Pittwater Life July 2024 Issue

Compiled by the team at Cicada Glen Nursery, Ingleside.
What’s flowering
The weather may seem a tad
dull this time of the year, but
this is the season some plants
will show off! We have lots
of bushland in the Pittwater
area and it is popping with
colour which can warm the
spirits. As well as warming
the spirits, why not get out
for a walk, warm up the body
and see what you can find!
Take pictures or drawings and
connect with our local flora
– you never know what you
might find. Some favourite
local natives to keep an
eye out for are Persoonias,
Hardenbergia (Violacea –
pictured), Philotheca, Correa,
Banksia, Grevilleas and Epacris.
Pterostylis and other terrestrial
orchids are favourites of ours
to look out for; most species
will die back for the warmer
months of the year, making
this the best and only time to
see some of the orchids.
Shady Gardens
Creating a shade-loving garden
with Australian native plants or
exotics can be both beautiful
and sustainable. Here are some
plants that thrive in shady
conditions:
Native Violet – A low-growing
groundcover with small violet
flowers (pictured top of page),
perfect for shady spots.
Dianella – Many varieties of
Dianella, such as Dianella
caerulea (Flax Lily), can grow
in shaded areas and produce
attractive bright blue flowers
and berries.
Clivea – An ever-popular and
hardy plant that loves shady
areas and still produces
The Local Voice Since 1991
colourful orange flowers even
in full shade.
Native Rhododendron – A
small to medium native shrub
that will flower in a shady
position.
Native Ginger (Alpinea) – Also
known as Native Turmeric,
it has attractive foliage and
prefers shade with moist soil.
When selecting plants,
consider your specific shade
conditions (light shade, deep
shade, morning/evening sun)
and local climate to ensure the
best choices for your garden.
Native plants are generally
well-suited to local conditions
and require less maintenance
once established.
Gymea Lilies
Gymea Lilies thrive in warm
temperate climates like we
have here on the Northern
Beaches. They are native to
coastal areas of NSW and
Queensland. When flowering,
the impressive flower spike
can reach up to 4m high and
is topped with a display of red
trumpet like flowers (pictured
top right) that stand out above
the surrounding vegetation.
Planting them in uneven
numbers like 3s or 5s will give
the best effect in the garden.
They prefer full sun to partial
shade, however as a rough
guide ensure they get at least
6-8 hours of direct sunlight
daily for optimal growth and
flowering.
Gymea Lilies are relatively
drought-tolerant once
established and have the
amazing ability to pull
themselves deeper into the
ground during droughts, which
not only helps them conserve
water but protects their growth
tip during bushfires. They will
benefit from regular watering
during dry periods, especially
in the first few months after
planting. Avoid waterlogged
conditions, as they can lead to
root rot.
JUNE 2024 65
Garden Life