There is a handful of native plants that flower in mid-December and as a result proudly add the title Christmas to their common names.
Among them are the New South Wales Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum), Western Australian Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda) and New South Wales Christmas bell (Blandfordia nobilis).
Another is the Victorian Christmas bush (Prostanthera lasianthos). Less spectacular than the other Christmassy natives, it’s a species of native mint that adds a flush of white flowers tinged with mauve to bushland in November and into December. As well as looking good in bushland and gardens, the stems can also be picked for fresh festive decoration.
Despite being known as a Victorian, this large mint bush is found along the east coast from southern Queensland to Tasmania and inland in moist locations.
The title bush is a little misleading as in some areas it reaches tree-like stature, up to 10m high with a tangle of branches. Garden plants may reach 5m but can be kept shrubby with gentle pruning after flowering.
The reason for the “mint” in the name becomes very obvious if you brush by this plant or any of the mint bushes. The small evergreen leaves are scented with a menthol or mint smell that varies from gentle to sinus cleansing.
OTHER SPECIES
The Victorian Christmas bush is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mint bushes. There are around 90 species of Prostanthera and many make attractive soft-stemmed garden shrubs.
Denne historien er fra Good Organic Gardening #11.4-utgaven av Good Organic Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra Good Organic Gardening #11.4-utgaven av Good Organic Gardening.
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Glamour girls
EVERYONE LOVES A HARDWORKING ISA BROWN BUT GET A LOAD OF THESE CHIC CHICKENS AND FEATHERED FASHIONISTAS
FRIED VEG
IT’S POSSIBLE TO ENJOY A FRY-UP IN A DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY WAY BY TURNING TO SOME FRY-FRIENDLY PLANTS
BEYOND BIG RED
TOMATOES COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLOURS, SO NOW’S THE TIME TO EXPLORE THEIR INFINITE VARIETY
EVEN MORE TROPPO
ANOTHER SENSATIONAL SIX TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR GARDEN — OR YOUR FRUIT SALAD
LET'S STALK RHUBARB
JUST AS TOMATO IS A FRUIT USED AS A VEGETABLE, RHUBARB IS A VEGETABLE COMMONLY CONSUMED AS A DESSERT
FOOD OF THE GODS
THE FLESHY FRUIT OF THE FICUS WAS MUHAMMAD’S FAVOURITE AND BUDDHA FOUND ENLIGHTENMENT UNDER A FIG TREE
MAKING GOOD BETTER
THE IRREPRESSIBLE TV PRESENTER WRITES ABOUT HOW SHE, WITH HUSBAND ANTON AND DAUGHTER FRIDA, TURNED A STEEP HOBART BLOCK INTO A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN
True lily
MANY PLANTS ARE CALLED LILIES BUT IT’S THE MEMBERS OF THE GENUS LILIUM THAT ARE THE REAL DEAL
SALTY BUDS
THE CAPER BUSH PRODUCES TWO DISTINCT BUT EQUALLY DELICIOUS, TANGY MORSELS: CAPERS AND CAPERBERRIES
Ducks on duty
BUSY, VIGILANT, HARD ON GARDEN PESTS AND GENEROUS LAYERS — YOU’VE GOTTA LOVE A DUCK!
