Hortimacultralist

A what?

Yes that's the typical response I get from non-green thumbs when they ask me what I do for work. It's actually surprising the amount of people who don't know what a horticulturalist is. Ok we aren't a glamorous profession like Builders, Plumbers or Electricians (and not as well paid) but we are friendly folk, that is until you start asking us stupid questions like "I'm after a plant, it's got green leaves...."

So what is a horticulture? Dictionary.com defines it as:

1. the cultivation of a garden, orchard, or nursery; the cultivation of flowers, fruits, vegetables or ornamental plants
2. the science and art of cultivating plants

Horticulture has a very long history, dating back thousands of years and correlates with the time our nomadic hunter gatherer ancestors transitioned into a more sedentary lifestyle requiring the cultivation of plants for food and medicinal purposes.

It's one of those passions passed down through the generations from parents or grandparents to children. For those who of you have followed my blogs, you will know that the spark that ignited my horticulture passion came from my Nan and I think most people get their green thumb from their grandparents.

It's unfortunate that that link or transition is disappearing from our culture. Busy lives and less opportunities due to the pressure of urban sprawl have made it harder for plant knowledge and passion to be passed on within a family unit. Of course there is still a lot of opportunities for people interested in the field to get involved but I really believe that spark we need (and this goes for any passion) is really important in the formative years, when we are discovering more about the world we live in.

More than a decade ago saw the boom of DIY gardening shows (of course Burke's Backyard and Gardening Australia had roots well before this). It was a great time as the message of getting into the garden resonated with many and the visitors to garden centers increased. Home gardeners had access to a lot of information via media and in turned headed back out into the garden. Most of those shows have now disappeared and the humble Horticulturalist can be relied on a bit more for plant knowledge - so don't be afraid to ask questions when buying plants, we are happy to pass on what we've learnt.

A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald titled "Horticulture not seen as a viable career, even though it's crucial for our cities" had me feeling a bit disappointed. It's sad to think that many people turn away from the field because it's not high profile enough.

Sure it can be a tough industry and a lot of hard work, especially when you are subject to the seasons and weather conditions throughout the year. Couple that with the high turnover of staff you see in the industry you can't help but agree with these kind of headlines. If you want to get anywhere and want to get anything out of life you've got to start somewhere and put in the effort -  find your passion, find the niche in the market and developed that, the possibilities could be endless.

The positive message that the article emphasizes is the importance horticulture still has in the modern world, especially in our cities where the development and management of open spaces for educational and recreational pursuits is critical for the community to keep that sense of connection to the natural world.

The way we use plants in the landscape is evolving very quickly to keep up with the needs of the urban environment. The use of plants to ascetically soften buildings or green walls and rooftop gardens to reduce building temperatures, the use of rain gardens to harness, clean and reduce run-off from storm water and the increase of community and street verge gardens are also becoming more popular in cities and have all been driven by horticulturalist's passionate about increasing the plant/life balance.

There definitely is a science behind why and how plants grow the way the do and in a lot of cases why they don't always behave the way you want them to. I have many friends that ask me for advise and it's quite satisfying for me to help them out. There is never a shortage of photo's being sent to my phone asking "what's this?" or "whats wrong with this?" I hope that my answers are always helpful and I can pass something on that will inspire my friends to keep trying to green their thumbs.

There is something special about nurturing nature, seeing plants and gardens grow and develop. The natural world can be so beautiful and interesting if you give it a closer look. Horticulture can be very rewarding and there are many more opportunities today than ever with new horticultural pathways opening as our cities grow.

50 (or so) Shades of Grey

Before you start thinking this is some badly written story about things best left behind bedroom doors, think again!

In reality it is a not too badly written piece about my fondness for grey leaf plants and some of my favorites you should try growing in your garden.

I have always had an attraction to silver leafed plants, it's that striking grey that stands out among all other green life in the landscape. It's that year round colour that gives them the edge. They really have a knack for drawing the attention of passers by.

One of the main strengths of the grey or silver leafed plants is their toughness. Having evolved in some of the toughest environments around the world, most examples are low maintenance, water wise and in some cases, salt tolerant.

Widely used by both the home gardener and landscape designer not only for their durability but as an amazing colour contrast in the landscape, complementing other forms, textures and flowers. Like a good piece of jewellery bringing an outfit together, grey leafed plants can tie a garden together very nicely.

Many grey leafed plants get the colour from fine hairs on their leaves. These hairs aren't just an awkward fashion accessory, being hirsute (or tomentose as us Horticulturalists would say) allows the plant to capture moisture from the air, reflects the sun's heat and reduces wind speed over the leaf surface which alleviates moisture loss from the leaf.

So without further ado, here is a list of some of my favorite silver coloured plants:

Eremophila nivea - a real beauty and an Australian to boot! It's hairy stems and leaves give it a soft silvery appearance. It has very showy mauve flowers from late Winter to early Summer. In the wild (native to Western Australia) it is at a very high risk of extinction (an even better reason to give it a try). It is suitable to more drier, less humid inland areas. If you are wanting to try this amazing plant in your garden, do yourself a favour and find a grafted form which is a much better performer.

Helichrysum petiolare - hard to top the Eremophila but the Licorice Plant comes pretty close. Not baring a striking floral display, this plant relies on it's mass grey appeal to catch the eye. The mounding habit makes it an ideal choice as sprawling ground cover, for under planting or allowed to spill over retaining walls. Responds well to pruning and does best in open areas where it can spread.

Convolvulous cneorum - the aptly names Silver Bush really lives up to it's name. A sprawling/mounding shrub that produces abundant white flowers through Spring & Summer. Prune moderately after flowering to maintain bushiness. Works well in under planting or as a border in a variety of soil types.

Rhagodia spinescens - The Creeping Salt Bush is a hardy and quick growing Australian Native. As the name suggests it is salt tolerant and has a wide natural distribution across mainland Australia. Rhagodia responds well to pruning and can be maintained in more formal hedging but also works well as a sprawling filler in garden beds.

Kalanchoe tomentosa - The Panda Plant or Pussy's Ears (cute names for a cute plant) gets it's common names from the soft, flurry leaves it produces. This succulent is very easy to care for. A great addition to any succulent or water wise garden, giving great colour and texture. It can get a bit leggy with age so don't be afraid to prune back before this happens but keep the cuttings, as it is very easy to propagate and free plants are always good.

Leucophyta brownii - Yet another native (ok I am a little biased), the Cushion Bush has a tangled branching arrangement, forming a rounded shrub to 1 metre. Their form is one of the most interesting features. The modified stems and leaves allow it to survive in it's natural coastal habitat along exposed areas on cliffs and dunes. It prefers a similar position in the garden where drainage is good and humidity low. There is a dwarf form also available called 'Silver Nugget' which gets to 50cm tall.

Actinotus helianthi - The Flannel Flower gets it's name from the soft, woolly feel of the leaves. This is one grey leafed plant that does produce a striking floral display. A mass of star shaped white/cream flowers appear in Spring. This iconic Sydney species is best seen in it's natural habitat on sandstone and is especially prevalent after bush fires. To see some good examples of Actinotus in the landscape, it's well worth visiting Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens and Mount Annan Botanic Gardens. If you are considering growing this beauty, good drainage is the key. For a native the Actinotus can be a heavy feeder, so don't be afraid to sprinkle some native plant food around. Tip prune after flowering to encourage bushiness.

Stachys byzantina - Commonly know as Lamb's Ear's and once you see and feel the leaves of this plant you'll know how it got it's common name. On mass, Stachys looks amazing and is used well as a border or under planting in cottage and perennial gardens. This easy to grow plant is great for children's gardens due to it's sensory appeal. Flowers are borne on spikes rising from the main plant and can be purple or white. Trim flowers as they finish. Plants can die down somewhat in winter depending on temperatures but will respond well when favorable weather returns.

Senecio serpens - Blue Chalk Sticks (another self explanatory common name) are another tough succulent, ok they aren't totally silver/grey but blue/grey still counts. Looks great on mass and when allowed time to fill in spaces in any water wise garden. This Asteracea family member (The Daisy Family) produces white flowers in Summer but are generally insignificant and can be removed when finished. Light, regular pruning will keep the plant looking full and reduced plants from getting leggy, bare stems. Sometimes confused with Senecio mandralasicae, S. serpens tends to be a more upright and compact form, compared to the trailing and more vigorous S. mandralasicae - either plant is worth having in your garden and can be propagated easy from cuttings.


So there you go, some food (or plants) for thought - of course there are many more grey plant options, but as I said at the start, these are my favorites. What silver leafed plants turn your head?

I urge you adventure into the "grey", it will add pizzazz and draw attention to your garden.