The Tropical Garden

From sweet frangipani to showy hibiscus, the tropical garden is full of sweet scented delights. BY MIA COWLING

Elegance, wealth, prosperity - beautiful peonies have a reputation that precedes them including being difficult to grow. But once you master a few basic tricks, they may just be the most rewarding flowers to bloom in your garden.

Did you know? Summer is the best time to see butterflies in the garden after they have emerged from their cocoons in the springtime. If the weather is too hot, butterflies will seek shade from the summer sun under leaves and shady plants in the garden. Each autumn, millions of Monarch butterflies leave their summer grounds and head to warmer winter breeding grounds.

Did you know? Jasmine flowers release their sweetly perfumed fragrance at night after the sun has set and when the moon is waxing towards being full.

Image: Khanh Lee

If you are lucky to be living in a tropical climate growing a tropical garden full of lush green plants and exquisitely scented blooms will be a breeze, in other climates creating micro-climates within the garden can allow you to grow some of these beauties.

Frangipani Nothing says the tropics like the scent of frangipani flowers in the garden. Frangipani trees grow best in well-drained soil, in full sun positions and in areas free from frost and cold temperatures. Frangipanis should only need watering during spring and summer months. They are fairly slow growing but will grow into a large sized tree so choose your position in the garden wisely. Hibiscus While hibiscus will grow best in tropical and warm weather climate, there are deciduous varieties that will also grow in cold climates. Protect hibiscus from strong winds, choose a sunny position and water, mulch and feed regularly during growing periods to ensure you are rewarded with big, showy blooms.

Ginger Growing your own ginger can be so rewarding and if you live in a warm climate you should have success with ginger plants. Choose a sheltered spot with filtered sunshine and plant in a rich, moist soil. Ginger plants hate frost, and direct sun so choose the position wisely. Passion Flower

Choose a full sun, sheltered position for passion flowers away from dry or strong winds. Ideally plant alongside a trellis or fence as passion flowers love to climb. A well-draining soil is ideal and fertilise once or twice a year to keep the vines looking their best. After flowering give your passion flowers a light trim. If you live in a cold climate you can grow passion flower indoors in a large pot by a window with bright light. Once the last frost has past, move the vine back outdoors until the cold weather arrives again

Jasmine Sweet scented jasmine is a joy in any garden and while there are varieties that can be grown in a number of different areas it really thrives in warm, tropical and sub-tropical climates. Protecting your jasmine from cold, harsh temperatures is key so choose a sheltered warm position with plenty of sunshine. Jasmine is best grown on a trellis or fence where it can grow to its heart’s content, filling the garden with the scent of its intoxicating white blooms

Tropical Leaves Cushion $109

republicofhappy.co.uk Add a touch of the tropics to your home with this pretty duo.

David Bromley x Robert Gordon Only Yesterday Large Butterfly $79

robertgordon.com.au

SUMMER Garden Maintenance

Mulch Keeping plants cool and protected from the hot summer sun is one of the best things you can do for your garden, adding a layer of mulch will keep plants roots happier and prevent excess moisture loss. Layer with about 2-3 inches of organic matter.

Weed Weeds love to get a hold in the garden in the warmer month, seemingly doubling their size overnight! Pull weeds out when they are young and small, once they have become established it will take more time and effort to get them under control.

Prune Keep plants in top condition by lightly pruning any dead heads and brown or withered leaves. A light summer prune will keep many plants, particularly roses, looking their best through until autumn.

Water The most optimal time to water the garden is in the early morning before the sun is at its peak. Always water the base your plants, not the leaves, fruit or foliage as this will make them more vulnerable to disease and mildew. Watering in the late afternoon is the next best time. Try not to water at time as the leaves may not dry out over night.

Shade You may need to move potted plants into a shady position in very hot summer weather as they can dry out easily in the heat of the day. When you are planning your garden consider adding shady sections with hardy trees and shrubs that will act as protection for more vulnerable plants.

From The Kitchen Garden

tomato

The tomato is one of the kitchen’s most versatlie fruits. From salads to pasta sauce and everything in-between, tomatoes are a kitchen staple that every home cook should have on hand. Growing your own tomatoes will ensure you have the juciest and most flavour packed fruit and, if you grow enough, you will be able to make sauces and chutneys to freeze and use in the kitchen all year around. Location, Location, Location

Tomatoes grow best in full sun, try to position your tomato plants in a location that has up to 8 hours of sunshine each day. If you are growing tomatoes plants in a garden bed they will need staking as they continue to grow. Cherry tomatoes grown in hanging pots will need room to tumble down the sides of the pots.

Timing

Tomatoes like warm, sunny conditions so if you are in a cold climate region wait until well after the last frost in spring to plant your tomato bushes. In warmer climates you may be lucky enough to grow tomatoes all year around. If you are planting multiple tomato plants, try planting one each week so you will have a continual harvest of fruit over the summer months and into early autumn.

Water and Nutrition

Tomatoes will get thirsty during the summer months so make sure you water regularly. Tomatoes planted in pots will dry out more quickly, so make sure they are being watered well every few days. Fertilise in the early growing stage with a non-toxic, natural fertiliser. Pruning and Harvest

Tomatoes typically take between 10-14 weeks to be ready for harvest. Pick tomatoes when the fruit has ripened to a glorious juicy red, but before they fall from the vines. If you allow tomatoes to stay on the vine for too long once they are ripe you may find that you are sharing your tomato fruit with some unwanted pests. Companion Planting

Garlic, onions and chives are great companion plants for tomatoes and will help to keep pesky critters away from your ripe fruit. Basil is also an excellent companion herb for tomatoes and makes a perfect compantion to tomatoes in the kitchen too.

RoastedHeriloom Tomato and Goat's Curd Toasts

Ingredients

2 slices of sourdough bread 2 small bunches of vine tomatoes 2 heirloom tomatoes 2 tbsp of soft ricotta cheese 40g goat’s curd, crumbled 2 tbsp olive oil 8 sprigs of thyme leaves Salt & pepper

Method 1. Pre-heat oven to 180C (350F). 2. Place tomatoes on a sheet of baking paper on a tray and drizzle with olive oil, scatter with 4 sprigs of thyme and season with salt and pepper. 3. Roast in oven for 10 minutes until the tomatoes have blistered. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. 4. Toast sourdough slices and spread with ricotta cheese, add crumbled goat’s curd evenly between the toasts and top with roasted tomatoes. 5. Serve drizzled with a little extra olive oil, remaining thyme sprigs and cracked pepper. Enjoy!

Forest Glade Gardens

In the tiny hamlet of Mount Macedon in Victoria’s north lies a cool climate garden that is a delight for the senses all year around.

High up on a mountainside in Victoria's north lies a magical garden that is a garden lovers delight. Set across 14 acres of a private estate, Forest Glade Gardens and themed in four distinct gardens, the Japanese garden, a cool fern gully, the English garden and a woodland area.

The cool climate location of Mount Macedon is the perfect backdrop for a wide range of native and exotic plant species that thrive in the mountain air. There are many statues, fountains and walkways dotted throughout the gardens and each season brings it sown unique display of colour. The region is well known for its impressive open gardens so make a day of it and visit more than one garden.

Where

The Forest Glade Gardens are in Mount Macedon in Victoria, about 50 minutes (64km) north of Melbourne.

When to Visit

This is a beauutiful garden at any times of the year, in winter you may be lucky to get a rare snow day, in spring the laburnum and wisteria tunnels will be in display, alongside daffodil fields and bluebells. In autumn the changing of the leaves in the gardens (as well as the surrounding areas) are magnificent. Summer brings a riot of colour and a cool oasis from the hot summer heat. Try a weekday as some weekends do get very busy.

Why Visit?

If you are a lover of gardens or just love a great day out, a visit to the Mount Macedon region and the many gardens in the area is a perfect day trip from Melbourne.

Cost Entry is $10 dollars, children under 16 are free.

forestgladegardens.com.au @forestgladegardens 816 Mount Macedon Road, Mount Macedon Victoria

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ELLA?

Food Editor Ella, travels the world in search of the delicious food experiences.

Up and down like a yoyo this year, my travel plans have been thrown into disarray more times than I care to admit. But fianlly, dear readers we are almost at the end of 2021 and I see a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The promise of border openings and the chance to visit some of my favourite places have been dangled before me and my 2022 calendar is set to explode with people to visit, places to go and of course food to eat!

First up I plan to head to Singapore, the small island nation that packs a seriously glamorous foodie punch for its size. I’ll stay at the Fullerton Hotel with its views across the harbour and watch the boats cruise the gentle waters while sipping on a cocktail by the pool. Iconic Raffles will be on my itinerary with its historic Singapore Sling at the Long Bar and bags of peanuts which I will shell on the floor as tradition dictates, while take in the glamour of the surroundings. After an inspiring walk through the Gardens by the Bay, I will head to haker market Makansutra Gluttons Bay and eat the famous Carrot Cake (not what you think!), this delectable mix of white radish and eggs is a must on my foodie list. I’ll follow up with Chilli Crab and the traditional Hainanese Chicken, which I plan to eat more than once on my trip. Wish me luck readers, that my Singapore fling is not just a dream but that it will soon be a reality and when we next meet I’ll be regaling you with tales of my Asian adventure, which will just be the start of my renewed travel life. Bon Appetit! Ella

eatliveescape.com

Keep up to date with the latest travel, food and lifestyle stories, news and inspiration online with us at eatliveescape.com

Travel

Come and explore the world with us! From exotic locations to beautiful destinations closer to home we review hotels and getaways and provide travel inspiration and tips.

Food & Recipes

Delicious weekly recipes, food, drink and restaurant news and reviews and handy tips and tricks in the kitchen. There is something to inspire everyone to get cooking!

Home & Interiors

Get your weekly dose of inspirational home tours, interior styling tips, interviews with industry experts, gardening resources and our interiors and home shopping guides.

Fashion, Beauty & Wellness

Fashion, beauty, health and wellness news, product reviews, what-to-wear guides, interviews with inspiring individuals, new season trends and so much more.

@eat.live.escape