From "Yallaroo", March 2008

Half Pruning

Pruning is an integral part of our horticultural activities. Some plants, particularly Callistemons and Acacias, tend to become straggly without cutting back, whereas with pruning plants remain bushy and bloom bounteously. As our garden has developed some plants have escaped slaughter by secateurs. Some of these plants have become a trifle straggly. The concern is that pruning each stem may be too great a shock to the plant and trigger expiration. These straggly specimens are now ”half pruned”. Half the stems are cut back to a reasonable length and the remainder are left uncut. If the pruned stems begin to shoot then the rest are pruned. Over the years we have found that most plants respond positively to this treatment with the majority of pruned stems putting on new growth.

Response to Rain

Sheep were removed from Yallaroo over ten years ago and since then there has been a satisfying regeneration of many herbaceous natives. The summer of 2007 saw a splendid display of Chocolate Lilies (Dichopogon fimbriatus), Fringed Violets (Thysanotus tuberosus) and Hyacinth Orchids (Dipodium punctatum). They have responded to the mid- to late-spring rain and have appeared in large numbers particularly in the eastern part of the property.

The Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa) display, on the other hand, has been very disappointing. Over the years we have noticed that this native lily requires rain earlier in the year to trigger a mass display.

In 2005 rain fell in late autumn and early winter. This moisture triggered a mass flowering of Bulbine Lilies. There were columns of bright yellow flowers everywhere. This season we were lucky to see 20 plants. Hopefully the rain this year will fall at the right time for the Bulbine Lilies. Chocolate Lilies, Fringed Violets and Hyacinth Orchids seem to respond to rain at any time before the spring/summer flowering season.

Hakea Seeds

One of our 2008 projects is to grow as many Hakea species as possible. Last October we ordered a number of Hakea seed packets from Nindethana in Western Australia. After Christmas we decided to purchase more Hakea species. When we looked at Nindethana’s online catalogue we found that their list had grown considerably since October. The list had increased by 22 species. The catalogue lists 115 Hakeas. Not bad when you consider that there are a total of 148 Hakeas. Seed packets are about $1.80 from Nindethana. There are some interesting New South Wales additions.

A North Coast species is Hakea actites. It is a prickly shrub similar to Hakea sericea. Hakea archaeoides is a rare species also from the North Coast. This tall shrub has large clusters of green and red flowers. Hakea constablei is a native of the Blue Mountains. A recent discovery has extended the range of this prickly, white-flowered species. Large woody fruits are characteristic of this tall shrub. Hakea ochroptera comes from the Dorrigo region and is similar in appearance to the better-known Hakea macreana. Hakea pachyphylla comes from the upper Blue Mountains and is a very prickly shrub with yellow spring flowers. John and Barbara Nevin have a specimen in their garden.

Cheiranthera telfordii

Some years ago the late Ian Fardon told us about some small, blue-flowered plants along the Torryburn Road. We went looking and found plants near the Gwydir Park turnoff. After referring to a number of publications we identified the plants as Cheiranthera cyanea.

Recently Ian Telford told us about the same population and how well the plants were flowering. This necessitated another trip along the Torryburn Road. We were rewarded by observing a mass flowering of Cheiranthera plants. In the intervening years the species has had a name change and is now Cheiranthera telfordii. The flowers of this small shrub are deep blue with distinctive yellow anthers. The arrangement of the anthers gives the species its common name: 'Finger Flower'. Cheiranthera telfordii normally reaches a height of 30 centimetres but the growth habit sometimes changes if growing beside a taller plant. The 'Finger Flower' stems elongate and twine around the stems of its neighbour. In some cases the elongated stems reach 60 centimetres in length. The 'Finger Flower' would be an eye-catching addition to a rockery or native cottage garden. Propagate from seed or cuttings.

Warren & Gloria Sheather, March 2008

For further information go to the "Yallaroo" website.

APS Armidale gratefully acknowledges the financial support of New England Mutual for this website.