Open gardens: Karakal

KARAKAL at 18 Lily St, Everton Hills, Queensland, is owned by Don and Elizabeth Stapleton.

Karakal Garden, Brisbane

Describe your garden:

We're in Brisbane on a suburban block that slopes steeply. All the back garden is tropical-style, with no grass, and is shaded by huge trees. When we came here in 1976, erosion had gouged a deep watercourse across the block, so we turned it into a dry creek bed, delineated with boulders and river stones. Bridges soon followed and then the gazebo, which we built over six months. Pathways lead in several directions to a bromeliad house, a ginger walk, and through a gate to the park next door. In the front garden, we've made a Japanese garden with fishponds, a water feature and bonsai bench, while another terraced area has a collection of favourite flowering azaleas, camellias, salvias and daisies.

What makes it special: It's peaceful and tranquil. It holds many memories of our son Nicky, who we lost in 2010 after a long struggle with Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. He loved the garden and was happiest when he could hose or watch the rain. He had his special rock to sit on, now Nicky's Rock.

Biggest challenges: The slope and the soil top the list. What little soil there is, is clay. Mulching is our most successful solution.

Feature plants: Elizabeth collects calatheas and caladiums that are at their colourful best now. Also staghorns, king fern, bat plants, marantas, heliconias, beehive gingers and kaempferias.

Fundraising: Teas and cakes, plants for sale propagated from the garden, embroidered handicrafts and a raffle for a quilt donated by the Gap Historical Craft group will all raise funds for Multicap. They helped us with their programs for Nicky and we thank them for their kindness and for making his life interesting and rewarding.

Karakal 18 Lily St, Everton Hills QLD 4053 Owners: Don and Elizabeth Stapleton Open this weekend 10am to 4.30pm $7 entry, under 18s free

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OTHER OPEN GARDENS THIS WEEKEND

This weekend 10am to 4.30pm. $7 entry, under 18s free.

Merry Garth, 17Davies Lane, Mount Wilson, NSW 2786

Sig and Rod'sProductive Garden, 30 Laidlaw St, Yass, NSW 2582

Rankin's RoseFarm, 2775 Old Princes Hwy, Tynong North, VIC 3814

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FLORA

IN subtropical and tropical climates, those keen on growing home produce can struggle with cold-loving asparagus and English spinach, but there's a basketful of interesting summer greens that love warm, moist conditions. Many are perennial rather than annuals. Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo, pictured), ideal for stir-fries, forms a neat mound and tolerates some shade. Mushroom plant (Rungia klossii) has similar form and uses; its leaves have a mushroom flavour and contain 3 per cent protein. Betel leaf (Piper sarmentosum) is the heart-shaped leaf upon which Thai entrees are sometimes served, not to be confused with betel nuts. It's a vigorous climber or ground cover but thrives in a pot or hanging basket. Others include kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica) and Surinam spinach (Talinum triangulare).

Tubestock and seeds from 1800 681 014 or greenharvest.com.au

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TWIG

Q: My garden is suffering from "global worming" - we've been overrun with worms. Is there a good way to control this?

Lucy Kliem, Sydney

A: If they're earthworms, it's virtually impossible to have too many, as they're so valuable in the garden. They are a good indicator of healthy, vital soil. Earthworms thrive with plenty of compost and organic matter for them to eat, and regular moisture. They don't much like tilling or soil disturbance, or artificial granular fertilisers that can burn them.

Q: In four years my macadamia has failed to thrive, despite TLC, correct doses of trace elements and a sunny spot. I envy a beautiful mature one nearby.

Irma Frieda

Adelaide Plains

Macadamias come from rainforests and along stream banks, growing best in deep, moist, but free-draining soil. This may not be what you have. In your hot, dry summer climate they benefit from regular water, some sun protection and an organic mulch over the root zone. They are slow growing.

Q: How do I stop the birds and fungus getting to my mango tree? Netting helped, but the mangoes have disease-like black bits.

Amanda Crowther, via email

A: Netting provides the best protection against birds. Also try hanging CDs so they spin, or one of the sonic repellent devices. Mangoes suffer from fungal anthracnose and bacterial spot, especially with rain and high humidity. Spray with an organic fungicide just before flowering and at fruit set.

Q: My hibiscus bushes, of several types, have a severe infestation of

leaf curl. How do I eradicate this?

Richard Blundell, Mission Beach, Qld

A: Most likely this is erinose mite, an invisible pest causing distorted, bubbly, new growth. Prune off and destroy affected foliage then spray with a horticultural oil or soap, wettable sulfur or registered miticide. To help prevent it, prune hibiscus mid-winter to allow new growth to harden before mites appear and promptly remove any signs of affected leaves.