DFB's Greenthumb Project

**Captain Stubing** · 23-05-2020, 12:00 AM

We have a groundcover that I think is causing problems with our dog's skin... I think it's Tradescantia Spathacea. In the shade it stays green, when it gets more sunlight it goes purple.

I need recommendations for a better ground cover.

We also have the Purple Heart variety.

**Burnout** · 23-05-2020, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

We have a groundcover that I think is causing problems with our dog's skin... I think it's Tradescantia Spathacea. In the shade it stays green, when it gets more sunlight it goes purple.

image

I need recommendations for a better ground cover.

We also have the Purple Heart variety.

Lantana does well & spreads everywhere.....

**DFB FGXR6** · 23-05-2020, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

We have a groundcover that I think is causing problems with our dog's skin... I think it's Tradescantia Spathacea. In the shade it stays green, when it gets more sunlight it goes purple.

image

I need recommendations for a better ground cover.

We also have the Purple Heart variety.

Scaevola / Fan flower- an Australia groundcover available in many varieties. Most have a blue or mauve flower but there are white and pink versions too. What I like about Scaevola is that it has a nice, soft look to it and not very "native" looking and could be a nice replacement for the Tradescantia.

Myoporum / Creeping boobialla - another Aussie plant with a few varieties to choose from. The fine leaf and broad leaf versions are the ones to go for.

Trachelospermum jasminoides / Star Jasmine - This may sound like a strange suggestion as Star Jasmine is usually a climbing plant however it makes an excellent groundcover too, providing thick growth and a nice early summer flower. For those who find Jasmine fragrance overpowering, Star Jasmine is far less pungent and seems to not stir up allergies.

**DFB FGXR6** · 23-05-2020, 07:04 PM

Ginkgo biloba or the Maidenhair tree.

This is another Autumn favorite of mine, I love the bright yellow foliage at this time of the year. These are slow growing and long lived deciduous tress to about 9 mt in height. Ginkgo trees need rich soil and plenty of water during summer to thrive.

**DFB FGXR6** · 24-05-2020, 06:33 PM

This little plant caught my eye today, the flowers standing out like a beacon.

Dianthus Waterloo Sunset is a beautiful variety of Carnation. These are low maintenance plants that feature grey foliage that provides a colour contrast in the garden. Their compact nature mean they are also a great potted plant too. The main reason for growing them though is the heavily scented flowers produced in Autumn, late Winter and Spring.

**DFB FGXR6** · 25-05-2020, 06:06 PM

With one of my clients having an active bee hive, controlling insects requires a different approach.

For example, if a rose bush is infested with aphids I would normally reach for something like Confidor or Trifend, however both of these are not particularly friendly to bees.

So with that in mind, I have been mixing 2.5 tbs of dish washing detergent (in this case fruity Morning Fresh Watermelon and Pomegranate) with 2.5 tbs of vegetable oil in 4 lt of water.

Then spray infested plants as normal. Thorough drenching is required here due to this not being a systemic solution.

**DFB FGXR6** · 25-05-2020, 06:08 PM

With the Rover working hard over Autumn as a leaf vacuum, an oil and plug change were the order of the day.

Check out the "bald" front wheels!

GCRXR6 · 25-05-2020, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

We have a groundcover that I think is causing problems with our dog's skin... I think it's Tradescantia Spathacea. In the shade it stays green, when it gets more sunlight it goes purple.

image

I need recommendations for a better ground cover.

We also have the Purple Heart variety.

Yeah good old Moses in a Basket...it can be a basket of a plant for dogs.
Try Mondo grass, both green and variegated, or try Liriope muscari. Both mondos and liriopes form clumps and can be propagated by dividing the clumps.

**DFB FGXR6** · 30-05-2020, 06:47 PM

Today's attention grabber.

Chrysocephalum apiculatum 'Desert Flame' is a low growing native ground cover that does well in a sunny position and requires minimal water once established. With a height and spread of 20cm high and 40cm wide, this plant injects colour via it's cheery yellow flowers and the grey foliage provides a nice colour contrast.

**DFB FGXR6** · 31-05-2020, 07:12 PM

Even with winter on our door step, the roses continue to flower. This one is called Brass Band.

roKWiz · 01-06-2020, 08:32 AM

Lovely pics. You tend to some amazing plants.

Down here I'm lucky to have lots of Australian natives which are just starting to flower.
My pride plant is a Toothbrush Grevillea, the resident Wattlebirds, Treecreepers, White Plumed Honeyeaters, Firetails and Superb Wrens absolutely adore the nectar.
After the flowers slowly die off, the Cootamundra Wattles start flowering signifying deep winter.
Different wattle species colours are amazing during winter.

**Rallye Sport** · 01-06-2020, 10:58 AM

Great thread DFB, my stories much the same, started in Nurseries, spent a bit of time in Vineyards, moved to parks and spent some time in Queens gardens, Hyde park, Sir James Mitchell, moved to civil construction for a few years(hated it) and ended up on the golf course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Lovely pics. You tend to some amazing plants.

Down here I'm lucky to have lots of Australian natives which are just starting to flower.
My pride plant is a Toothbrush Grevillea, the resident Wattlebirds, Treecreepers, White Plumed Honeyeaters, Firetails and Superb Wrens absolutely adore the nectar.
After the flowers slowly die off, the Cootamundra Wattles start flowering signifying deep winter.
Different wattle species colours are amazing during winter.

Right on mate, the birds and wildlife are where its at for me now after studying land management and realizing they are much more appreciative than humans. We have a family of Blue Wrens in the backyard at the moment, we must be doing something right for them to be there.

This is my favourite in the garden, excuse the pics its a grey, wet and windy morning out there. Its Grevillea Pink Surprise, large bush or can be pruned into a small tree. It flowers non stop all year and is a centre of activity for birds, bees and insects.

roKWiz · 01-06-2020, 12:30 PM

Yes, being an avid mountain biker has always drawn me to watch native plants, animals and birds.

Recently planted a couple of Grevillea Robusta trees and they are now taking off. From memory I think they can grow to 10m high but have the most vivid colour flowers.
Sorta of like a tree version of the toothbrush grevillea.

It amazing how you can determine the change in seasons by the bird life.
Approx. a month ago we started seeing Currawongs come down off the high country which follow the Bogong moths as both can not live in the snow covered mountains. They set up camp at lower altitudes for winter where the birds are having some fat suppers.
Gang Gang parrots are another who fly down to the lower Beechworth area feasting on the chestnut and oak pods.
So good to see these visitors.