Episode: #2 09/09/2006
Presenter: Melissa King

Australian plants are absolute show-offs at this time of year. Spring is a great time to get planting so here are a few of the beauties to get into the garden this weekend.

Lechanaultia (L. Formosa) has fiery red flowers, which scream “look at me” and has a relaxed form that lends itself to cottage style garden.

Wattles take centre stage in early spring and you'll love Acacia guinettii with its low growing form and if you're after a stunning ground cover then look no further than Grevillea lanigera with woolly grey foliage and bright red flowers that carpet the ground in colour.

Among the star performing grafted natives it's difficult to beat Pimelia physodes. This is a most unusual and beautiful plant.

You can also cut back any winter flowering natives like epacris or correas that have finished their display. A good trim helps to keep them nice and compact. Correas are great bird attracting plants and they're easy to propagate so don't waste those tip cuttings.

Plan to take a walk through the bush at this time of year, even locally, because the wildflower displays are just magical. The flowering heaths are one of the earliest to look out for because they have been flowering since the middle of winter. There are some beautiful varieties that flourish in the home garden.

Try Victoria's floral emblem, the deep pink form of Epacris impressa. You will also love the fuschia heath (Epacris longiflora) as it displays pretty red tubular flowers with a white tip that are filled with bird attracting nectar.

There is a frenzy of growth in spring, so its time for some serious feeding. When it comes to Australian plants Blood and Bone is great stuff. It's an organic fertiliser, so the nutrients are released slowly to plants. It also promotes healthy soil by improving the structure and encouraging good soil micro-organisms and earth worms. Just be aware that dogs love it as much as plants do so rake and water the blood and bone in after you apply it.

This weeks permanent water saving rule:

Driveways, paths, concrete and paved areas are permanent dry zones, so no walking on water, get out the broom.

If you need inspiration to get native plants into the garden, then Jacobs garden is the place to go during Australia's Open Garden Scheme. Don't miss this unique opportunity.

Jacobs garden
377 Cambridge Rd , Montrose
OPEN 30 September-1 October

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Blood and Bone

• An organic fertiliser suitable for all gardens including Australian natives.
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