Hoop Petticoat Daffodils - 2 wonderful varieties to look for

A wonderful Hoop petticoat daffodil, Narcissus Ta Julia is really a seed group between Narcissus Tarlatan with Narcissus Julia Jane. This is one from the great Australian (Tasmanian to be specific) Rod Barwick of Glenbrook Bulb farm fame.

Ta Julia

Rod Barwick is also responsible for Narcissus Bulbicodium ‘Spirot’ from the little detective series, and is a favourite in our garden and those of many others.

Spirot

Hoop Petticoat daffodils (Narcissus bulbocodium) are miniature, early-spring flowering bulbs with unique, flared, funnel-shaped cups that resemble old-fashioned petticoats. 

Small growing  by daffodil standards, 15.24 cm to 25.4 cm (6–10 inches) tall with narrow, grass-like foliage and are a great choicet for rock gardens, pots, or naturalizing in sunny, well-drained spots. 

You can find these great little Daffodils online, try Tonkin’s Bulbs or Hancocks Daffodils.

Nylon Group

Also worth a look is the Narcissus 'Nylon Group' are small, early-flowering hybrid bulbocodium (hoop-petticoat) daffodils, known for their white to greenish-white, trumpet-shaped flowers, often blooming in autumn or winter. 

Leptospermum Copper Glow - tea tree

 One of the standout low to medium Australian native hedging plants for gardens large and small is Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Copper Glow’. Valued for both its resilience and ornamental appeal, this variety is especially well suited to Australian conditions. It performs best in full sun, where its foliage colour is most intense, and it adapts readily to sandy or free-draining soils. Once established, ‘Copper Glow’ is impressively drought tolerant, making it an excellent choice for water-wise landscapes and low-maintenance gardens.

What truly sets this plant apart is its seasonal interest. During the warmer months it produces masses of delicate summer flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and beneficial insects, adding life and movement to the garden. The fresh new growth emerges in rich coppery tones, creating a striking contrast against the mature green foliage and providing year-round visual appeal.

As a hedge, Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Copper Glow’ responds well to pruning and can be maintained at a tidy low or medium height, depending on your needs. It works equally well as a formal clipped hedge or a more natural, softly shaped screen, making it a versatile addition to native, coastal, or contemporary garden designs.

Key points summary:

• Australian native suitable for low to medium hedging

• Thrives in full sun

• Tolerates sandy and free-draining soils

• Drought tolerant once established

• Summer flowering and pollinator friendly

• Attractive copper-coloured new growth

• Responds well to pruning and shaping

Peony obovata: Growing the Woodland Peony in the Shade Garden.

If you’re looking for a peony that feels at home in a woodland setting, Peony obovata (Woodland Peony) brings gentle beauty and plenty of character. Our experience growing this species from seed here in southern Australia has taught us patience — from sowing to first real blooms took six years, but the results are worth it.

Where is it From?

We received our seed from the Scottish Rock Garden Club, an amazing resource of information.

However Peony obovata hails from cool forests in Japan, China, Korea, and Eastern Russia, this plant is truly a woodland specialist. Unlike classic garden peonies, Peony obovata thrives in dappled or part shade in the Dandenong Ranges.

Foliage and Flowers

The leaves are strikingly divided into broad, oval (“obovate”) sections, forming a rounded mound through the growing season. In late spring, delicate cup-shaped blooms — typically pink, white, or rose-purple — stand above the foliage on sturdy stems.

The flowers aren’t huge or over-the-top like many of the Herbaceous Peonies. Maybe best described as elegant  with a very subtle fragrance, in flower it a an attractive plant. Like many peonies, a late-season highlight comes as seed pods split open, revealing shiny black seeds nestled in dramatic red cups.

Planting and Care

For best results, choose a spot with part shade and protect from harsh afternoon sun in warmer climates. Prep your soil with lots of compost to ensure good drainage — heavy or waterlogged sites can lead to trouble over winter.

We dig our soil over well adding a layer of bio char that has been 'inoculated' with cow manure. (We put these two ingredients into a bucket and let it sit for a week.) More on that process in a future article.

When planting, keep rhizome buds just below surface level. Adding a sprinkle of garden lime can boost flowering. Water regularly through spring and summer but avoid “wet feet” in dormant months.

Maintenance

Once settled, these peonies are low maintenance. Cut back dead foliage after frost, leave seed pods for autumn display, and enjoy years of dependable growth. Division is rarely necessary and best left for mature clumps.

Good Companions

Hostas, ferns, Corydalis, and Dicentra make excellent partners for Peony obovata in shaded beds. Its natural beauty adds a real difference to a woodland or shaded garden, the elegant white flower, good foliage and then colourful seed pods will provide interest from spring through autumn.

Coming Soon. 

Rosa Nuits de Young, an interesting Moss rose. Bred in 1845 by Jean Laffay, a rose with a wonderful fragrance....

Butterflies in Australia: Host and Nectar Plants for 11 Local Species For Victoria

Butterflies Of Victoria - Vanessa Itea - Yellow Admiral Butterfly

Australia is home to a beautiful diversity of butterfly species — In Victoria the well-known Common Brown and Australian Painted Lady to rarer visitors like the Yellow Jewel Butterfly. Each species plays a role in our local ecosystems, relying on specific native grasses, shrubs, and trees for their survival. 

This guide brings together information on eleven butterfly species found in Victoria, outlining where they occur, the plants their caterpillars depend on, and the flowers that adult butterflies feed from. Whether you’re a gardener, student, or nature enthusiast, these details can help you create habitats that support local butterfly life.

Any suggested additions or changes to this are welcome. We hope to have more information on Butterflies in future posts

#	Species	Distribution in Victoria	Larval Host Plants	Nectar / Adult Feeding Plants
1	Common Brown (Heteronympha merope)	Across south-western & south-eastern mainland Australia & Tasmania; forests, urban areas, grasslands in Victoria.	Native grasses: Poa spp., Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass), Microlaena stipoides (Weeping Grass).	General nectar sources; flowering plants such as native everlastings and daisies.
2	Meadow Argus (Junonia villida)	Open grassy areas, woodland/forest clearings, suburban gardens.	Herbaceous plants including Plantago spp. (plantains) and Malva spp. (mallows).	Flowering plants in open habitats; daisies, asters, and low shrubs.
3	Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi)	Widespread; open country, gardens.	Native and introduced daisies, e.g. Xerochrysum bracteatum (Paper Daisy), Chrysocephalum apiculatum.	Nectar from everlastings, daisies, wildflowers (e.g., Sticky Everlasting).
4	Yellow Admiral (Vanessa itea)	Mostly southern Victoria (Melbourne/Geelong), less common in drier NW.	Nettles and relatives: Parietaria debilis, Urtica urens (Stinging Nettle).	Nectar from flowering shrubs and trees; garden and native wildflowers.
5	Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona)	Migratory; irregular visitor/resident in Victoria.	Senna spp. (Fabaceae).	Nectar in open woodlands, gardens; limited Victorian data.
6	Macleay’s Swallowtail (Graphium macleayanus)	Cool rainforest and higher rainfall forest zones; only swallowtail permanently in Victoria.	Trees/shrubs in Lauraceae, Rutaceae, Winteraceae: Atherosperma moschatum (Black Sassafras), Tasmannia lanceolata.	Leptospermum, Lantana, Buddleja flowers.
7	Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) [Introduced]	Naturalised species; gardens, open areas.	Asclepias spp. (Milkweeds) and related plants.	Wide range of nectar-rich plants, native and exotic.
8	Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus)	Rare in southern Victoria; more common in eastern areas, sometimes via citrus plantings.	Boronia, Eriostemon, Zieria (native Rutaceae) and Citrus spp. (introduced).	Garden/orchard flowers; Lantana, Chrysocephalum, Ammobium alatum, everlastings.
9	Caper White (Belenois java)	Migratory; appears in Victoria but rarely breeds.	Capparis spp. (Caper bush); host plants rare in Victoria.	General flowering plants during migration; limited data.
10	Small Grass-yellow (Eurema smilax)	Recorded in Bayside area; distribution less detailed.	Native legumes (Fabaceae), e.g. Senna spp.	Open grassy/shrubby areas; general flowering plants.
11	Yellow Jewel Butterfly (Hypochrysops byzos)	Mainly eastern Victoria.	Pomaderris lanigera, P. andromedifolia, P. aspera, P. cotoneaster, P. ferruginea, Commersonia fraseri (Brush Kurrajong).	Brachyscome, Callistemon, Grevillea, Kunzea, Leptospermum, Melaleuca, Pimelea, Senecio.

About This Project

This article was created to help Victorian gardeners, students, and butterfly enthusiasts learn more about local species and the plants that support them. Information is sourced from Museums Victoria Collections, Castlemaine Field Naturalists, and Butterfly Conservation SA, among others.

Readers are encouraged to get involved in local groups such as the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society to learn more about native plants and butterfly conservation in their area.

We are compiling similar articles for each state and territory, if you would like to contribute or comment please contact us.

References & Sources

• Museums Victoria Collections
• Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club
• Butterfly Conservation South Australia
• Geoff Park: Natural Newstead Blog
• Climate Watch Australia
• Bayside City Council Fauna Lists
• Moths and Butterflies Australia

Information compiled from these sources and local field observations Including Kawarra Gardens Kalorama. Readers are encouraged to explore these sites for more details on Victorian butterflies and native plants.

Beallara Orchids - Snowblind ‘Sweet Spots’: Striking, Easy-Care Orchid

 Here  is a quick look at an amazing Beallara Orchid, its called Beallara Snowblind ‘Sweet Spots’ and is a hybrid orchid that’s both elegant and surprisingly easy to grow. Its ruffled white flowers, dotted with purple spots, add instant charm to any orchid collection. A cross between Oncidium Black Diamond and Aliceara Tropic Splendor, it combines beautiful blooms with the hardy nature of Beallara orchids.

Care made simple:

• Light: Bright, filtered light with 3 hours of morning sun. Avoid harsh afternoon rays.

• Medium: Use a well-draining bark mix with perlite to keep roots healthy.

• Water: Keep the medium moist but never soggy; don’t let it dry completely.

• Temperature & Humidity: Day 20–30 °C, night 13–20 °C; 30–60% humidity.

• Fertiliser & Repotting: Feed lightly in spring/summer, reduce in winter. Repot every two years after flowering.

Tips for success: Good airflow, a slight night-time temperature drop, and trimming spent flower spikes help the plant thrive.

Perfect for hobbyists, this orchid offers long-lasting blooms and a splash of pattern that stands out from plain whites. With minimal fuss, Beallara Snowblind ‘Sweet Spots’ is a rewarding addition to any indoor garden.

Ref: https://www.nurseriesonline.com.au/plant-index/orchids/beallara-orchids/

Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon meadia) – Perfect for Light Shade

 

Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon meadia) are charming spring-flowering perennials that bring a touch of woodland magic to shaded gardens. These delightful plants feature clusters of elegant, reflexed flowers that truly resemble tiny shooting stars in mid-flight.

Native to North America, Dodecatheon meadia thrives in light shade and well-drained soil with moderate moisture. They’re a wonderful choice for woodland gardens, rock gardens, or naturalized areas where they can quietly multiply over time.

We originally purchased ours from Gentiana Nursery in Olinda, and they’ve been thriving for over ten years — a testament to how hardy and low-maintenance these plants can be.

🌿 Growing Tips

• Light: Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight

• Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich soil

• Water: Keep soil evenly moist during spring growth

• Care: Little maintenance once established — allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering

With their elegant blooms and easy-going nature, Shooting Stars are a must-have for gardeners who love delicate, long-lasting spring color in shaded spaces.

A  few others to consider are

• Geranium maculatum (Wild Geranium) 
• Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge) 
• Trilliums including Trillium grandiflorum (Large-flowered Trillium) 
• Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit) 
• Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot) 

All of these share similar woodland or meadow conditions and add extra layers to the seasonal interest in gardens featuring Dodecathion meadia.

If you would like to know a little more about these plants check out my article here.

Sophronitis brevipedunculata

 Sophronitis brevipedunculata, sometimes called the Short Stemmed Sophrontis is a vibrant orchid native to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, is prized for its fiery red-orange blooms. 

This one comes from altitudes of around 1000 - 2000 metres, moisture coming from the ever present clouds

so it thrives in cool to intermediate climates, it prefers bright, indirect light and excellent air circulation. 

Water moderately, allowing roots to dry slightly between waterings. Mounted or in bark-based media, it flourishes best with high humidity and regular fertilization during the growing season.