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A design challenge (local provenance)
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Posted by artiew QLD Aust (My Page) on Mon, Jun 5, 06 at 2:20
| Hi Team,
OK, I have had the evil Poinciana reduced to a 1 metre high stump, and it sits roughly 3 metres in from my rear corner boundary. Details are:
Location: Rockhampton (-2 to 45 deg C, long hot summers and short dry Winters)
Soil: acidic but relatively poor topsoil over clay (pH around 6.5)
Aspect: almost completely exposed to the Western sun each afternoon, and plenty of wind.
There *will* be a microclimate as my rainforest trees (Harpullia Pendulla, Waterhousea Floribunda, Toona Cliata, Xanthostemon Chrysanthus) and lillipillies mature, but its pretty grim in that corner at the moment. I have the SGAP book 'Native Plants for the Fitzroy Basin', but I'm hoping to make a feature of the 'eyesore' left by the stump - suggestions most welcome.
Need-
3 plants to 3 m x 1.5 m
3 plants to 1.5m x 1 m
Without inspiration, I'll just go with the usual lillipillies :)
Cheers,
Artie
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Artie - Living in the s/e of Victoria, I'm no help to you, but have you thought about walking around the block and seeing what some of your neighbours are growing. I'm sure you could come up with something "different" to hide the stump than a lilly pilly. |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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Artie!
G. Golden Lyre/ other relaxed grevillea of choice in a pot anchored with 4 + ? railway ties to the stump..... what do you intend with the 6 plants above?? A short forest to hide it? Would you park a bird bath on top, and train a scrambler around/ up the base? Do you even do vines? :) How tall is this stump, BTW?
Rose |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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Oops, I see, clearly stated, 1m. Time for more coffee, the first one didn't work. Golden Lyre is half Honey Gem, I guess that ain't very local either.
Cheers! |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Thanks troops :) JC, I think you know from recent posts that I have little time for the *majority* of the gardens within 5km of my home. Its not that they dont have natives, or tropicals for that matter, its that they appear to have little or no clue when it comes to planting something which forms a coherent garden - its often just a collection of odd (often weedy) plants slapped willy-nilly into a makeshift bed. They are the last place I look for inspiration, I'm afraid. The other end of the spectrum is the 'fulltime gardener' with manicured lawns and perfectly edged palms placed at predictable intervals - but enough about my girlfriend's garden ... Rose, thanks for the reccomendation - Grevillea Venusta is the local (ok, Byfield) species, and I already have a couple in the front. I do want a small 'forest' around the stump so that I can attach bromeliads to it, and possibly mount a birds nest fern on the top. Its a large stump - just needs some protection from the elements. Yes, I do vines (!) but none of my Pandorea specimens seem to have really taken off as yet. Nathan, I already have a strangler fig - I'm training that up the side of the *house* :) |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Roses Artie Put a little spice into your Garden !!! Lilly Pilly dont you have enough of them.
How about a bougainvillea or a plumbago cant kill either with a brick. Cycad, Ixora some of them grow around 2mts. Hibiscus Oh I could go on forever but being exotics some Humm Exotics V Natives I can see another post coming up or have you done that one before ? MM. |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance) ..
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| I'd just like to add, for the sake of anyone new to the forum, that my garden is a long way from being a 'local provenance' garden, or even a 'native' garden. That said, I saw this corner as an opportunity to use indigeneous species, assuming that I can find them in nurseries or wherever. 'Native Plants for the Fitzroy Basin' suggests that the following are suitable for Rocky (my choices from a large listing): Brachychiton Bidwillii (Little Kurrajong) a sprawling shrub to 4m, pretty red flowers and unusual foliage Cassia Eremophila (Desert Cassia) needle-like foliage reminiscent of some of the Melaleucas I have, with attractive yellow flowers. Reputedly fast growing to < 2m Eremophila Maculata (Spotted Emu Bush) not very large at a little over a metre, but nice flowers and tough foliage - should take the heat without any problems Graptophyllum Excelsum (Native Fuchsia) I already have a couple, but its a great plant and I'm a sucker for the little red flowers. OK, its a modest list, but most of the other 'locals' seem to be over 4 metres (large numbers of Acacia and Eucalypt species, and giants like Elaeocarpus Grandis). Folks in Yeppon and Gladstone seem to have a much better chance of growing many of the rainforest species, but I'll perservere. I draw inspiration from the fact that Blackdown has fern species which only survive in its moist gullies : its all down to creating that same environment at home. Cheers, Artie |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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- Posted by pos02 NSW Aust (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 5, 06 at 18:52
| Why don't you put some orchids on the stump. When the other plants get taller, you should have a good spot for them. |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| artiew: fantastic! Got any photos of your strangler? I've pondered growing boards by growing figs over fences then cutting out the big plates. Similarly we might be able to make boards by growing rainforest trees in suitably boggy areas so they grow buttress roots. I wonder if you could cut one buttress off and it would regrow? |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Aaah, Nathan - one of us has to revert to decaf, mate :) I have avoided trees which will develop buttress roots, but they are a feature of the Poinciana stump. C'est la Vie, I guess. |
locals only
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| Hi MM, I have every exotic you list bar roses, and I think we both know that isnt going to happen :) As I said, this represents a small corner where I can atone for my sins, however pitifully, and give some of the local natives a place in the sun. Cheers, Artie
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RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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I'd be surprised if the Cassia (Now a subspecies of Senna artemisioides) looks much like a Melaleuca in practice.The silvery leaves are great-looking., but I'm a bit surprised that it is local to your acidic soil I regard Sennas as top value - good screen, not too big, spectacular in spring so long as you want yellow flowers, and reasonably long-lived. Is Senna acclinis local for you? It grows well for me here in the open, but is naturally more of an understory thing, so might cope with your projected change in microclimate.
Green leaves, looks a bit like the weedy introduced Easter Cassia, but not so big.
Have you looked at the Orangebarks (Maytenus species?) Here they come in four species and assorted sizes. The salmon-coloured new leaves are the attraction on some of them.
What about Mallotis phillipensis, for a small tree? I noticed a lovely one in the Kershaw gardens when I was there last.
The Polyscias species grow taller - Poinciana height, but have a sensible suburban-garden sized spread. They're good and quick, too, which might be what you want.
Homalanthus nutans probably fits your 3m bill. Quick-growing, and the red leaves add colour where you want it. They make a good canopy if grown in the open, but are happy as an understorey tree too.
What about Elaeocarpus reticulatus? Some Diospyros species would also be good. Denhamia pittosporoides is very pretty, and I've can produce good buttresses (considering its overall small size, on scree.
But you're probably restricted where local provenance is concerned, to what local people are growing. Does your local council have a nursery for reveg? We have one here, and it's one of the best sources for local natives.
Best of luck
Trish |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Artie - Why not remove the stump and plant a "local" in it's place rather than hide it. What diameter is this stump and can it be cut at ground level to get a stump grinder into it. I like the sound of a Brachychiton Bidwillii replacing it. |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Backhousia citriodora (Lemon Myrtle) has leaves that come in handy for cooking and as well as making a great tea. B. anisata (Aniseed Myrtle) is also used in cooking. They can look very attractive. B. citiodora puts on an excellent flower display. There are always the usual Grevilleas. Instead of small shrubs what about Lomandra? Uromyrtus 'Weeping Beauty' is a very attractive and surprisingly hardy little shrub. To add interest in leaf contrast throw in a few Cordylines. (I prefer the native ones to the overdone exotic lot) Cordylines can be trimmed back to get them to form a bushier shape. |
Plants I already have ..
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| Thanks for the ongoing feedback team, but I do have several of the species mentioned already - I just want to try something different in this corner. JC, I was quoted $145 to grind out the stump - happy to have the tree itself lopped for only 300 - it was a real eyesore .. Elaeocarpus reticulatus - along with the Toona, this would have to be the standout performer in my garden at the moment - fantastic growth rate and very highly recommended. Backhousia citriodora - not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but mine seems to have developed a habit similar to that dreadful 'Snowflake' exotic that is in flower all over CQ at the moment - a straggly shrub that occasionally shines. It seems to want an exorbitant amount of water for a sub-1.5 metre plant .. maybe I'm killing it with kindness ? Trish, I'm afraid the local council stopped making plants available to the public (via direct sale) some time ago. Its surprising what you can find in the nurseries, but many of them are so busy supplying developers with landcape orders that I dont think they have the space for many of the species gardeners rarely seek out. Thanks for so many suggestions - some really interesting choices in your nominations :) Cheers, Artie |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| I haven't tried G. Golden Lyre yet, Artie, hoping some else might test it in cQ :) Great suggestions of Trish's ....I love Maytenus, a lighter leaf for tonal contrast. One on a cutting on Rossmoya Rd couldn't do it tougher, pity my pic not worth posting. Another on the side of a dry gully in our paddock has nice small tree form. What are your thoughts on pricklies? Wallaby apple as understory seems too much of a scrambler but out in the open forms a rounded shape. Great for nests for small birds. I believe it's the hedge at Shopping Fair entrance to Kershaw but our GW friend from nearby reckons it's one of the native limes :) A lemon myrtle past The Caves fights off the roots of a tipuana with little help but then it hasn't grown much either. Have you come across Livingstone's Guide to native plants for revegetation and gardens? They posted me one out on request. I don't know anything about the community nursery at Yeppoon but council should have info. Rose (finally a member of SGAP, why did it take me so long? Great info in state newsletter.) |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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- Posted by mallee South Australia (My Page) on
Wed, Jun 7, 06 at 3:29
| Hi Artie, The latest Australian Plants (SGAP) had articles on Blackdown Tableland (I skimmed it --it's a long way from my growing conditions!) I wouldn't complain about the pH 6.5. Mine is 9.5+. However, without knowing provenance to you, what about covering the stump with Clematis for the time being until you get the other bits and pieces in place and growing. Clematis aristata and microphylla will cope with hot dry conditions and frost if that is an occasional issue. Both have creamy white flowers. You can propagate from very fresh seed, or cuttings. Both occur in Qld but I don't know where. |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| OK,OK - I'll join the Australian Plants Society (formerly ASGAP) :) Rose and Mallee - thanks for the additional suggestions. I'm going to have a petition put together the have Rose replace Neil Fisher once a month in Saturdays Bulletin (our local paper) - Neil has a phenomenal memory, but Rose makes me want to dash out of the office and drive into the bush with a shovel ! Now that I think of it, thats probably not an entirely good thing .... :) |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| How sweet! I do look up Neil's articles in the library, pity he's well remembered for the (somewhat exotic) planting at the Parkhurst Tavern from years ago :) Rose |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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I'll second Mallee's suggestion of Clematis, especially microphylla. I have a two-year-old one which would cover a stump that size well but not overflow too much. It's a delicious froth of white flowers for quite a long time in spring, and is good looking and sun-hardy even when not in flower. I haven't succeeded in getting fertile seeds. Wish I'd bought multiples of the plant when I had the chance, as I haven't seen it for sale since.
It's the Crows Nest Shire Council not the Toowoomba one which sells local natives, Artie. I wonder whether any of your surrounding councils would be a source? In Crows Nest's case, the nursery is a by-product of an active revegetation programme, and largely the result of the work of one particular person who has had the push to keep it going. Would you be able to get hold of local plants by getting into conversations with people doing revegetation? Landcare and Greening Australia might be starting points?
Here, there are two really good sources of local natives, but they both need to be telephoned in advance, as there doesn't seem to be a full-time income in running that kind of nursery. The more commercial nurseries quote lack of demand, but also say that they don't get these plants in because suppliers require them to get them in in large quantities, so even when the demand exists they won't fill it until it is a BIG demand. They also say they don't like dealing with small suppliers because they don't provide the pretty-coloured labels. Mass market economics rule, alas.
Trish |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Well, Artie, your post had me calling old contacts. Briefly, a Rocky SGAP friend A. says that the Yeppoon community garden is good and it does sell to the public. SGAP people are planning to start propagation as a group activity within the next few months. She named two members of the group who are keen and skilled propagators and who already provide plants to the Friends of the Gardens to sell at events at the botanical gardens and the Heritage Village. A. says they get "heaps" of inquiries from the public for plants. We agreed that it's easier for the nurseries to let the semis drop off heavily promoted plants from the big nurseries than put in the work of sourcing and promoting good local stuff. Even years ago, I used to see young couples scrutinising labels desperate for better info and more suitable plants. How often do you see nursery staff just reading out the label to customers seeking more information and having no additional knowledge? A. also mentioned the nursery at the dam at Mt Morgan, and Toondoon gardens in Gladstone as sources. A propagator from Gladstone lives in softwood scrub country and would be producing the hardy spp. Better run. If you want names and phone numbers, just send me a PM through my page, Artie. Could also forward you the monthly newsletter. Hope the current drizzle turns into rain! Cheers
Rose |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Thanks Rose - will chase this up further when I get out from under my current workload here at the sweatshop :( |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Artie, I notice you have and like the Graptophyllum excelsum and we had a post just recently about Graptophyllum ilicifolium. Its flower is a dull red, but it is a striking lower-growing plant from central Qld so may suit your criteria. Cheers,
Frank. |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Hi Frank, My book refers to 'Graptophyllum thorogoodii' as being suitable for Rocky, but I believe that this is now classified as 'G. Excelsum' - certainly looks the same in the photos Google threw up. Will ask around re 'G. ilicifolium'. Cheers, Artie |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| How did you go, Artie? Kris made comments about various native graptos including thorogoodii here a while back but of course the search facility plays dumb. One of the common names for ilicifolium (Holly fuschia) is descriptive of the leaf. I can never spell fuschia so excuse me. Just found 3 x *prickly* graptos mentioned in the editorial of the June 2006 Qld SGAP publication.....
"G. ilicifolium (Mt. Blackwood Holly)
G. reticulatum (Buderim Holly)
G. spinigerum (Samford Holly)" My point? Who knows! Cheers
Rose |
RE: A design challenge (local provenance)
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| Clematis microphylla RANUNCULACEAE
Small Leaf Clematis The link below states: These plants are poisonous both internally and externally |
Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis microphylla
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