Plantology review: A groundbreaking ‘plant bible’ for Australian gardens

Finally – a groundbreaking ‘plant bible’ for Australian gardens and gardeners with in-depth profiles of more than 180 proven plant species.

The 660-page book is beautifully designed and packed with inspirational photographs of gardens created by top landscape designers Picture: Thurston Empson

Getting your plant selection right is key for successful and low-maintenance gardens – but resources on how do this for Australian conditions have been limited. To address this, two talented Melbourne women have produced a groundbreaking “plant bible” for Australians. Landscape designer Lisa Ellis and horticulturist Teena Crawford have tapped their 60 years of combined experience in Plantology: The Essential Guide to Better Gardens (Barometer Books, $95). “The aim is to encourage use of a broader palette of plants and we’ve included many tips to make a garden feel more ‘designed’,” says Ellis.

The 660-page book is beautifully designed and packed with inspirational photographs of gardens created by top landscape designers. It’s a reference guide for home gardeners and professionals, with in-depth profiles of more than 180 proven plant species, including some worthy – but less fashionable – performers. For each, there are details on how and where to grow them, design tips, and lists of complementary and substitute plants. An extensive “plant Thesaurus” lists the synonymous plant aesthetics and tolerances. There’ll be talks and signings at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show March 26-30.

What to Plant

Four of the authors’ favourite plants for good looks and tough performance …

Mackaya bella (forest bell bush)

Crithmum maritimum (Rock samphire)

… which deserve to be more widely used.

Geranium ‘Rozanne’ (Rozanne geranium)

Callistemon ‘White Anzac’ (Dwarf white bottlebrush)

Q&A

One of my tomato plants has a stem that looks like it hit the gym and bulked up overnight. It’s a weird, flattened, mutant-looking stem with flowers squished together like they’re forming a tomato cult. What’s going on?

Dawn Mitchell, by email

This is a type of abnormal growth called fasciation, which, although uncommon, occurs in the stems, flowers and/or fruits of many different plants, with sometimes grotesque results. Celosia cristata or brain flower is grown for its reliable fasciation, the result of a mutation carried in its seeds. Fasciation can be from a random genetic mutation or caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, cold or chemicals. Any fruit that form would still be safe to eat.

Our lawn is overrun by ants and their holes. How can I get rid of them without potentially harming my children and local wildlife?

Clare, Melbourne

The simplest method is to pour boiling water into the nest centres. Diatomaceous earth (DE), applied as a dust or in wettable form, will kill ants; it’s organic and non-toxic. Buy food grade DE and wear a mask when applying. Ants love dry, sandy soil – so you can change the lawn environment to discourage them. Apply a soil wetting agent and increase watering if possible. Regular water, fertiliser and mowing will make your lawn grow more strongly and make nesting harder for ants.

I grow several types of tomatoes each year, but why are the ‘Grosse Lisse’ always so watery that they’re virtually useless for eating? Restricting water makes no difference. My favourite variety is ‘Oxheart’.

Allan Gadsby, Canberra

‘Grosse Lisse’ is a naturally soft and juicy variety, good for slicing, salads and juicing. By contrast, ‘Roma’ has one of the lowest water contents, so its meatier flesh is good for sauces. Overwatering is the most common cause of watery tomatoes; they lack flavour because the sugars and nutrients are so diluted. Other possible causes are excessive heat and deficiencies of phosphorus and potassium.

Felco secateurs and holster.

Send your questions to [e-mail] The best question for March will win a pair of iconic, Swiss presicion Felco 2 secateurs and a Felco 910 holster worth $169 (heiniger.com.au/felco)