The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.
INTRODUCING NEW SEGMENT!
The Good Earth:There’s no reason that an ornamental garden can’t have permaculture principles in it already? But generally permaculture includes being self-supporting, maybe not entirely, but find out more how to start your garden with Tafe teacher and Director of Permaculture Sydney Institute, Penny Pyet.
Vegetable Heroes: Angelica or Angelica archangelica.
Although angelica is a hardy biennial herb-growing the first year and flowering the second-it will continue to live for several more years if you clip off the flower stems before they start flowering.
The bright green, feathery leaves look tropical and are large, becoming about 0.7-1m long, and are divided into 3 leaflets with toothed edges. Greenish white lightly scented flowers that hang in umbrella like clusters at the ends of the stalks which are 1-1.5m tall, hollow, and stiff. so it's not really a plant for all but the largest of pots. The roots are a yellowish-brown to a reddy-brown colour.
How to grow it-Angelica likes deep moist, rich soil that is slightly acid, growing best in semi-shade. As usual add home-made compost when first growing this plant.
So why grow this herb? The stems of home grown and then candied Angelica leaves are better than any store bought stuff and Angelica leaves make a tea the is similar to China tea. Angelica will grow in all climates in Australia except the hot humid districts. One thing to note-it dies down in winter then pops up again in spring.
To get the flower seed, it’s just a matter of waiting after the flowers have died. One seed head has about 100 seeds. But you need to sow them within a few weeks after ripening or they lose their viability.
Seeds need light to germinate. Ideal temperature for germination is 20C, and germination usually occurs in less than 2 weeks.
TIP:When buying or ordering angelica, make sure to use the botanical name for it, as there are several species of angelica, and they are not used in the same ways. eg. There's Chinese Angelica, or Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) American Angelica and Wild angelica.
If they self seed, then keep the strongest as replacement stock.
You also can propagate angelica from root cuttings.
Design Elements: Today the problems are My garden is a big boring square and my yard is too big or seems too big?.. That usually means you don’t know where to start, so pencils at the ready....!
Plant of the Week:Acer palmatum or Japanese Maples make a statement on their own with fine delicate lacey foliage and strikingly coloured leaves. What could be better as a focal point in a small garden are using several in a large garden to highlight a different colour or to complement a colour scheme?
Plant for the red coloured leaves in Autumn
Native to Japan, China, Korea :small deciduous tree 15' to 25' shape can be rounded to irregular.
Leaves can be fine to medium texture. Japanese maples have a slow growth rate .is slow
Summer Foliage :opposite, 2" to 5" long, medium green color,5, 7 or 9 lance-shaped lobes, palmately arranged.
Autumn Foliage :turning yellow, orange, red or purple dependable for fall coloration color develops late and leaves hold well.
Bark :twigs have green and red, polished, shiny bark that is showy trunk and main branch bark is gray .stem and bark color is a valuable ornamental feature . Grow in :full sun to partial shade is best; shade tolerant ,moist, slightly acidic, well-drained, high organic matter soil is ideal .often stated to be delicate plants, but probably more adaptable than given credit for.
Japanese Maples perform best when grown in quality, free draining organic soil, in a cooler environment. Light dappled shade can be beneficial, as is protection from hot winds. Good water and nutrient supply during the spring and summer growth phases is important, and mulching can be helpful.dislikes hot, dry locations ,avoid windswept winter locations Make a great specimen plant, especially cultivars accent plant for artistic appearance ,rock gardens ,in mini-groves avoid over use of colored foliage selections .
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