Environments - FLORICULTURIST - FLOWER GROWER
Flowers
in your garden - have a go!
Primary
Middle Secondary
Australian
Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability
Priority
Australian
Curriculum General Capability:
Personal and social capability
Australian
Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability
1. It stands to reason that different parts of
Australia encourage different flowers. Have a look at the following chart
2. Plan which flowers you would like to grow in your
region. Most of these flowers are introduced.
3. Why not add some native flowers? Here is a list of
Native Flowers you could have a go at growing (Source:
Better Homes & Gardens):
Just choose one or two to start with. Look at the characteristics,
particularly soil type and choose what will grow well in your area.
1. Desert
Flame Chrysocephalum apiculatum
Desert Flame is a perennial Australian native that brings a
blaze of colour to the garden with golden yellow flowers and silvery
grey foliage. It's a hardy, maintenance plant that provides stunning
ground cover and can grow 20–30cm tall. It prefers temperate
climates and grows best in full sun or part shade and most soil
types.
|
(Source:
Plantmark) |
2. Grevillea
Grown all over Australia, grevilleas are fuss-free, native shrubs
that flower profusely! They come in a great range of sizes, from
ground covers and mid-sized shrubs to tall screening plants, which
are perfect for privacy. Their year-round flowers are also simply
irresistible to native birds and insects. These beauties need
well-drained soils and are sun lovers, so plant in full sun and keep
sheltered from strong winds. |
(Source:
Gardening Australia) |
3. Kangaroo
paw Anigozanthos
Absolutely stunning when in bloom, evergreen when not, the
popular native kangaroo paw is an ideal low-maintenance but
high-impact plant. And fun fact – the Anigozanthos is the state
flower of Western Australia. All species have strap-like leaves and
tubular flowers, you can find them in single, bi-coloured and even
tri-coloured forms, in red, yellow, green, orange, pink and
near-white. Kangaroo paws do best in slightly acidic soils with good
drainage and full sun exposure. |
(Source:
UWA) |
4. Canberra
Bells Correa
Correa ‘Canberra Bells’ produces a mass of red and cream
bell-shaped flowers throughout autumn on a compact shrub to 1m.
Frost and drought hardy, correas are sometimes referred to as native
fuchsias and are one of the most reliable native shrubs for autumn
colour. This one is great in a mixed garden bed or as a low growing
hedge; prune lightly after flowering to maintain a neat compact
shape. It grows well in almost any soil, in shade or full sun, but
prefers a light sandy soil with good drainage and a position
protected from wind. |
(Source:
Bywong Nursery) |
5. Pink rock
lily Dendrobium
The Australian native Dendrobium kingianum, or pink rock lily,
is tough and easy to grow, producing delicate flowers from pure
white through to pink and purple. On the other end of the spectrum
is the striking Cooktown orchid with round, long-lasting flowers.
And there are many more in this huge genus. All dendrobiums like
light but need shelter from intense midday sun. Tropical species
require warmer conditions and more humidity than temperates. During
the hotter months, a weekly feed of one-quarter strength fertiliser
will ensure robust healthy growth, but as the weather starts to
cool, ease off the watering and fertiliser. Australian native
dendrobiums will thrive on rock faces or attached to tree branches
in filtered light. |
(Source:
RedEarth) |
6. Aussie
Box Westringia
Westringia ‘Aussie Box’, a new form of the popular shrub, makes
a lovely low hedge. Growing to about 60 x 60cm, it’s drought-hardy
and produces tiny mauve flowers on and off throughout the year. It
prefers full sun to light shade, suits most soil types and tolerates
frost and drought. |
(Source:
Twitter) |
7. Lilly
pilly Syzygiun smithii
Lilly pilly – also known as an Australian cherry – is an
evergreen tree that has glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers in
summer before producing edible red or purple fruit. It's a popular
hedge option as it quite dense and can be trimmed and ‘topiaried’ to
your heart’s content. Lilly pillies prefer fertile, well-draining
soil. |
(Source:
Nurseries Online) |
8.
Bottlebrushes Callistemon
The bottlebrushes gets its name from the vibrant, red flower
arrangements it produces, which closely resembles a bottle cleaning
brush. Tree shapes and sizes vary considerably, so there’s one
suitable for just about any garden. Bottlebrushes are a hardy,
low-maintenance plant, which can do well (and even thrive) in damp
conditions. Bursting into bloom from early spring, bottlebrush
delivers rich pickings for birds. |
(Source:
Harwoodslawncare) |
9. Silver
spurflower Plectranthus argentatus
The leaves and branches of this loose-spreading shrub are
covered with short silver hairs, which create a fabulous shimmery
gleam in the garden. Native to Australia, it’s one of the best
silver-leaved plants to use in shady areas. |
(Source:
Garden Tags) |
10.
Australian honeysuckles Banksia
Loved for their flower spikes in gold, red and orange, banksias
flower profusely and for an extended period. They come in various
forms, from medium-sized shrubs to spreading groundcovers, and make
eye-catching arrangements for events like parties, weddings and
funerals. A favourite, ‘Giant Candles’ produces large flower spikes
on a 4m tall shrub. For lower growing options, check out dwarf
varieties of banksia, such as ‘Cherry Candles’. It has a spreading
habit of 1.5–2m – great for pots or in ground. Plant in
well-draining soil or native potting mix and full sun. Feed with a
controlled release fertiliser formulated for natives.
|
(Source:
Dale Harvey) |
11.Pink
(common) heath Epacris impressa
A generous bloomer, common heath (Epacris impressa) flowers
almost year-round, but is most profuse in winter. Flower colour
varies from white to pink to deep crimson. It grows up to 1m tall
and wide, but commonly remains a 50cm shrub in gardens. Plant in
well-drained sandy soil and full sun or part shade. Prune after
flowering to maintain its bushy shape. It is Victoria's floral
emblem. |
(Source:
Castlemaine Flora) |
12. Coral
Pea or Flame Pea Chorizema
Chorizema has orange, pink and red flowers in winter and early
spring. So versatile, let it sprawl across garden beds, use as a
groundcover or support it to grow as a climber. It grows 1–1.5m high
and wide, but you can contain it with a light trim. Plant in moist,
well‐drained soil and dappled light. Cut back hard after flowering
to maintain a tidy form. |
(Source:
Olelantanaseeds) |
13.
Waxflower Crowea exalata
With star-shaped flowers in white or pink, croweas are
available as low-growing groundcovers or compact shrubs. Growing
20cm–1.5m high and spreading 75cm – 1.5m, they make great border
plants. Look for large-flowering Crowea exalata ‘Southern
Stars’. It has dainty blooms and purple stems. Plant in well-drained
soil in partial sun. Lightly prune when flowering finishes. |
(Source:
FlowerPower) |
14. Wattles
Acacia
The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) variety is the
national flower of Australia. Wattles live life in the fast lane,
growing rapidly from seed and producing stunning yellow flowers from
a young age. Wattles grow happily in any sunny to semi-shaded spot.
They have good tolerance to extremes of both heat and cold, however,
if your garden is prone to heavy winter frosts, it’s worth planting
species indigenous to your area, as these will be the most robust
growers. Wattles aren’t fussy about soil types but do need it to be
free draining, so don’t plant in soggy spots that are slow to drain
after heavy rainfall. |
(Source:
Amnesty) |
15. Waratah
Telopea speciosissima
The waratah is arguably the most beautiful and instantly
recognisable of our native wildflowers. The bold, usually blood-red
flower heads are held above striking foliage, shining like beacons
in the bush during spring. The type that most people know is
Telopea speciosissima, the New South Wales waratah, and its
hybrid forms. Part sun is best as only a few waratahs tolerate full
or afternoon sun. Protect from wind. Waratahs thrive in
free-draining, preferably slightly acid soil, with material such as
a leaf compost blended in. Don't plant into clay soil as they won't
tolerate wet feet.
|
(Source:
ANPSA) |
16. Sturt's
Desert Pea Swainsona formosa
Sturt's desert pea is the floral emblem for South Australia,
famous for its eye-catching blood-red petals, each with a black
pea-like centre. They can be difficult to grow at home and full sun
and perfect drainage is essential for success. |
(Source:
BGPA WA) |
4. Each month, record a Plant Diary with your mobile's
camera. This will give you an idea for next year - which plants did well in
your garden and which ones did not. Create your diary into a short video.
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