Top ten list of garden plants

  • Abutilons of all kinds
  • Buddlejas old and new
  • Epiphytic orchids and ferns
  • Gordonia species
  • Heliotrope, Lemon verbena, Fennel and herbs
  • Michelias of all sorts
  • Perennial Salvias large and small
  • Species Camellias
  • Tea and China Roses
  • Weigela of all types

Montville Rose

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

No excuse

For my birthday Michael gave me the Clive Blazey book, 'There is no excuse for ugliness".I think I feel much the same as the author and really can't understand why most Australian gardens can be so ugly.Councils too have dropped the ball with the rigid landscaping of public spaces and the unexciting planting. Sure there is always a place for a few natives but many places could be improved with a sassy colourful exotic plant - preferably one that provides shade here in Queensland.
There was a time when people were  house proud and maintained the outside of their properties mainly with that shorn piece of lawn and perhaps a flower bed or two.Yet lately I have noticed a distinct lack of care for both domestic spaces and roadside and public areas.

There is a particular spot in Montville on the southern side /coming from Maleny which illustrates this point. It is at the end of Western Avenue so I see it everyday. One side has the Entry statement  on a terraced garden and despite the weeds looks half cared for but the southern side is completely neglected. I used to take a bottle of round up with me when I went walking and attempt to cull some weeds but before long the whole thing is looking shabby again. Is it that people simply do not see it? Is it that we no longer have a "tidy towns' project and people can't be bothered ?
I am sort of convinced that people don't see it as they speed towards the shops.
I am sometimes tempted to take over some public space and plant it up with the  hardy colourful plants I have at hand but it is sure to incite aback lash from people who can't see any plant but natives being used anywhere and would prefer to have weeds.
It is great to see some of the Montville businesses doing up the gardens in town  as it all contributes to making the place look cared for. This morning I worked at the Church garden and it has changed a bit since this photo was taken. I have added a couple of plants from our place  including a Tagetes  which I love for it's sunny yellow flowers and the smell of the foliage  and it is so nice to have people stop to talk or ask about the plants or maybe
they just want to pat the dog!






"I just don't get it,first we have to do the garden at home and next thing she's gardening again"
Shadow

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