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Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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Posted by reillyoz007 Vic Aust (My Page) on Fri, Dec 30, 05 at 8:20
| Callistemons and grevilleas seem to grow really well in this lousy clay soil I have. I want to rip out the camellias which are currently growing (poorly) near a side fence. (Not planted by me either). So basically I'm looking for something bushy (for privacy), at least 2 metres tall, will cope with full sun and quite a lot of wind and which will live quite a while. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Reilly |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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| I find Callistemons live much longer and they will grow in clay. |
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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| I have to agree with GH also the more you prune Callistemons the bushier they get so more privacy.... Cheers..MM. |
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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- Posted by deejaus Melb.Vic. Aust (My Page) on
Fri, Dec 30, 05 at 21:38
| Pruning Calistemons to keep them bushy also makes them less likely to have branches snap off in high winds.........Cheers, Dee. |
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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| honey myrtles (melaleuca) make great privacy screens, if you can find some types which are native to your area they should do well in your soil as well, and some of them are pretty tolerant of boggy conditions. |
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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- Posted by Popi NSW Aust (My Page) on
Sun, Jan 1, 06 at 17:50
| Yes, I would choose Callistemons, I have lost 4 grevilleas, I am not happy with them at all. The Callistemons have thrived, bring so many birds as well. They can be trimmed, even lopped, and bounce back......all the best....Popi |
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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- Posted by pos02 NSW Aust (My Page) on
Mon, Jan 9, 06 at 16:49
| I find that both callistemons and grevilleas are very hardy, as long as you plant them in the right aspect. We have a number of them both, and have only ever lost 1 grevillea - may have been sick anyway. Grevilleas can also be trimmed hard to keep them bushy, and to keep them flowering. We have one in the front yard which has never been flowerless in 3 years. |
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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| Thank you for all the feedback. I'm not sure what happened when I posted this but it 'disappeared' so I posted the other one a few days later. I think I'll plant 2 callistemons, a grevillea and look into the melaleucas seeing as I love them as well. I don't see a lot around here though so perhaps that's not a good sign. Any favourites you'd like to recommend? I know the ones Flora for Fauna recommend for this area but I'd be interested in hearing opinions of other people. I think I'm turning into an native plant addict. I look at my native babies and they look so 'right'. I look at my non-natives and want to rip them out. Maybe living overseas for 6 years made me really appreciate what truly unique plants we have here and how much those plants contribute to my idea of 'home'. |
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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| hi reilly, if you go to the link below and scroll down youll see some melaleucas listed. click on the name of each one and it will give you some details about it including where they come from and what conditions they like, although I couldnt see any victorian ones in there. when youve gone through those ones, scroll down the bottom of the list and click on "next group" because there's more of them on the next page. I cant offer any personal recommendations, im on pure sand so our soil is probably as different as it gets, but I'd suggest you stay away from the WA ones because they generally need very good drainage. hope that helps |
Here is a link that might be useful: melaleucas
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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| Some 17 years ago I planted a rural residential block with natives because of the heavy clay soil. Of what I planted, the ones that are still there (we're not) are Grevillea rivularis, Grevillea Canterbury Gold, a Callistemon Kings Park Special and about 8 Callistemon Citrinus. These plants got a yearly trim while in my care, but over the past 5 years have been let go. They are growing still, but showing their age now. |
RE: Lifespan of Callistemons v Grevilleas?
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| Grevillea rivularis link fyi |
Here is a link that might be useful: Grevillea rivularis
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