Gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON writes in praise of an evergreen climber will cover a wall in very little time with delicate yellow, trumpet-like, sweetly scented flowers from late winter to early spring.

While most of the spectacular climbers we grow in our region are deciduous, there’s one stand-out, evergreen climber that looks terrific all year round – the Caroline Jasmine.

With small, shiny leaves, this climber (Gelsemium sempervirens) will need a trellis or wires to twine itself. In full sun, it can get up to three metres.

Considered to be a long-flowering climber, Caroline Jasmine will cover a wall in very little time with delicate yellow, trumpet-like, sweetly scented flowers from late winter to early spring.

It needs an annual prune after flowering to prevent its prolific growth becoming straggly and tangled, and to also prevent any fungal issues.

This plant can cause skin irritation, so when pruning wear gloves for handling green waste.

It can easily be propagated from its runners or stem cuttings. In propagation mix, it will grow roots and once they emerge, plant them in the ground once the soil has warmed. 

All jasmines need full sun to flower well and a good general all-purpose fertilisers as soon as the flowers begin to open. 

JUNE is a pleasant time in the garden with camellias in flower. Once established they can be hardy and drought tolerant. Camellia sasanquas are flowering now. They are easy to identify as the flowers and foliage are smaller than its counterpart. They’re more sun and cold tolerant and faster growing – ideal for an evergreen hedge. 

Camellia japonicas flower late winter to early spring and the flowers and foliage are much larger, to the extent they can also be a large shrub or small tree. They prefer a more sheltered spot in the garden with protection from the sun and winds. 

An unusual camellia to look out for is the Higo camellia. They are different to other japonicas in that they have distinct yellow centres. They can be treated the same as all japonicas camellias.

Unbothered by frosts, Yabilota (C. sinensis) can be grown in our region. It is a long-lived, spreading shrub that likes acidic soil. Its leaves can be picked and processed to make tea at home.

Once the tea plant has been tip pruned, the leaves need to air dried on a single, clean surface and once completely dry and brittle, tea leaves can be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry place to maintain flavour and quality. 

The young, new growth is best for tea and picking leaves encourages more growth.

Fertilise with natural products to keep growth strong.

Generally, camellias need to have their shallow roots kept moist and protected under the soil with mulch. They should be kept moist, but not wet. 

FLOWERING now and right into spring are Ranunculus or Persian buttercups. They are an unusual looking little corm that is planted pointy end down about six weeks before the first frost.

The corms are no more than 10 centimetres, but they pack a punch when planted en masse and with their bright, large flowers, available in all sorts of colours.

They prefer a soil that’s on the dry side and in full sun to flower well and, if the conditions are right, they will multiply year after year. 

Jottings

• Liquid feed any native plants that are in flower. 

• Plant cyclamens for long lasting winter colour.

• Continue to pick winter greens to keep them cropping. 

• Don’t prune any frost damage on citrus until spring. 

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au