VIC Re: Plants suggestions > 2Jan 01, 2013 4:13 pm "Kangaroo paws don't last more than 12 months"? I've had mine for years.... Your nursery guy doesn't know what he's talking about. I'd be buying from someone else. Re: Plants suggestions > 3Jan 01, 2013 5:36 pm Yes kangaroo paws last for years... However the nursery may have been referring to the fact that some varieties do die back completely over winter; most just go into dormancy, but they all spring up to new growth with the warmer weather. Perhaps at the nursery they just chuck 'em out when they die back? cos they couldn't sell them at that stage. What about some lillipillis, jasmine, malaviscus, the last two if your winter is not too cold. The malaviscus grows leggy but responds well to regular pruning for a more compact "hedging" shape, but the flowers are worth the effort and long lasting... All of these are tough plants. Re: Plants suggestions > 4Jan 01, 2013 8:36 pm Kanga paw's are certainly not annuals but unless they are planted in their ideal conditions its very common that they snuff it. Especially if its a wet humid summer. Get the right culitvar in the right spot and they will thrive in south east oz, but if you get it wrong (ie drainage, shade) and they will die just as the nursery man said. I put them in the too hard basket unless the site soil is sandy. Re: Plants suggestions > 5Jan 02, 2013 8:23 am From this site:http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/growingflowers/flowersandseasons/kangaroo-paw Growing Kangaroo Paw Flowers Kangaroo Paws easily propagate from seed. The young plants usually flower after a year. Clumps may also be divided in early summer. Macropidia fulginosa is difficult to propagate from seed or by division. Kangaroo Paws grow best in well-drained soils in a sunny position. Well-composted organic matter improves growth. Place the Kangaroo Paw seeds under seed starter about 1/2 inch. Kangaroo Paw seeds are small, but try and spread them so there is about 1/2 inch to an inch between the seeds. Keep the soil moist until they sprout. It takes about 4 weeks to see the first sprout. Water Kangaroo Paw sprouts, but do not overwater. The sprouts should grow to about an inch before moving individual sprouts to their own pots. Move sprouts to their own pots without touching the roots. Kangaroo Paw roots are very sensitive. They do well in a small pot with either potting soil or more seed starter. Let the sprouts get to be a few inches tall before you try to put them into the ground. If they are too small when you try to transplant them, they will not survive very easily. Kangaroo Paw Plant Care Grow Kangaroo Paw outdoors in moist but well-drained, humus-rich sandy loam in full sun. To prevent the spread of fungal spores, badly effected Kangaroo Paw leaves should be removed and burnt. In extreme cases, the application of the fungicide, copper oxychloride, may help retard the disease. Kangaroo Paws are also prone to snail and slug attack and special attention should be given to removing them. Use little water if Kangaroo Paws are growing near the coast, and more near inland. Water the Kangaroo Paw freely in spring and summer, applying a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Keep almost dry in winter. Re: Plants suggestions > 6Jan 02, 2013 9:14 am Here I go again - Agapanthus ... Alternate blue and white. lovely green foliage. Easy care. Re: Plants suggestions > 7Jan 02, 2013 9:16 am Good one, although for some reason mine all die...I think I give them too much TLC Re: Plants suggestions > 8Jan 04, 2013 10:46 am What about a Correa or a Callistemon? They might give you some of the same properties you were looking for in a Kangaroo paw. Both are available in all kinds of colours, and are either all native or endemic in various types. Alyogylne are also large and give a bit of colour, but probably not as much as something like a Callistemon. If you don't care about it being native, I'm a fan of Crepe Myrtles, which will grow to about the same size as a decent Callistemon, maybe a bit smaller. As far as lifespan, none of these will cause problems. We have had the same Correa and Callistemon in my parents front yard for 30 years now.. I think there's 3 Correas and 2 Callistemons. Building a Delta 21 at Craigieburn - http://homeofzero.blogspot.com.au/ Deposit: 26/02. Contract: 22/05. Settlement: 29/05. Site start: 18/10. Murraya could be a great option for you. It creates a great tall screening hedge but doesn't drop fruit like lily pilly. The flowers smell divine. 2 10219 Hi, Looking to add an ensuite to one of the bedrooms and make it a Master BR. Please see the attached current floorplan. Need suggestions on what's the best way to do… 0 7337 Suggestions please for acrylic rendering Color to match austral brick urban one pepper. Pic for reference. Thanks 0 5063 |