Large scale changes and Preparations

Picture: Grandbaby Leo helping in the garden

Plant Inventory Addendum april/may 2011. The warm wet weather has only just given way to cold windy days and so the following additions were made when we were still enjoying good planting weather.

Transplants Roses 'Anna de Diesbach' and 'Reine des Violettes' specimens were quite miserable and were placed in front garden for one more go. Rose 'Winchester Cahedral' has gone into a pot to attempt to save it. Rosa Banksia alba x2 into pots pending final placement east of house.

Chaenomeles (red flowering ornamental Quince) from a spot bullied by much more vigourous Kerria japonica and Philadelpus mexicanus into a better place where it can be seen with Chaenomeles 'Apple Blossom'.

Large clumps of Oncidium and soft cane Dendrobiums orphaned by tree removal attached to large trees in an 'orchid walk' west of the house.

New Plantings.

Alsobia 'Cygnet', a hybrid of A. dianthiflora and A. punctata low growing , trailing plant.

Blechnum gibbum (Silver lady Fern) into fern collection North garden

Dendrobium moschatum yellow flowering orchid, South Asia, potted for now on table

Heliconia stricta var 'Jamaican Dwarf', on trial although I fear that we are too cold for it.

Pedilanthus tithymaloides syn Euphorbia tithymalacoides (zig zag plant, devils backbone)

Euchomis comosa var. "Chocolate pineapple lily' South Africa Garden hybrid

Hibiscus mutabilis var. "Tony" single crimson. Horrible colour. To contrast with the double form.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'maiko'. An addition to walkway west of house, just commenced.

Hydrangea macrophylla variegatum. As above . More lace cap Hydrangeas are on order.

Otocanthus caeruleus (Little Blue Boy, Brazilian Snapdragon) . Another attempt to keep this.

Pandorea jasminoides variegatum Planted on trellis near back stairs where we gave up on roses.

Pandorea pandorana var. 'Golden Chimes' Transplanted to the trellis with P. jasminoides.

Kays Apricot china rose may be Mme Jules Thibaud

Camellia japonica 'Helenor' planted west of C. japonica 'Aspasia Macarthur'

Camellia japonica 'Tabb' Planted south of 'Aspasia MacArthur'

Camellia japonica 'Fimbriata' Planted in criss-cross garden.

Trees removed or heavily reduced .Anona (Custard Apple) , overshaded in an area dominated by Red cedars and other trees. Delonix regia (Poinciana) , very tall, brittle and has not flowered in 15 years. In an area already fully occupied by Brachychiton acerfolius, Bolly gum, Red cedar. Tibouchina 'Noelene' An area to be redeveloped to illustrate Michelia and very old fashion Camelias with variegated or mottled flower patterns.

The front hedge of Duranta repens and Ligustrum has been heavily reduced in height and width and a large pile ? 2 meters chippings produced for mulching. When used as mulch 'blood and bone' and 'dynamic lifter are added.

Michael Simpson