LITTLE BOTTLER

Home may be up around Roma, but the Queensland bo le tree (Brachychiton rupestris) is becoming a southern fave, and was part of an awardwinning Aussie garden at the Chelsea Flower Show (above). Once thought hard and slow to grow, this iconic tree with its bo leshaped, water-storing trunk is showing terrific adaptability. The key is direct sun, a high nitrogen/low phosphorus fertiliser and regular watering – although too much water rots its roots.