SPRING STAKE-OUT
All the winter wind over the past few weeks has taken its toll on gardens. Broken branches can generally be tidied up to encourage new growth to fill in the gaps, but where plants have been uprooted or too badly damaged to rescue they need to be removed.
That’s what happened in a friend’s garden, but replanting is a bit of a problem. The large coast rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) that snapped off at ground level left a large gap in a spot that gets little direct sun. What can be planted instead, she asked?
My first thought was to fill the space with a man fern. These native tree ferns tolerate shade and are available as tall-trunked plants ready to plant. One or even several would create an instant garden feature and fill the gap. Underplant the tall ferns with smaller ferns or shade-loving ground covers such as native violets or baby’s tears for a mini garden.
Shrubby options
She was happy with the fern suggestion, but I also offered some flowering options to consider. There are many flowering options for shade, but these will be slower to fill up the gap. To replace the fallen native with another native option I recommended chefs cap correa (Correa baeuerlenii), which tolerates a shady spot and is fast growing.
Chefs cap correa grows to around 1.5m-2m high and wide, with small, tubular green flowers for much of the year, but especially in winter. The flowers are reminiscent of the shape of the tall traditional chef hat.
This correa is frost tolerant and can be pruned and shaped. The flowers attract insects and small, nectar-feeding birds. Its main need is for a cool, moist root run especially to get established.
Full of flowers and available in garden centres now are camellias, particularly japonica camellias. A white-flowered variety such as Polar Bear or Lovelight would be a good choice to brighten up a dark, shady spot and these flowers too are insect and bird attracting.
Preparing for replanting
When a plant has to be removed because it has been damaged, the broken branches are just the beginning. Under the soil there’ll be lots of roots. Unless they are also removed, it will be difficult to replant.
The roots of an old shrub can usually be dug out, but if the fallen plant is a tree it may be necessary to use a stump grinder to remove them.
Once the area is clear of unwanted old roots, dig over the space and add some extra organic matter such as compost to improve the soil.
If the soil is very dry, the addition of extra organic matter is vital to help the soil hold more moisture. Soil wetting agents can also be used to help rewet the soil.
If the space is exposed to wind, make sure the new plant is firmly in the ground and staked, to avoid being buffeted by the wind. Use three stakes around a tall plant and tie with soft ties such as hessian strapping.
Don’t make the ties too tight or the plant could snap. For extra protection while it is still windy and while the new plant settles in, wrap a windbreak of plastic, hessian or shadecloth around the stakes.
Daffodil and camellia show at Claremont
This weekend drop into the Claremont Spring Flower Show and enjoy a spring flower hit from the massed displays of daffodils, camellias and other plants.
The show opens this afternoon at 1pm and I will be presenting trophies at 2pm. It is also on tomorrow from 10am-3.45pm. The show is at the Claremont Memorial Hall, corner of Main Rd and Bilton St, Claremont. Entry is $2 (children under 12 free).