Careful what you wish for
Avocados
First project was to plant two new avocado types we’re going to try in a very protected area in Dreamland – namely a Wurtz and a Reed, both A-types. Two young but strong little trees – let’s hope they handle the harsh Victoria weather!
We still need some B-types to complement these, like a Bacon (which seems to work well in our area), a Sheppard or maybe a Pinkerton, but everyone seems to be out of stock at the moment…
Beautyberry
Next were two beautyberries (Callicarpa americana) that I sourced from Lou’s bloomin’ garden in Queensland. Louise is a retired lady that grows and sells the most amazing plants on EBay – definitely worth a look! The two berries she sent me were such nice strong little plants, and so well packaged too. Anyway, compounds in the beautyberry leaves apparently form a natural mosquito repellent, which is of particular interest to me, having a condition that is seriously aggravated by mosquito bites.

Young little Beautyberry, with rabbit protection
Entrance to secret garden
There is a section of Dreamland which forms a natural secluded little room, with terraces on either side of the entrance. On these a planted a wide variety of hardy Australian natives like Correo (various types), Greyvillea (various types), Boronia (various types), as well as a variety of other natives – all bird and bee attracting plants with different coloured flowers at different times of the year, including autumn and winter. I can’t wait for this little display to full out and keep on flowering!
I also completed the archway over the entrance and planted a Wisteria on either side – one with white flowers on the one side and one with purple flowers on the other side, that will hopefully meet in a colour cascade in the middle one day.
Lessons learnt
It’s been a wonderful day doing real work, so in this section I can just quote two expressions:
- “Be careful what you wish for…”
- “Make hay while the sun shines!”
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