18 Jun
0
3680
Title image above is copyright © Optimate Group Pty Ltd
First published 18th June 2021
First off, I am a complete novice to bonsai, and not to be regarded as some kind of knowledgeable person, because I am not. In fact, this blog section will be me documenting my experiences and mistakes as I go, ..
18 Jun
0
8416
Title image above is copyright © Optimate Group Pty Ltd
First published 18th June 2021
Mints belong to the genus Mentha, and 24 species are recognised. Mints readily hybridise and around 15 different cultivars and varieties are recognised.
Mints can tolerate a range of conditions, but always do be..
28 May
0
1692
Title image above is copyright © Optimate Group Pty Ltd
First published 28th May 2021
This is a summary of plants with a reputation for pest control, presented without opinion or proof. That part will come with time!
Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is said to repel:
aphids
cabbage worms (caterpillars o..
24 May
0
1592
Title image above is copyright © Optimate Group Pty Ltd
First published 24th May 2021
Plants produce many phytochemicals (literally ‘plant chemicals’) to defend themselves against everything from microscopic viruses, bacteria and fungi, to macroscopic insects, aphids, mites, birds and animals. Som..
20 May
0
6346
Title image above is copyright © Optimate Group Pty Ltd
First published 20th May 2021
This earlier post covered the rules that apply when naming a plant scientifically.
This post follows on from that, by listing the words which are quite common to these names — and this can be both fun and really ..
13 Mar
0
6793
Title image above is copyright © Optimate Group Pty Ltd
First published 13th March 2021
Your own bay laurel shrub not only gives you immediate access to fresh bay leaves whilst cooking, but also access to year-round, free, safe-to-handle insect repellant!
The leaves of the Bay Laurel (Laurus nobil..
18 Feb
0
8720
Title image above is copyright © The Caledonian Tree Co. Ltd
First published 18th February 2021
Updated on 18th June 2021
Air-Pot containers are the original and the best air-pruning containers around, and here you’ll learn how to get the most out of them!
There are two very important steps that e..
06 Feb
0
8981
Title image above is copyright © Optimate Group Pty Ltd
(This article was originally published 20th June 2019 here on our Australian Botanical Art site.)
First published here 6th February 2021
You may have noticed that we’ve listed all our flowers by their common names as well as their scientific ..
17 Mar
0
7589
Title image above is copyright © The Caledonian Tree Co. Ltd
First published 17th March 2020
Air-Pot® containers are the original and the best air-pruning containers around, which have been made in Scotland, UK from recycled plastic since 1997.
These air-pruning containers are UV-stabilised and la..