Gardening in Qld, Australia - news, resources & ideas about plants & gardens, with a focus on Queensland

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A collection of news, information and resources of interest to gardeners, especially residents of Queensland, Australia. (About...)

News for Gardeners

News about plants and gardens in this state, plus some bits & pieces from around the world that might interest Queensland gardeners.

Fathers Day 2010 is 5th September
Looking for a garden-related gift with a difference? If you need inspiration, check out: Garden gift ideas for Fathers Day.

Purple carrots show promise
Researchers at the University of Southern Queensland are studying the potential health benefits of purple carrots, which have up to 28 times more anthocyanins than the ordinary orange variety. More information at the USQ wesite: Move over spinach: Purple carrots are the new 'supervegetable' (August 2010)

Boonah tree is international film star
After a two-year search for just the right tree to feature in the film The Tree, a stunning fig in the SE Qld town of Boonah was cast in the role. The Tree has since been screened at the Cannes Film Festival and elsewhere. You can find out more at the website: www.thetreefilm.com.

Cabbage palms are not Gondwana survivors
DNA studies from University of Queensland have disproved that Australia's cabbage palms (Livistona spp.) were part of the ancient Gondwanan flora. Instead, it appears that these palms entered Australia after the break-up of Gondwana, probably from South-East Asia. The researchers also found that central Australia's Palm Valley palms are very similar to palms in the north of the Northern Territory, possibly dispersing along water courses that existed at times during the last one or two million years. Source: UQ research finds palm trees may not be native to Australia (July 2010)

Mackay orchid house revamp a success
The success of the Mackay Regional Council Orchid House refurbishment has been demonstrated by a flowering of the rare Tongue Orchid (Bulbophyllum fletcherianum). Tongue-shaped leaves growing to almost 1.8 metres make this New Guinea native one of the world's largest growing orchids, while the short-lived flowers have a colour and aroma that attract blowflies and carrion beetles. The Orchid House in Queens Park, Mackay, also house 675 other orchid varieties. Source: Rare orchid thrives in newly refurbished Orchid House (July 2010)

Gladstone Japanese Gardens
The official opening of the Japanese Gardens at the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens is scheduled for 11th July, 2010. Started 14 years ago, the project includes a Japanese tea House, pond, rockery and plantings. More information from Gladstone Regional Council here: Local to entertain at Japanese Garden official opening (PDF) (July 2010)

Mexican Feather Grass traders go to court
Bunnings plus several wholesale nurseries have pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to buying and selling Mexican Feather Grass in 2008. As part of an out-of-court settlement, Bunnings have agreed to implement better systems and staff training to prevent noxious weeds being distributed in the future. Source: Bunnings Fined Over Prohibited Weed (July 2010)

Planting scents make sense
Even though 63% of people in the United Kingdom buy herbal and floral scented products, only 32% realise that they can derive these benefits from garden plants, according to research conducted for the Horticultural Trades Association. Their PlantforLife consumer campaign, which will be encouraging the planting and using of such plants, has enlisted the assistance of an "aromacologist" to explain the effects of floral and herbal scents on health and well being. Source: PlantforLife reveals the scentsational benefits of UK gardens (July 2010)

Help for Bli Bli pond
Refurbishments to improve water flow and deter nesting ibis and egrets will help address stagnation and algal blooms problems in Bli Bli pond. Sedimentation, bird waste and inadequate flushing have contributed to the poor health of the pond, which was created 50 years ago. Paperbark trees have also suffered, due to the water level being consistently too high.Council to nurse Bli Bli pond back to health. (July 2010)

Bush tucker garden for USQ
A garden to promote understanding of indigenous women and health is planned at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba. Featuring bush tucker and medicinal species, the Gumbi-Gumbi garden is named for Pittosporum augustifolium. Source: Gumbi-Gumbi Garden planned for USQ (June 2010)

Gardening grows better kids
Research commissioned by the UK's Royal Horticultural Society indicates gardening in school helps develop a range of positive attributes such as confidence, responsibility, independant thinking and healthier lifestyles, as well as important job skills such as team work, communication abilities and an entrepreneurial spirit. RHS media release here: New RHS report says school gardening boosts child development. More information can be downloaded from the RHS site here: Research on School Gardening (June 2010)

Gold Coast's Botanic Gardens security boost
Construction has begun on a boundary fence and gate system which will secure the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens at night and protect rhe valuable plant collections and infractructure the Gardens have been accumulated. When complete, access with be excluded between dusk and dawn. Source: Botanic Gardens future ‘secure’ (June 2010)

When ferns collide
Anogramma ascensionis is a tiny fern with leaves that resemble parsley found only on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. Not seen since 1958, it was declared extinct in 2003, but a few plants have since been discovered. They have since been propagated and it is hoped that it might be reintroduced more extensively in its natural habitat. The flora of Ascension Island have been devestated from centuries of exotic plant and animal introductions. It is thought that in the case of the parsley fern, competition for rock ledges from introduced maidenhair ferns probably contributed to its decline. For more information, visit Ascension Island's 'extinct' parsley fern makes a dramatic reappearance during International Year of Biodiversity (June 2010)

Tiny waterlilly rescued
The work of botanic gardens in Germany and the UK has saved Nymphaea thermarum, thought to be the world's smallest waterlily, from probable extinction. By mimicking their natural habitat - the damp edges of a freshwater hot spring - the plants have flowered and set seed in cultivation at last. Since its discovery in Rwanda in 1985, all wild speciments of the species in it's only known location have been lost due over-use of the water source. More at the Kew website: Smallest waterlily in the world brought back from the brink of extinction at Kew Gardens (May 2010)

Redlands community garden trial
Redland City Council are encouraging residents to vist the trial community garden and bushcare nursery at 30 Mooloomba Road and provide feedback on whether it should become permanent and what improvemenst should be made. The facility will be open until 31st October (7am until 5pm daily) and submissions will be accepted until 15th November 2010. More information from the Council here: Have your say about NSI Community Garden trial (PDF) (May 2010)

Laws on neighbours' trees to receive update
A draft copy of new laws designed to make disputes over trees and fences easier to resolve has been released for community consultation. It's hoped that the new laws will be better suited to the 21st century, with people today living in such close proximity. The draft bill includes clarification of the responsibilitites of the tree's owner. Read more at the Qld Govt website here: Neighbourhood disputes over trees and fences to be easier to resolve (May 2010)

UK maintains interest in gardening, GYO strong
Although bad weather meant a slow start to 2010, The Horticultural Trades Association in the United Kingdom are hopeful that retail sales will pick up, with consumers indicating healthy interest in spending more time in the garden. It's expected that the "Grow Your Own" (GYO) categories will continue to dominate spending. Source: HTA GIM Market Update - All things GYO drive garden market (May 2010)

Trees to help rejuvenate Nerang's "main street"
A makeover of Station Street in Nerang is to include new garden beds and 40 advanced Tuckeroo trees. It is hoped that these, along with other improvements, will make the street more inviting to residents and vistors and "breathe new life" into what was once the heart of Nerang. Source: $2.1 million upgrade for Nerang 'main street' (May 2010)

Goondiwindi students sunflower champions
Goondiwindi State High School have won the annual Sunflower Competition withan entry weighing 1.837kg. More information atThe University of Queensland website: Goondiwindi growers top the scales (May 2010)

Highvale greener, water cleaner
Moreton Bay Regional Council and Greening Australia believe that the 60 000 native trees they recently planted at Westbourne Park will reduce erosion and improve water quality in the tributary of South Pine River that runs through the park. 10 000 additional plants will go in at nearby Allan Smith Park. Read more at the counci website: 60,000 Plants Planted (May 2010)

Would you pay more for sustainable pots?
In a study at Purdue University in the USA, participants were given money asked to bid in a silent auction on plants in pots made of various materials. Results indicate that consumers there are indeed willing to pay more for plants in "sustainable" pots, although pots made from rice hulls or wheat achieved a higher price than pots made from straw. Read more at the Purdue University website: Auction shows consumers will pay more for sustainable flowerpots (April 2010)

Port Douglas palms under threat
Oil palms on Port Douglas Road that are such an important part of the town's identity may be infected with a fungal disease. One of the worst affected specimens will be completely removed and dissected to establish clearly the nature of the problem and determine a course of action to treat the rest. A replacement programme to replace lost palms is also anticipated. Source: Action to save Douglas Palms (April 2010)

Wembley Falls to receive makeover
Wembley Falls at Logan Central is to undergo refurbishment, although the waterfall, which was switched off during the drought, will not be switched back on. Instead, plants in the new landscaping will be chosen to evoke the cascading nature of the original falls. With these and other developments, Logan City Council is certain that Webley Falls will be even more popular for wedding photography than it has been in the past. More information at the Council's website here: Water stops but flowers set to flourish. (April 2010)

Arborial renovations for Carins city bats
Cairns Regional Council and Department of Environment and Resource Management have devised a plan to prune trees around the library without disturbing the 2 species of flying fox that roost there. Pruning of dead branches, which pose a human safety hazard to will occur between 7 and 10pm, when most of the animals are away foraging. Source: Bat roost maintenance (March 2010)

New park to contribute to Brisbane "Greenspace"
A new 40 hectare public park is to be developed north of Brisbane's north. Fitzgibbon Bushland Park will include facilities for picnics, BBQs, sports and fitness. The Qld governemnt is also calling for input from the public on their proposed Greenspace Strategy. Read more here: Major new park and draft Greenspace Strategy announced (March 2010).

Cairns Regional Council Streetscape Awards
The parts of private gardens that are visible to the public will be the focus on the Cairn's new garden competition, which will replace the traditional garden awards. Council wants to emphasise the importance of "streetscapes" in greening and beautifying the city. Water useage and environmental factors will also be taken into consideration. A special category will be the novelty letterbox competition. residents can submit photos, and the winner will be chosen by the public using online voting. More information from Cairns Regional Council here: Streetscapes awards key to greening region (March 2010).

Gold Coast carpark to become real park
7000 square metres in Cypress Avenue, Surfers Paradise, could be added to open space preserved by the council, after being utilised during construction of the rapid transit system. It is currently used as a carpark. Source: New green space for Surfers Paradise (March 2010).

Shady developments in Townsville
A number of trees removed from Flinders St Mall will be replanted in Reid Park, providing shade on the spectator mounds. The redeveloped Flinders St will retain some of the existing trees in addition to new trees. Source: Mall trees to provide shade at Reid Park (March 2010).

2010 garden predictions
International plants marketing company Tesselaar have put together a list of predictions for 2010 by various garden experts and trend-watchers. Not suprisingly, sustainability and related themes (vegetables, water conservation, natives etc) feature strongly. Other trends include the recognition of plants' effect on human health, both mentally and physically, with a return to greater use of plants indoors. Also, people are increasing looking for relevant, up-to-date information online, using a variety of applications and devices. Read more at the Tesselaar website: Top 10 Garden Trends For 2010

Technology may faciliate return of trees to urban spaces
The need for cool shady trees often conflicts with the need for car parking in ever-crowded cities. Cairns Regional Council is experimenting with an underground framework that will bear the load of traffic while providing uncompacted space for roots to grow. This will reduce the amount of space needed around each tree above ground, allowing large trees to grow without having to sacrifice a large amount of parking space. The system will be intially trialled on four trees on Hartley Street. More information: Plan to nurture shady street trees (February 2010)

Funding for environmental restoration & conservation on Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Council is encouraging rural landholders to apply for grants to assist with environmental protection such as revegetation, fencing and weed control. Read more at their website: Landholder funding to help protect region's biodiversity (February 2010).

Recession influences garden trends in UK Research commissioned by the Horticultural Trades Association in the United Kingdom indicates the recession has taught consumers to value their time and money more, and brought about a distaste for "waste or excess of any kind". The HTA anticipate that this will manifest not only as a continuation of interest in "grow your own", but an interest in recycled products, wildlife, biodiversity and gardens generally. Source: Green it Yourself trend drives garden market (February 2010)

Don Burke honoured
Popular gardening identity Don Burke has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2010 Australia Day Honours for "service to conservation and the environment through advisory roles, to the horticultural industry, and to the media as a television presenter". www.itsanhonour.gov.au

Cricket identified as orchid pollinator
Researchers trying to discover the pollinator of Angraecum cadetii on the island of Reunion trained a night camera on the orchid and caught a wingless cricket in the act. They say there is a close match between the cricket's head and the flower's nectar-spur opening, and that the cricket's utilisation of nectar might be an adaptation to the scarcity of other insects on the island. Source: First known instance of a cricket as an orchid pollinator captured on film by Kew scientist (January 2010)

New water source for ANBG
Water is to be piped from Lake Burley Griffin to sustain the Australian National Botanic Gardens while preserving drinking water for the Canberra community. Source: $2.9 million water project for the Australian National Botanic Gardens (December 2009)

New discoveries still being made after 250 years
New plants discovered or described by botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in its 250th year include Madagascan relatives of the coffee plant, a South African yam with a reputation as a cancer cure, and two eucalypts from Australia that have potential as ornamentals. Read more at the Kew website: Kew botanists discover over 250 new plant species in Kew's 250th year (December 2009)

The growing business grows in Qld
A survey commissioned by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation indicates that inspite of drought and water restrictions, the lifestyle horticulture industry has grown "significantly" in the last ten years. The outlook for 2010 is optimistic. Source: A blooming great gift idea (December 2009)

Springfield Central Parklands - first stage open
Stage one of "the most significant parkland in south east Queensland for a generation" has been officially opened. Completed portion includes cycling and pedestrian paths, landscaped gardens. It forms part of Robelle Domain, a recreational hub that will contain an piazza, education centre, cultural displays, restaurants, picnic areas and playgrounds, complemented by lakes and water features. More from Ipswich City Council here: Springfield Central Parklands takes shape (December 2009)

Native orchid rediscovered
Two plants of Dwarf Spider-Orchid (Caladenia pumila), have been found in Victoria. This species was last seen in 1926, and was thought to be extinct. In the two months since the discovery, no additional plants have been found. The location of the two known plants is being kept a secret for their protection, but attempts are being made to propagate from them. More information from Victoria's The Department of Sustainability and Environment: 'Lost' orchid re-discovered after 83 years (December 2009)

When is a plant "carnivorous"?
UK scientists are exploring notions of what consitutues a carnivorous plant in a review paper Murderous plants: Victorian Gothic, Darwin and modern insights into vegetable carnivory. Common plants that can trap insects in sticky hairs, for example, may benefit from the nutrients released when the insects eventually break down. These might be considered partly carnivorous. Read more at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew website: Scientists think 'Killer Petunias' should join the rank of carnivorous plants (December 2009)

Tall coconut palms present problems
A number of tall cocunut palms are to be removed from Bangara in the interests of public safety. Besides the danger of falling nuts, trees over 20m require a crane for maintenance, which is particularly dangerous when working with with flexible, swaying palm trunks. As the palms grow old, they're also prone to rotting and breakage. Source: Dangerous coconut palms to be removed (November 2009)

Tree of Kowledge goes to university
One 25 plants propagated from Barcaldine's "Tree of Knowledge" after it's 2006 poisoning has been donated to the University of Queensland and has found a home at the St Lucia campus. Source: Knowledge planted at UQ (November 2009)

Japanese Tea House officially opened
The mayors of Ipswich and sister city Nerima, Japan, participated in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony to mark the official opening of this new addition to Ipswich's Nerima Gardens. More at the Ipwich City Council website: Tea House opens in Nerima Gardens (November 2009).

Some older news items of continuing interest have been moved to an appropriate subject page at www.calyx.com.au. Check the Guide to Pages.

The editor would like to hear from anyone who has news to share on the topic of plants or gardens. Contact Details

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