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ISSN: 1325-1465 ABC Gardening Australia magazine is published by nextmedia Pty Ltd (ACN 128 805 970) under licence from the publisher, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and is subject to copyright in its entirety. ‘ABC’ and the ‘Wave’ and ‘Gardening Australia’ trademarks are used under licence from the ABC. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or part, without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication unless specifi ed otherwise. All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled not for publication. nextmedia and the publisher do not accept responsibility for damage to, or loss of, submitted material. Opinions expressed in ABC Gardening Australia magazine are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of nextmedia or the publisher. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. No liability is accepted by nextmedia, the publisher, nor the authors for any information contained herein. All endeavours are made to ensure accuracy and veracity of all content and advice herein, but neither ABC Gardening Australia magazine nor its publisher or contributors is responsible for damage or harm, of whatever description, resulting from persons undertaking any advice or using any product mentioned or advertised in ABC Gardening Australia magazine or its website.

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THE SHELF N O PLANTS

A selection of ornamentals and edible crops to plant now

Planting ice plants in midsummer isn’t as crazy as it seems – these dense succulents are actually heat-loving perennials. The common name refers to tiny hairs on the leaves and stems that sparkle like ice crystals in the sun. The plants in the Delosperma cooperi Delmara series are covered with vibrant fl owers in summer and autumn. Pictured (clockwise from top left) are ‘Delmara Red’, ‘Orange’, ‘Pink’, ‘Fuchsia’ and ‘Yellow’. They are a pretty groundcover, but really come into their own cascading over retaining walls or containers (below). Growing to 5–10cm tall and 40–50cm wide, they need full sun and well-drained soil. Available in the Nature’s Decór and Simply Beautiful collections.

January is too late to plant many favourite vegies, and too early for others, but it’s the perfect time to sow corn direct in all climates. Impress your foodie friends by growing and grinding ‘Oaxacan Green’ to make delicious tamales or cornbread, or add the two-toned raw kernels of ‘Honey and Cream’ to autumn salads for a sweet, juicy crunch. Upgrade your movie-night snacks with ‘Ontos Oval White Popcorn’. This organic variety was brought to Australia from America in 1974 and bred to have less of the rough, fi brous matter, and more of the fl uffy, white edible portion. Yielding a rich fl avour, ‘True Gold’ is a popular heirloom variety that’s perfect for barbecuing or adding to soups. All these varieties grow to 150–170cm tall and require a full-sun position.

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Once autumn arrives, many ornamentals have delivered their colourful summer promises and are considering retirement, but autumn-flowering bulbs are starting to party. You can grow these varieties in full sun, and leave them in the ground. Belladonnas are the first choice for gardeners who are new to these plants. They suit all climates, except tropical, and are tough and reliable in the ground or in pots. The flower stalks of the fragrant Amaryllis belladonna ‘Cyclamen Pink’ (left) reach about 75cm, appearing before the strappy foliage that lasts until spring. The large, fragrant flowers of Colchicum speciosum var. bornmuelleri (right) look almost too big for their 15cm stems, but will impress in a roc front of a bed. Wide, strappy leaves appear onths after the flowers have died. No itable for a tropical climate. The elec ue spider lily (Lycoris sprengeri, righ n be shy to flower, but persevere, an rewarded with eye-catching, fragra umpet flowers on 30–40cm stems. roup for impact in garden beds or bi ntainers. Growing to 40–50cm tall, erine ‘Coral Queen’ (left) is a pretty ddition to a cottage-style garden, but t suitable for the tropics or subtropi o ensure a good flower display, don ater during November or Decembe

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT ‘Oaxacan Green’; ‘Honey and Cream’; ‘Ontos Oval White Popcorn’; ‘True Gold’.

BOOKSO N THESHELF

BIRD: EXPLORING THE WINGED WORLD

Phaidon Editors Phaidon

This visually captivating book celebrates the beauty and popular appeal of birds throughout the areas of art, history, ornithology and culture. It contains more than 300 images, from richly painted medieval manuscripts through to high-speed photography, which all showcase how artists, illustrators, scientists and photographers – from the ancient world to the present – have captured the diversity, vibrancy and charm of birds. Each entry includes a large-format image and short explanatory text. A reference section with information on bird identifi cation, spotting and classifi cation is included, together with a glossary, illustrated timeline and select biographies. Bird lovers can enjoy the varied and beautiful imagery, while learning about the birds’ nesting, feeding and migration patterns, and humanity’s impact on their habitats and conservation.

SCIENCE IN A GARDEN

Ross Mars Hawker Brownlow Education This is the second book for primary school kids from permaculture expert and educator Ross Mars. His fi rst book, Life in a Garden, introduced students to the basics of garden maintenance and design. In this one, he encourages them to observe, understand and contribute to a thriving garden ecosystem. Science in a Garden takes students on a journey from theory to fi nal product, covering garden science, growth, changes, animals, human use, and products from the garden. Each activity is aligned with the Science and Technologies learning areas of the Australian Curriculum, as well as sustainability – a cross-curriculum priority. This illustrated book is for students, parents and teachers, and will help kids understand the environment, and how to use their knowledge in real-world scenarios. Available at hbe.com.au/hb1550.html

THE ARBORNAUT

Meg Lowman Allen & Unwin In a blend of memoir and fi eldwork, American biologist and conservationist Meg Lowman provides a fascinating perspective on the world of trees, from the top down. Lowman pioneered the science of canopy ecology, and invented one of the fi rst treetop walkways. Her stories as an ecologist and fi eld scientist include climbing solo hundreds of metres up into Australia’s rainforests; measuring tree growth in the north-eastern US; searching the redwoods of the Pacifi c coast for new life; studying leaf-eaters in Scotland’s Highlands; conservation planning in India; and collaborating with priests in Ethiopia’s last forests. It’s an inspirational and informative read, especially for those interested in trees, our natural world and the need to conserve the world’s forests and ecosystems.

WILDLIFE OF THE BOX-IRONBARK COUNTRY

Chris Tzaros CSIRO Publishing

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the ecology, habitats and wildlife of the Box-Ironbark forest region in Victoria, and how climate change is having a major infl uence on one of the most important areas of animal diversity in southern Australia. This revised edition profi les all of the mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs found in the region, with each species’ listing comprising a high-quality colour photograph, description, status, ecology and identifi cation, and a detailed distribution map. It also includes a list of 16 parks and reserves where people can visit to observe the wildlife of this endangered ecosystem.