Articles

The greater Sydney area is home to many different types of palm trees.  Palms give the area a tropical look, so they are very popular with residents in the coastal regions. They range in size and hardiness, but they all have one thing in common – they require a reasonable amount of work by way of cleaning up the fruit they regularly drop, and the fronds which die off. Palms grow taller by losing the lower fronds. In order to maintain an attractive palm, these dying fronds need to be removed or cut off at the trunk. The most common palms in the gardens of Sydney are the Bismarkia, Golden Cane, Chinese Windmill, Cascade, Nicolai and Alexandra palms.  The Bamboo [...]

Controlling weed growth is generally a matter of choice, on the part of the landowner, however if a weed on your property is declared noxious in your area, you have a legal responsibility to keep it under control. Weed control in NSW is determined and regulated by a number of Local Control Authorities, each governing a number of shires or councils. The list is determined by the Noxious Weeds (Weed Control) Order 2014 published in the NSW Government Gazette, and gives details regarding the nature and control requirements for each species declared to be a Noxious Weed in that area. To view the list of noxious weeds for your area in NSW, simply visit this noxious weeds website select the suburb or [...]

Sydney is home to a great number of Jacaranda trees, and they have become somewhat of an icon here, signalling the impending arrival of summer, and for many, a reminder that exams are imminent. Some streets are covered with a purple carpet, as well as a purple canopy. It is a welcome mess, adding colour and shade, bringing richness to a landscape which consisted of little more than bare branches for the preceding colder months. The Jacaranda heralds summer with a real flair. The Jacaranda tree grows rather large, so if planting a new one, consideration needs to be made for the space required to allow the new tree to flourish. A Jacaranda can grow the width of a property, [...]

About 1000 species of plants in Australia are known to be toxic to humans and fauna. Some may cause skin and eye irritation, rashes and other forms of discomfort, but there are those which, if ingested, may cause vomiting and diarrhoea and worse, if medical attention is not obtained. The Oleander was a common plant in Australia, but has reduced in number due to increasing knowledge about its toxicity. If any part of the plant is ingested it can be fatal, especially for children. Fortunately, the leaves are very bitter, so children are not generally tempted to eat them. None the less, these plants should not be planted in areas where children play. Deadly Nightshade, also known as “devil’s berries” [...]

Planting a hedge in your garden creates a sense of space, direction and privacy. Hedges can be used instead of fencing along a border, and give definition in a most attractive way, if planted and nurtured correctly. Hedges require regular trimming to keep them looking presentable, so don’t plant a hedge if you are not prepared to do the ongoing maintenance. An unkempt hedge is not a pretty sight! Most hedges are evergreen, retaining their foliage all year round. This makes for excellent screening and creates a permanent barrier which offers privacy. However, some hedges are deciduous providing added beauty to the garden when they lose their foliage in Autumn, and when they flower. Deciduous hedges are not usually established [...]

There are many trees and plants which produce a mass of colour in the Autumn months throughout Australia. Trees which lose their leaves each year are called deciduous and these are often the tree of choice because they provide shade in summer, but allow for the penetration of the winter sun in the cooler months. Whole streets in Sydney change colour as a row of Liquidambars turn red before they lose their leaves. Although the fallen leaves make a terrible mess and play havoc with Sydney’s storm water system, the trees are still very much enjoyed and protected. Liquidambars are fast growing and can reach to 30 metres in height. The autumn foliage is spectacular. The Magnolia sheds its leaves [...]