I am looking out the window of my office and literally watching a plant grow, I know, I know, small minds amused by small things and all that but this particular plant gives me so much joy at this time of the year, I get very, very excited.
So, what is this thing that just keeps on growing and makes me smile??
It is…drum roll please…Dahlia imperialis or Tree Dahlia and BOY! do I love this plant.
Can you blame me for loving these blooms?
I propagated it many years ago from some hardwood cuttings given to me by one of our listeners when I was on ABC radio, some moons ago, now. I am forever grateful to that lady and always think of her every time my “Darling Dahlia” (that’s what I call her) flowers.
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Well, it might not feel like it as we shiver through more rain and cold weather here in Perth but nature is telling us that Spring is just around the corner.
We have had record rains this August and everything is about to burst into bloom.
Have you noticed the Acacia -yellow wattles and Chamelaucium uncinatum-Pink Geraldton Wax, in bloom on the side of the freeways and roadways?
Nothing says Spring quite like our Aussie wattles
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Geraldton Wax-check it out!
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More Geraldton Wax..ooh I can smell that honey-scented fragrance now
That’s natures’ way of saying, hang onto your sun hats, Perth peeps, our very short Spring and long HOT Summer is on its way.
Qualup Bells and Everlasting daisies are in flower right now!
Here are 6 Things to do this weekend to have your garden looking spring ready
1. Improve your soil
Add some mature compost or soil conditioner around the base of your plants and let the last of this rain soak that into your sandy soil for healthy spring/summer blooms. Your plants will be more disease resistant and much better able to survive the summer heat. It’s worth it!
2. Plant some natives
Grevillias offer striking colour and lots of food for pollinators
The garden centers are full of our West Australian native species in flower, even if you don’t have a native garden, why not introduce a few to help out the pollinators, you know, the birds and the bees, they need your help.
Banksias are hard to beat!
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Look at these beautiful blooms-only in WA!
3. Weed, weed weed
No-one likes the prospect of this but it simply must be done! The rain has provided lots of nutrients and water to the soil which means that the weeds have all shot up-do yourself a favour and remove them before they take over completely! I use my favourite weeding tool the fabulous Cobrahead weeder
4. Plant some Annuals
Check out the seedlings at the garden centre, nothing says Spring quite like some pots of annual colour either side of your front door.
How about growing some pretty petunias for spring colour? These ones were in Michigan last year when I was there…..they get fed with liquid fertiliser for Flower and Fruit every week!
5. It’s Mulching Time
Time to get some mulch onto your garden beds so that your plants will be able to thrive in our hot summer sun. I like to use either straw mulch or Marri woodchips depending on the type of garden I am working on
6. Indoor Plant tidy up
Have a close look at your indoor plants, put them out in the rain or give them a hose down outside, wipe off the winter dust and give them a light dose of liquid fertilizer before bringing them back inside for your indoor jungle to be at its best for Summer entertaining
Pop your indoor plants outside for some rain and a bit of a wash down before bringing them back in for the summer
Need Help to get started??? email Andrea on nolilwhit@bigpond.com to make a booking
Nothing says Spring quite like our Aussie wattles
Geraldton Wax-check it out!
More Geraldton Wax..ooh I can smell that honey-scented fragrance now
Qualup Bells and Everlasting daisies are in flower right now!
Grevillias offer striking colour and lots of food for pollinators
Banksias are hard to beat!
Look at these beautiful blooms-only in WA!
How about growing some pretty petunias for spring colour? These ones were in Michigan last year when I was there…..they get fed with 
Pop your indoor plants outside for some rain and a bit of a wash down before bringing them back in for the summer
