Grow WINTER GOLD

On cold winter days, it’s wonderfully cheery to see vivid yellow flowers. No matter where you live, there is something golden to brighten your garden. Wattle begins its main floral parade in June, with many different species blooming over winter. Banksia is at its peak now. If space is tight, look for pot-sized specimens such as Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’. Grevillea ‘Golden Lyre’ (below left) is a sprawling shrub that produces cascades of spectacular yellow blooms in winter. Two extra-special golden trees for the tropical garden are the gold trumpet tree (Tabebuia aurea, below right), which is native to South America, and the golden penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus, right) from northern Queensland. If you live in a frost-free area, see if you can find room for either or both of these.