Flowers and Plants
with Marge Szabo

MANY people grow proteas in their gardens but don’t realise that side shoots must be removed from the leaf axils as they develop. This ensures a flower clear of foliage and much better displayed.

If you are planting proteas or bucadendrons look for smooth leafed varieties such as P.exinea, P. merifolia or the hybrid "Pink Lee".

Among the bucadendrons "Silvan Red", "Inca Gold" and "Katie’s Blush".

The smooth leaved varieties tolerate our tropical summers much better than the furry leaved varieties.

The seasons come around so quickly and all our spectacular flowering tress have put on a wonderful display. While on this subject, can anyone tell me what to do to make a large 15-year-old poinciana flower? Not one this year!

As this is the last column for 1997, I would like to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year.