Even though we are experiencing some unusually warm days this week the deciduous trees are starting to turn to those amazing Autumn tones. The Quercus Palustris (Pin Oaks) that are planted in the medium strip on the highway in Lithgow near the cemetery are showing their true Autumn tones.
It is time to plant your Spring Bulbs, Sweet Pea and Forget-Me-Not seeds, as well as some of the Yates Colonial Garden Collection seeds in the flower patch. In the Vegetable Patch it is not too late to put in some varieties of winter veggies. If planting seeds the following varieties from Yates can be planted in Early Autumn such as Sugarloaf Cabbage, All Year Round – Hybrid Cauliflowers, Silverbeet Fordhook Giant, Drumtight Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Silverbeet Ruby & Rainbow Chard and Perpetual Green Silverbeet.
If you are a lover of foliage plants for year round colour and structure then you really should consider the range of Euphorbias that are available. They have remarkable, attractive foliage with vibrant, coloured flower stems appearing from late winter through to spring.
The euphorbia genus is one of the largest in the plant kingdom and includes a large diversity of shapes, sizes and colours but preferred conditions are much the same. They love a sunny location in a soil which drains well. In cottage or wildflower style gardens they add bulk and can be used as a visual anchor for the more ephemeral tides of perennial flowers, keeping a constant interest as others around it bloom and fade. Equally, they are valuable in more contemporary designs where they offer a colourful, architectural presence even through the dull winter months.
Extremely easy to grow, they require very little maintenance if their position is to their liking. Even pruning is generally not required but just a word of caution, as all euphorbias can ooze a milky sap when stems are cut which, if contacts the skin or eyes, can cause irritations. This in itself is not a concern providing you take the precaution of wearing gloves (and not rubbing your eyes) when doing any ‘tidy up’ work. If you do happen to spill some on yourself, just be sure to wash with clean water as soon as possible.
Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow, Silver Swan, Craigieburn and Rudolph do well in our area and these varieties can handle our frosty conditions.
