Winter Wonderland

We are well into winter here in Australia and the days are frosty and cold - and very wet - even though we have suffered a great drought this year and are still low on water.

Thankfully, the weather bureau has forecast the end of El Nino here, and predicting a good rainfall over the next few months.

This year a lot more of my plants are outside in the winter cold. Mainly because I don't have room anymore to try to protect the multiple number of plants I have taken to growing but also because I have been working full time and don't have the time at present to build any more structures or find another venue.

I have found that all of the Lachenalias don't mind the frosts and the leaves have great color and markings, much stronger, I think, than those I have kept out of the cold in other years. Of course, all of the Ixia I grow thrive outdoors in the winter and it is only the summer heat and wet that I need to protect them from.

This year after a visit to Canberra, I decided to plant some of my other species into the garden beds and these have also gone ahead in leaps and bounds. The only thing I am watching (that is, when I have time) is the amount of water that they are receiving.

Of course, the frosts will still be a problem here. I find that our mild frosts, if they don't come three in a row, don't have any great affect on the plants I have out in the open. However, the very severe frosts will kill - leaves of many pants - but thankfully the bulbs survive under the ground and revive the following season.

One species that is seen in many old gardens here, is thriving well in my garden with beautiful leaves and flower spikes just starting to emerge. Veltheimia bracteata that is. I 'm also looking to see some flowers on V. capensis this year.

One of the lovely small South African species that does well here early in the autumn season is Polyxena, which exudes a very sweet smelling, overpowering perfume. I have marked it on my list as one of the species I must get more of for the coming years.

Just recently I have retired from full time work and will now take up a part time teaching position with our local Adult Education College. This will give me more time for my plants and I am sincerely looking to expand my collection.

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