Open garden: Jurassica theme park garden project
WE visit the Jurassica theme park garden project in Cairns.
WE visit the Jurassica theme park garden project in Cairns, owned by Matt Mitchley.
DESCRIBE YOUR GARDEN: The garden, which is 3000sq m, was built last year on a derelict commercial site in Cairns and is part of the 202020 vision project that supports greening of our cities. Locals have loved the transformation. It’s one of the largest collections of mature cycads, pachypodiums, yuccas, ponytails and succulents, and it creates a modern-day representation of a prehistoric cycad forest. Some specimens are hundreds of years old, such as Macrozamia mooreii, which is native to Carnarvon Gorge. The soil is typical Cairns deep sand, ideal for these plants. The garden is a pilot for a larger, nature-based theme park that is being launched this weekend.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Many are rescue plants that I’ve collected over the past five years. I’m a landscaper and I’d see them unloved and unwanted at the tip. Now people who know the site contact me, asking if I want special plants they are removing. Many need a crane or digger but I just can’t say no because I don’t want them to die. Some are spectacular — they are just what I’ve been waiting for. There’s a lot of mature, rare stuff around because there were many specialist nurseries in the area in the 1970s.
WHY DO YOU LOVE THESE PLANTS: I’ve always been in love with the Jurassic age, not really for the dinosaurs but the habitat they lived in. I came to Cairns from England 10 years ago and every garden I went into was like a lolly shop for me, full of spectacular plants. These fierce architectural plants have masculine qualities, especially when assembled together.
BIGGEST CHALLENGES: Bringing in more than 500cu m of fill and the same of boulders to form hills and ridges from the flat, weed-infested site.
EXTRAS: Tea and coffee, entertainment, plants for sale. Interpretive talks at 11am and 2pm both days.
WHAT’S NEXT: We hope to attract investors for a proposed theme park showcasing natural ecosystems of animals, plants and their habitats. Dedicated to conservation, education and entertainment, it aims to engage children and adults with realistic displays such as primordial swamps, arid desert, lagoons, volcano and a cycad valley. Our team has designed the whole project and developed a detailed business package for investors.
369 SHERIDAN Street, CAIRNS NORTH, Queensland 4870.
OWNER: MATT MITCHLEY
OPEN: THIS WEEKEND 10AM TO 4.30PM
ENTRY: $10, UNDER 18 FREE
jurassica.com
FLORA
Magnolias are coming into bloom, their bare limbs supporting an abundance of upright, goblet-shaped flowers. Traditionally, these are blushing pink, but there are white, purple, crimson and even pale yellow forms. The trend in breeding is for even larger flowers and more vibrant colours. Newly released Magnolia ‘Felix’ has me looking for a spare spot in the garden, as its opulent blooms are 30cm across and fragrant. Bred in New Zealand, this cultivar won the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit in July, reassurance of its performance credentials. Felix forms a pyramid-shaped tree to 5m after 10 years, but may exceed 10m over time. Give magnolias protection from strong winds and the hottest sun and keep their shallow roots well-mulched.
TWIG
Is there a non-toxic remedy for meat ant nests in my olive trees’ roots? I’ve tried flooding them without success. We press our olives into beautiful oil.
ALISON PUGH
PERTH
Ants prefer dry soil so apply a soil-wetting agent every six months. Mortein Ant Sand is safe around trees, or dust with diatomaceous earth. Borax is effective as it’s taken back into nests but it is poisonous. Place a borax, sugar and water solution in a jar with holes in the lid so only ants can reach it.
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I’m trying not to wet my cyclamen too much but it flops every few days until I carefully water it again. Some leaves and flowers have rotted.
JEFF HARDEN
BALLANDEAN,
QUEENSLAND
Overwatering is what kills most potted cyclamens. In winter, a drink every 7-10 days is usual, unless in a constantly heated room. Let the soil dry out between waterings. Once rot has set in it’s hard to cure. Cyclamens revel in the cold; putting them outside the door each night seems to keep them perky.
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We kept the mulch made from a dead gum tree and some umbrella trees we had cut down. Can it be used straight away?
GIGI LEGENHAUSEN
PORT DOUGLAS, QUEENSLAND
Woody materials use up nitrogen as they compost but green materials contain nitrogen, so mixing the woody and leafy mulches together will probably balance out. Leave them six to eight weeks to fully compost. Before spreading on garden beds, no more than 50mm thick, apply some fertiliser to beds and ensure soil is moist.
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The rhubarb I planted last year grew well but the stems were green, not red. How can I get red stems?
BILL WHYTE,
SYDNEY
Grow named red varieties such as Sydney Crimson, Ruby Red Dwarf, Cherry Red or Red Dragon. This last was the best selection from trials of 18 red varieties by Goodman Seeds, available as crowns now. Rhubarb prefers cool climates; stems can lose colour in warmer climates. Stewing with a little beetroot, other red fruits or food colour works well.
S end your questions to: helenyoungtwig@gmail.com or Helen Young, PO Box 3098, Willoughby North, NSW 2068. Website: helenyoung.com.au. The best question for July wins a FiskarsX25 splitting axe worth $119. This big hitter with lightweight shaft is virtually unbreakable and has a 25-year warranty. June’s winner is Michele Dalton of Mount Martha, Victoria.