My island home: Tasmanian gardens in the spotlight
A new book explores the exquisite gardens and unique outlook of the gardeners thriving on the Apple Isle. Take a glimpse into their backyards.
Covering 20 gardens from all corners of the state,Tasmanian Gardens (Thames & Hudson, $80) is much more than your usual garden compendium. It’s written with such intelligence and heart, it’s no surprise author Meg Bignell has written three successful novels. Her collaborator – they insist it was an equal partnership – is Alice Bennett, an award-winning photographer. Both garden on rural properties and are born-and-bred Tasmanians who embarked on an exploration of lesser-known gardens and their stories. “We just really like gardens,” they say in the book’s introduction. “Also, we love Tasmania and we enjoy talking to people, being outdoors and looking at beautiful things.” They met some “gloriously miscellaneous characters” who share common qualities: “They are all accomplished artists … They are all infinitely generous. They work exceptionally hard and they are undeterred by failure.” The uplifting stories of these people cover a diverse range of properties such as an exquisite Renaissance garden, two flower farms, a wild coastal garden and the hillside garden of a sculptor. Interspersed are “ponderings” on topics such as giant kelp habitat restoration, orange lichen and rhododendrons.
Pretty Gorgeous perennials
Plectranthus are low maintenance, pretty perennials, ideal for semi-shaded spots. ‘Mona Lavender’ is a popular hybrid with lavender flower spikes in autumn, purplish undersides to the leaves and a neat shape.
The Mona series now includes amethyst, white and pink. pma.com.au
Q&A
My tomatoes have sunken, discoloured areas on their bases. Why?
Chris Lloyd, by email
Blossom end rot affects developing tomatoes (and zucchini, capsicums and eggplants). It’s caused by calcium deficiency and exacerbated by irregular watering. Apply lime or dolomite if your soil is acidic, or gypsum that won’t affect soil pH. Liquid forms are faster-acting than powders.
My potted balcony Stephanotis (called Karl) gets white, fluffy bugs on its leaves and flowers, with a sticky residue. I’ve tried soapy water and two insect sprays but they quickly return.
Kay Jones, Shoalwater, WA
Mealybugs are one of the hardest pests to treat but common on indoor and sheltered plants. They’ve become resistant to most insecticides and also infest plant roots, meaning sprays don’t eradicate them. In my experience, organic Eco-Neem is the most effective. You can also use it as a soil drench. Repeats will be necessary but do it early, before populations build again. You can also dab pests with a cotton bud dipped in methylated spirits.
Our dwarf lemon is suffering badly from gall wasp infestation. Can I eradicate it and prevent future attacks?
Stewart Anderson, by email
This tiny native pest attacks new growth, the galls growing over months to form large lumps on stems. Prune off galls between April and June to minimise fresh regrowth. Or slice off one side of each gall with sharp secateurs, knife or potato peeler to expose and kill the larvae. Galls removed after July need to be burned or sealed and left in the sun for a month. Adult wasps emerge in spring but don’t travel far, re-infesting the same or nearby trees.
Send your questions to helenyoungtwig@gmail.com. The best question for March wins the versatile STIHL GTA 26 garden pruner kit, worth $299 including battery and charger
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