ARS Tasmania Newsletter – March 2018

• Date: 5th March 2018
• author: Lesley Gillanders

IN MY GARDEN

Time has passed since my last notes. There have been many lovely flowers which have bloomed and faded as we have passed through December, January and now February. Myosotidium hortense produced its brilliant blue flowers and then set seed which will be sown later. Rhodohypoxis put on their usual display in pinks, white and rose-red. Camellia reticulata 'George Witbreuk' was impressive with masses of red flowers. Our plant has now reached 2 metres. Likewise in height is Daphne bholua which scented the garden for several weeks.

It took me quite some time to learn how to pronounce and spell Pentapterygium, then the botanists in their wisdom changed it to Agapetes. So it is not only the garden which is the challenge but also the plant names. Agapetes serpens from the eastern Himalayas, produced its pendulous red flowers with deep red markings earlier, then was followed by glaucous fleshy fruits. These must be tasty as I once saw a honeyeater, an Eastern Spinebill, eating them. Geranium 'Rozanne' has been flowering for several weeks with pretty lavender-blue flowers. The Lewesia cotyledon hybrids in several of the garden beds are still producing their colourful flowers.

To read more download the newsletter!