Plant of the month: Diplolaena grandiflora
If you're looking for a native shrub that provides visual drama all year round, the Wild Rose is worth a look. It has an upright habit with soft grey-green leaves and showy flowers between late autumn and spring. The flowers dangle like little pom-poms and consist of a central cluster of red stamens surrounded by soft, papery, pinkish-red bracts.
Plant of the month: Corymbia ficifolia
Corymbia ficifolia hails from a tiny corner of the south-west of Western Australia but has earned its place in gardens across the country. Unlike most other gums, it has a dense, rounded canopy and shorter stature (grafted cultivars) making it ideal as a street tree or feature for small gardens.
MIFGS edit: African-Australian
As a South African-born Australian, I was thrilled to see quite a few gardens at this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show celebrating the connections between our diverse plants and cultures.
