How a Horticulturist Reads the Signs

Diagnostics, Treatment, and the Wisdom of Plants

by Guest Writer Robert Wilson

Some species act as bio-indicators, revealing underlying nutrient imbalances or environmental stress through changes in leaf colour, growth form, or flushing behaviour. Others function as bio-accumulators, with remarkable abilities to draw specific elements, like heavy metals, out of the soil, offering us pathways for in-situ remediation.

A recent experience with our Macadamia jansenii collection brought this into sharp focus. This Critically Endangered species, endemic to Central Queensland, is part of a dedicated conservation display here at the gardens. Propagated asexually from wild-collected mother plants, each individual is genetically important, preserving a unique slice of the species’ very limited diversity.

However, we noticed significant variability in performance across the bed. Some plants flourished, while others declined without a clear reason. After consulting with partner institutions and confirming that genetic variability was to be expected (and in fact known to display in certain clones) in such a wild-provenanced group, the pattern still felt inconsistent.

The breakthrough came from one of our Technical Officers, who unearthed historic soil test data from the site, which revealed high Copper levels. Levels that could absolutely affect plant health, especially in sensitive, wild species like Macadamia jansenii.

We faced a dilemma: move the affected plants and risk splitting the collection/losing specimens to transplant shock, or work toward in-situ remediation. Fortunately, nature had already provided an answer, Helianthus annuus, the humble sunflower, is a known bio-accumulator of Copper.

Plants like sunflowers have a remarkable ability to draw up and store or metabolise excess ions and compounds in the soil. By sowing a crop throughout the bed, we began a live remediation experiment. The results? A noticeable improvement in the health of this Macadamia collection.

There’s another facet to the story: indicator plants, species whose physiological responses reveal shifts in environmental conditions, disease pressure or pest populations. Some signal their own stress, prompting timely intervention. Others, when deliberately integrated into planting schemes, serve as early detection tools, providing advance warning of broader issues before more sensitive or high-value plants are affected. In skilled hands, they move beyond passive symptoms to become active sentinels within the landscape. A classic example can be found in vineyards, where roses are traditionally planted at the ends of grape rows. Highly susceptible to Powdery Mildew, they often show symptoms ahead of the vines, giving growers a timely cue to apply preventative treatments.

Whether acting as bio-accumulators to remediate heavy metals or as indicators of pest, disease, or climate stress, plants are constantly offering feedback to those who know how to read it.

Shiny, Dead, and Overpriced

Today I found out something that honestly blew my mind.

People still buy honey from the supermarket and have no idea that it’s fake! Somehow, we’ve normalised honey that stays perfectly liquid forever. We’ve been sold the idea that clear liquid honey is better, when in reality, it often just means overly processed, lifeless, and ineffective.

This rabbit hole doesn’t stop with honey. It runs deep through our pantries, our skincare routines, and even our gardens.

Crystallisation is Life

Real, raw honey crystallises. It’s supposed to. That process is natural, a sign of the presence of glucose and trace particles like pollen that trigger crystallisation. Supermarket honey doesn’t crystallise because it’s been aggressively processed to improve its shelf appeal and extend its use-by date.

That usually means:

• Heat treatment (pasteurisation) - heating honey to around 60–70°C breaks down crystals and slows crystallisation, but it also destroys the natural enzymes (like diastase, invertase, and glucose oxidase), which are responsible for its antibacterial, antioxidant, and digestive properties.

• Ultrafiltration - this removes not only particles like wax and pollen (which are natural indicators of origin and quality), but also strips away much of the honey’s flavour complexity, nutrient density, and trace minerals.

• Blending from multiple, often international sources - most commercial honey isn’t single-origin. It’s pooled from various suppliers, sometimes across countries, to create a uniform, supermarket-friendly product. This means you have no real idea where your honey comes from, how it was produced, or what standards it was held to.

What you’re left with is honey that looks “clean” and pours neatly but is void of life. No active enzymes, beneficial microbes and worse no subtle floral signatures from the plants the bees foraged.

It’s essentially just sugar syrup with a great marketing spin.

Real honey, raw and unfiltered, varies in colour and flavour with the flowers of the season, and yes, it crystallises over time. That crystallisation isn’t a flaw. It’s a feature. It tells you that the honey still contains all its natural compounds, just as the bees made it.

Want to go deeper into what real honey is (and isn’t)? Read my full honey blog here

Fractionated Means Stripped Bare

Next stop on the deception train: coconut oil. 

You might see “fractionated coconut oil” sold at premium prices. Some companies even market it as better than real coconut oil, thanks to its “feather-light emollient effect” and “Certified Pure Tested Grade™” status.

Sounds fancy, right?

But fractionated coconut oil is just coconut oil that’s been processed to remove the fatty acids that give it any real benefit, especially lauric acid, which is what gives virgin coconut oil its antibacterial, antiviral power.

It’s clear, it doesn’t solidify and it looks “pure” but to get to that point, it lost everything that made it good.

So while it’s stable and neat and won’t harden in the cupboard… it’s also nutritionally meaningless.

Fertiliser Fakery: When “Organic” Isn’t Alive

And then we get to the garden aisle.

Everyone wants organic fertiliser these days. Pelletised, easy to apply, no smell, no mess. Sounds ideal, right? There’s a problem with that, most pelletised organic fertilisers are made using high heat extrusion.

That means they’ve been cooked at temperatures that:

• Destroy microbial life

• Break down beneficial compounds like humic and fulvic acids

• Leave you with pellets that do very little for the soil

So you’re spending money on “organic” fertiliser that’s just dead bulk.

Organic Link I have found is one exception. Instead of heat, they use low-temperature dehydration to form their pellets. This method retains soil-loving microorganisms, active humic substances and actual organic nutrients that actually feed your soil

Destroying Life for Aesthetics

I wish my daughter came up with this catch phrase, but she didn’t. We are living in a culture that promotes clear and beautiful over real and healthier. We’ve been trained to value appearance, convenience, clarity, and neatness over substance, integrity, and function.

Let’s be honest, most products on our shelves have been overly processed, stripped, sterilised, and deactivated, all in the name of shelf life, marketing, “premium” appeal and profit. These products have lost their soul, and I feel so are we by allowing this to happen. Normalising this.

Can we all just take a moment… and think?

Seriously. Use our brains.

Corporations aren’t here to save us. Capilano isn’t here to give us real honey. No one is offering us real food anymore. And let’s be honest, our government is doing nothing to protect the farmers who actually feed us.

So let’s start a movement. Let’s start with honey.

Stop buying the supermarket stuff, I don’t care how fancy the label looks. Buy from a local beekeeper. Ask where it came from. Learn what real honey tastes like. And once you’ve made that switch, let’s talk about eggs. Then meat. Then the rest.

Because change doesn’t come from the top. It starts at the checkout.

“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito.”  African proverb

Real consumers ask questions.
So let’s start asking them and let’s start now.

What if the Problem isn't the Plant

After watching this video, I feel compelled to raise some critical points that were completely overlooked.

Firstly, blanket blaming and banning isn’t the answer.

Let’s start with something simple: maintenance. Whether in home gardens, public spaces, or council plantings, it’s called maintenance for a reason. Thinning, deadheading, pruning, and soil checks are basic tasks. And yet we keep skipping this conversation. If you're planting anything, you need to know how to care for it. If you're in charge of a space, public or private, and you're not qualified, it's time to educate yourself. Ask questions. Learn from garden centres and/or trained professionals. Respect the plants you're working with. Let’s stop demonising plants due to neglect, laziness, or a lack of education.

Yes, there are plants that shouldn’t be sold, and many already aren’t. The idea that the entire nursery and garden industry is to blame, or that it’s completely unregulated, is not only unfair,  it’s simply untrue. There are regulations, and many species are either banned or restricted depending on the region.

Most independent garden centres offer personalised advice and often warn customers about plant behaviour and risks. But it’s not their role to determine whether someone will neglect their plants, dump them in bushland, or pass them along irresponsibly through friends or online marketplaces. If we’re looking for accountability, maybe it’s time for a national register of repeat offenders. Those who consistently allow invasive spread, dump green waste illegally, or sell problematic plants through unregulated platforms.

Let’s be honest: we don’t ban fast fashion, even though it causes undeniable environmental damage. We don’t blacklist the companies or individuals perpetuating it. In fact, we rarely even call them out. Yet we’re quick to vilify growers and garden centres doing their best within a broken system.

And while we’re here, let’s talk about nationwide chain stores. They often make purchasing decisions at a national level with no consideration for regional climates or ecosystems. From now on, these chains must be required to consult locally trained and experienced horticulturists, professionals who actually understand what is suitable for that specific area. If they can’t offer that level of care or advice at a higher level, how can they offer that on the sales floor? Maybe they should be restricted from selling plants altogether.

And here’s the part that gets missed too often:
A plant that behaves invasively in one region may be perfectly well-behaved in another. Many so-called “weeds” are only classified that way in certain areas, while in others, they’re playing an important ecological role, providing soil coverage, reducing erosion, preventing more aggressive weeds from taking hold, and even offering habitat and food sources for wildlife.

Likewise, some native species can become weeds when planted outside their natural range. So the blanket call to “just plant natives” is not only simplistic, it’s often misleading and counterproductive. And even when we do want to use more appropriate native species, there’s a practical barrier: many simply aren’t grown commercially. Not because horticulturists are unwilling, but because the supply chain, propagation infrastructure, and commercial demand don’t currently support them.

After all this, we need to turn our attention to unregulated markets,  where there are little to no rules in place. It’s not just about selling declared weeds. It’s about biosecurity.

Who knows what soil or conditions these plants have been grown in? Are sellers on platforms like Marketplace or eBay adhering to fire ant protocols? Myrtle rust controls? Do they know what diseases or pests they might be spreading?

Meanwhile, professional nurseries, growers, and garden centres operate under strict regulations, including quarantine laws, biosecurity protocols, weed control, and chemical use standards. Many go above and beyond to ensure their practices are safe, sustainable, and regionally appropriate. Yes, the industry is technically ‘self-regulated’, but let’s be clear, we’re the ones held legally accountable. We face thousands of dollars in fines, the threat of business closure, and even jail time if we breach those standards.

And yet, the blame still falls on us.

That’s not just inaccurate, it’s lazy.

Now, let’s talk about the most alarming part: The person interviewed about these so-called “problem plants”? They used a plant ID app to support their claims.

Let that sink in.

We are platforming voices to lead national conversations on horticulture while ignoring the trained professionals who actually understand plants, landscapes, ecology, and long-term impacts. You cannot make serious claims about weed risk or garden design based on a smartphone guess and walking through a public space.

Let’s stop the knee-jerk bans and broad-brush blame.

We need horticulturists at the table. People with real-world knowledge of propagation, ecology, biosecurity, and plant behaviour. Stop sidelining the people who live and breathe this work.

And we need education. Not a watered-down government scheme. Not a one-day course run by someone who’s never held secateurs properly. We need education led by trained, experienced professionals. The ones who’ve worked in the soil, in the nurseries, in the wild, and in our changing climate. Education that considers regional needs, long-term impact, and plant-human-environment relationships. Education that empowers gardeners, landscapers, and councils alike.

Horticulture is not a hobby. It’s a trade. A science. A profession. And it’s time we started treating it like one.

The Crisis No One Talks About

“Can You Fix It?”

The Hidden Cost of Cheap Advice and the Quiet Strength of Horticulture

Recently, I saw a post from Tim’s Garden Centre, and it stopped me in my tracks because… well, I feel it. Every single word of it.

“I spend my time fixing gardeners’ problems. They send me photos. They want my advice. ‘How can I fix this?’ One bought a rapid weed killer off the shelf and sprayed the lawn — didn’t just kill the weeds, killed everything.
Another went to the big shed, asked for a weed killer, forgot to mention the words ‘for my lawn’. They sold him a non-selective herbicide. Lovely guy. He even sprayed the neighbour’s lawn to help out.
A week later, he calls in a panic. ‘I’m in trouble with the neighbour — what do I do?’
He didn’t buy the product from me, but he wants me to fix it. That’s horticulture.”

And that’s what it’s like running a garden centre. That seems to be horticulture now.

We’re the ones who get called from the plant aisle at the big box store, mid-shop (or in some cases, after the damage is done!) because someone’s overwhelmed and unsure.

We’re the ones people swing past on their way home from the markets because they bought something “pretty” and now need to know what it is, how to plant it, or why Google gave them three different answers.

We’re the backup plan. The plant rescue hotline. The quiet fixer behind the scenes.

And honestly? I love helping people build their green dreams.
There’s nothing better than seeing someone light up when their garden finally starts to thrive.

But here’s what gets hard.

Not the helping, but the constant undervaluing of the profession behind it.

Every week, I find myself gently untangling planting plans that went wrong.
Sometimes a hard landscaper or landscape architect designed the layout, but without any real understanding of the plants, soil, climate, or the client’s capacity to maintain it. Sometimes the sign said one thing. Sometimes the label gave poor advice. Sometimes Google offered a home remedy with no real measurements, and the rest was guesswork.

People sometimes aren’t given real advice.

No one asked about their soil, their aspect, their climate, or their ability to maintain what they were planting.

No one asked the deeper question: “What are you actually trying to achieve?” (In some cases, like killing weeds, the goal wasn’t even to kill the lawn at all.)

I wrote about this same issue years ago (and in several articles since), a shocking example where composted fertiliser was recommended as potting mix to new gardeners. It was a costly mistake that could’ve been avoided with the right guidance (The Value of Expert Advice)

And the truth is, they didn’t buy it from us or get advice from us. Not because they didn’t care, but maybe because it was convenient. The price was right. It was the right place at the right time.

We’ve all done it. We’ve walked into a big box store for one thing and walked out with twenty. We’ve deep-dived on Google and walked away feeling like honorary doctors.

And that’s when they come to us.

Not for judgment but for help.

And we do help because creating a thriving garden is what we love to do.

It’s Not About Where You Buy

What saddens me isn’t that people buy plants from different places.

I think people should buy more plants, full stop.

What concerns me is the lack of understanding that horticulture is a trained profession. That your local garden centre is filled with people who’ve studied soil, plant health, design, and care. That we’re not just selling plants. We are trying to set your plants and you up for success. 

Horticulture Is a Trade. A Profession. A Craft.

In parts of Europe, the UK, and Japan, horticulturists are treated with the same respect as builders, electricians, or chefs.

• In Germany, becoming a horticulturist involves formal apprenticeships, exams, and specialist certifications.

• In Japan, the art of garden-making is passed down like a sacred trust.

• In the UK, head gardeners at Botanical Gardens and historic estates are highly qualified experts with decades of experience.

And here in Australia, especially in Queensland, horticulturists, who would be seen as trained tradespeople or even masters in some countries, are often just seen as “gardeners.” Hobbyists. Someone who liked plants and decided to open a shop.

What’s worse is that many of the people in leadership positions, within industry bodies, councils, and government, seem to lack even a basic understanding of the trade they’re meant to represent.

How can one advocate for an industry they don’t fully understand?

Horticulture Is a Skilled Profession

Granted, there will always be someone who knows more, but trained horticulturists understand root systems, pest cycles, fertiliser chemistry, pruning schedules, pH balances, plant pairings, and climate shifts.

And if we don’t know something, we are always willing to learn. We are always the first ones on new innovations and information.

Local garden centres don’t just stock what looks good.

We stock what works, in your region, in your soil, in your home.

The Root of the Problem

There are many problems, but one of the biggest is how the industry has shifted.

We’ve been trained to believe that if a plant dies, you just get your money back. But what does that teach us?

That garden plants are disposable?

That success in the garden is based on luck rather than applied science, technique, and professional knowledge?

Because the truth is, thriving gardens aren’t an accident. They’re the result of thoughtful planting, good soil, the right location, and of course, the right advice.

Industry bodies keep pushing for better labels, QR codes, website links, and social media presence.

But where is the push for education and training? Where is the pressure for apprenticeships? For investing in the future of horticulture Where is the call to support your local garden centre’s senior horticulturists? To listen to experts, to consult professionals? Where is the drive to promote horticulture as a trade, not a mowing job?

No One Talks About Soil Anymore

When a plant fails, it’s almost always blamed on the plant. But it’s rarely the plant.

No one asks:

• What soil was it planted in?

• Was it hydrophobic?

• What aspect was it under?

• Was it watered properly?

• Was it even the right plant for that space?

And that’s not the customer’s fault. It’s a systems issue. A cultural shift. An erosion of education and professional trust.

The Way Forward: Trust, Respect, and Education

I don’t think you need to buy every plant or get every bit of gardening knowledge from an independent garden centre.

But I am asking you to remember this:

When you need advice… When you want your garden to thrive long-term… When you’re tired of throwing money at plants that don’t live…

Come to your local garden centre. Come to the professionals. Ask the questions. Get the context. Learn from people who actually know. We don’t always have every answer but we’ve made a life out of finding them. Because plants are our passion.

Helping you grow confidently? That’s the real reward.

And if we lose professionals, if you stop using them… the industry will die. And worse than that, there’ll be no one left on the end of the phone. No one to answer your questions.
No one to say: “I’ve got you. Let’s fix this.”

True Cost of Greenlife

Why We Need to Rethink the Way We Value Plants

When a plant dies, what’s the first thing we blame?

The plant itself. It wasn’t strong enough. It wasn’t meant for this climate. It just wasn’t a ‘good’ plant.

But have we ever stopped to ask:

• Was the soil right?

• Was it planted correctly?

• Did it get the nutrients it needed?

• Was it given the right care at the right time?

In reality, when a plant doesn’t thrive, it’s rarely the plant’s fault. It can be just lack of knowledge that leads to failure.

This is where the real issue lies: we aren’t just undervaluing plants. We’re undervaluing the expertise required to care for them properly.

The Hidden Costs of Every Plant

Some people see a plant on a shelf and assume its journey started with a cutting and some water. In reality, getting that plant to you is an investment of time, money, and knowledge:

Plant Breeding & Trials

It can take years of research and thousands of dollars to develop a plant that is resilient, beautiful, and commercially viable. Many plants never make it past trials, meaning growers bear the cost of failure before success. This isn’t just true for new plant releases—many Australian natives are incredibly difficult to propagate, and it can take years before they are commercially viable. Some native species require highly specific conditions for germination, while others have low success rates in propagation, meaning extensive trial and error is required before they can be sold in nurseries. Growers invest in these plants long before they ever see a return, and often entire species are abandoned due to the cost and difficulty of making them viable for the market.

Patents, Breeding Rights & Labels

The legalities behind plants can cost thousands, yet this is rarely discussed. Ever wonder why some plants are more expensive? Because they have undergone rigorous testing, licensing, and production costs. There are even laws surrounding the reselling of them. Some plants can only be sold once they reach a certain size or with a specific label. Others are protected under strict propagation laws—meaning cuttings cannot legally be taken and resold. Additionally, some plant labels, particularly those for certified varieties, are expensive to produce and contribute to the overall cost of the plant.

Propagation & Growing Costs

Plants require specialised care, including the right soil blends, fertilisers, and controlled environments.

Transport & Logistics

Moving plants is complex. If done incorrectly, entire shipments can be lost, adding to the cost.

Retail & Maintenance

Even once a plant reaches a nursery, it still requires expert care until it finds a home.

And yet, when a plant is priced higher than expected, people balk. Why? Because the industry has done a poor job of educating consumers about the real value of plants.

Stop Googling, Start Trusting Experts

In an age where information is at our fingertips, many assume a quick Google search is enough to make them an expert in plant care. But the reality is, Google doesn’t know your specific soil conditions, your climate variations, or your personal garden environment—a local trained horticulturist should.

There are some plant retailers that sell plants as commodities, stripping away the value of professional advice. When people buy plants from these places, they often struggle, leading to disappointment and disillusionment with gardening altogether.

It’s Time to Shift the Conversation

• Horticulture is a trade, not a hobby. Just like electricians, mechanics, and builders, horticulturists are trained professionals with years of knowledge and experience. Unfortunately, in Australia, over the last ten years, our training has started to lose its depth and rigor. However, there are still dedicated professionals within the trade who have a passion for continuous learning, always seeking to expand their expertise and update their skills.

• Plants are an investment, not a disposable product. They require care, expertise, and the right conditions to thrive. Unfortunately, plants are often treated as an afterthought, especially in landscaping. Too often, we see million-dollar homes designed with meticulous attention to detail, only to have their landscapes thrown together with $10 worth of plants and no consideration for soil health, climate, or long-term growth. Plants are not just decorative accessories; they are living organisms that require proper planning, the right foundation, and ongoing care to truly enhance a space. Without investing in the right soil, appropriate plant selection, and expert advice, these rushed landscapes inevitably fail, leading to wasted money, frustration, and a cycle of replacing plants rather than cultivating a thriving, sustainable environment.

• Education is key to success. Instead of relying on quick online answers, seek expert advice from those who truly understand plants and how they grow in your environment. If you’re reading this and thinking, ‘That sounds like too much effort,’ don’t worry—it’s not. With the right advice, gardening can be simple, effective, and even enjoyable. The key is to start with good information, tailored to your specific conditions, so you’re setting yourself up for success from the beginning. With expert guidance, growing and maintaining plants doesn’t have to be overwhelming; it can be a rewarding and effortless part of your daily life.

Next time you pick up a plant, consider it an investment, not just in your garden, but in the expertise and years of research behind it.

Trial and error can be a fun learning curve as sometimes pushing the boundaries can lead to exciting discoveries. One of my favourite sayings is, 'Prove me wrong'! I can give you all the advice, but if you manage to make something thrive in the 'wrong' place, that’s an achievement worth celebrating! However, for the best chance of success, seeking advice from trained professionals can save you time, effort, and frustration. We genuinely want to help you make the right choices so your plants thrive and bring you joy. So instead of always relying on trial and error, seek advice from trained professionals who genuinely want to help you succeed.

Plants aren’t "just plants." They are the result of knowledge, passion, and science. Let’s start treating them that way.

Grown not Flown

Valentine’s Day Flowers: The Beauty of Buying Local

Valentine’s Day is a time to express love and appreciation, often through the timeless gift of fresh flowers. At Trevallan Lifestyle Centre, we believe that every bouquet should not only bring joy but also support our community. That’s why we source our cut flowers from two local flower farms, ensuring that even on special days like this, our commitment to working closely with local suppliers remains strong.

But why does buying local matter?

Understanding Where Your Flowers Come From

When choosing flowers, it’s easy to get swept up in the beauty of imported roses and elaborate arrangements without considering their origins. Many cut flowers sold in supermarkets and larger retailers are imported from overseas, often traveling thousands of kilometers before reaching Australian shelves. This has significant consequences, including:

• Environmental Impact: Imported flowers contribute to a high carbon footprint due to long-haul transport and refrigeration.

• Chemical Treatments: To meet quarantine regulations, imported flowers are frequently treated with chemicals that may affect their freshness and longevity.

• Economic Displacement: Relying on foreign growers can weaken the local flower industry, making it harder for Australian flower farms to compete.

A deep dive into the cut flower industry, such as the one highlighted in this article, reveals just how critical it is to be aware of these factors when making purchasing decisions.

The Power of Small, Simple Gestures

Choosing locally grown flowers isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about community. When you buy from a small business like Trevallan, you’re not just purchasing a bouquet. You’re supporting:

• Local flower farmers who dedicate their time and expertise to growing beautiful, high-quality blooms.

• Small business ecosystems where florists, nurseries, and local artisans thrive.

• Ethical and sustainable practices that benefit both consumers and the environment.

Beyond cut flowers, we also source our potted roses and flowering plants from local growers, offering a more sustainable and lasting alternative to traditional bouquets. A potted rose or flowering plant can continue to bloom for seasons to come, serving as a long-lasting symbol of love and appreciation.

A Valentine’s Day with Heart

This Valentine’s Day, let’s make conscious choices. Whether you’re picking up a bouquet of locally grown flowers or gifting a potted rose, your decision has a ripple effect. By choosing small businesses that support other small businesses, you’re contributing to a cycle of sustainability, ethical consumerism, and local economic growth.

At Trevallan Lifestyle Centre, we stand by our ethos of working closely with local suppliers—not just for Valentine’s Day, but every day. When you give a gift that is grown, not flown, you’re giving something truly meaningful: love for your special someone, support for your community, and care for the environment.

Visit us this Valentine’s Day to find the perfect locally sourced floral gift that speaks from the heart.

National Tree Planting Day: A Superficial Solution to a Deep-Seated Problem

As National Tree Planting Day approaches, I find myself grappling with a deep sense of frustration. While the initiative to plant trees is undoubtedly well-intentioned, it feels like a hollow gesture when juxtaposed with the ongoing destruction of our natural landscapes and cherished places like Scott’s Farm in Ripley Valley.

Nature has an incredible ability to heal us, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can relieve stress and anxiety, improve mood, and even boost the immune system. Practices like Japan’s "shinrin-yoku" or forest bathing have demonstrated profound benefits for mental health, including the reduction of depression and anxiety. Even the presence of plants in our indoor spaces can significantly improve our well-being.

Yet, despite these benefits, we continue to see a devastating trend: the destruction of our natural environments in favour of development. Scott’s Farm is a prime example, a 130-year-old farm at risk of being replaced by urban sprawl. How can we justify planting a few trees in designated areas when these very spaces are at constant risk of being obliterated by council or government decisions?

Where do we draw the line between progress and nature? At what point do we stop to appreciate and protect the natural beauty that we still have, rather than allowing it to be consumed by endless development? It's disheartening to see housing estates and urban sprawl encroaching on every available green space, with little regard for the ecological and historical value these places hold.

Our botanical gardens, once revered as spaces to understand and appreciate nature, are now often treated like parks. People have lost sight of their purpose, using them as playgrounds, rollerblading and playing football on the lawns instead of using them as sanctuaries of biodiversity and knowledge. My children grew up respecting these spaces but also enjoying them. Finding flowers, new pathways, insects, and animals, and understanding their importance. Now, it seems these values are being eroded.

We need to shift the conversation. It’s not enough to plant a few trees and pat ourselves on the back. We need comprehensive green growth planning for new communities, ensuring that our urban jungles don’t become concrete deserts. Small green spaces in new housing developments are often neglected, turning into paved areas devoid of life. We need to prioritise creating lush, vibrant environments that benefit both people and wildlife.

National Tree Day, established by Planet Ark in 1996, is Australia's largest community tree-planting and nature care event. It encourages Australians to contribute to their environment by planting and caring for native trees and shrubs to improve the natural habitat. The day serves as an educational opportunity, especially for children, to learn about environmental stewardship, the importance of native plants, and the role of trees in ecosystems. It fosters a sense of responsibility and connection to the natural world, promoting long-term environmental sustainability​ (National Tree Day)​​

Over the past decade, local councils across Australia, including Ipswich, have participated actively in National Tree Day, planting thousands of native trees to enhance the local environment. Through initiatives like the Habitat Connections Program, councils have planted significant numbers of native plants each year to improve waterway corridors and boost biodiversity​ (Ipswich City Council). However, where do we draw the line between a PR campaign with the community planting trees versus the councils doing their job in the first place to keep these important greenspaces alive? We can rely on the community to get together to help plant the trees, but who takes care of them after planting?

Specific data on the survival rate of these trees over the last ten years is not readily available. Studies on urban tree mortality suggest that the success of tree planting initiatives can be significantly influenced by factors such as funding, soil conditions, and maintenance practices. Elaine Cresswell, founder of ReShaped, highlights in her podcast "The Death and Life of City Trees" that an estimated 30% to 70% of city trees die within a year of planting due to these very issues. These problems often begin long before the trees are even planted, starting with the nursery conditions and extending through to planting and aftercare practices​.

Not planting trees is not the answer. Instead, we must learn how to better manage and live with them. Trees are worth the trouble. Proper tree management, such as selecting the right species and ensuring they are planted and maintained correctly, can mitigate many of the risks associated with urban trees. For instance, removing all trees around a building can cause wind speeds to double, putting roofs, buildings, and lives at greater risk. Trees also stabilise land on slopes, reducing the risk of landslides, and keep us cooler during summer heatwaves.

We need trees. We need green urban jungles, not concrete ones. In a previous blog, I emphasised the necessity of plants and trees around our homes. They make us happier and healthier, improve our house values, make neighbourhoods safer, and can even reduce our bills. We need to change the conversation. We should be asking why people don’t have gardens and if their answer is lack of time, promoting the value of having a horticulturally trained gardener.

Gestures are just that, gestures, unless they are backed by concrete plans and sustained actions. We need to start implementing forward-thinking council plans for homeowners and public spaces. We need continuous education and engagement to create a future of green urban jungles, not concrete ones. Only then can we truly claim to be making a difference.

Change the Conversation

As a long suffering greenspace lover I am constantly having the conversation around why we should be planting plants that grow higher than 1m

A lot of people believe that having any size tree on their property will lead to mass destruction especially when it rains.

Did you know that after a storm, councils typically see a spike in requests for tree removals – even for perfectly healthy trees.

Firstly we need to understand that trees falling over or losing limbs is an exception even during storms and high winds.

If trees do fall it is more likely due to improper tree management or wrong choice of tree originally. Basically it’s not the trees fault its ours. We need to start taking some responsibility and change the conversation.

I recently read an article on How to Prevent Trees Falling during storms.

Click here for the full article

The author of the article explains that removal of trees is not the answer as trees help us cope with storms and other extreme weather. “Removing all trees around a building can cause wind speeds to double, which puts roofs, buildings and lives at greater risk. Removing trees from steep slopes can cause the land to become unstable and more prone to landslides. And of course, trees keep us cooler during summer heatwaves.”

We need trees. We need green urban jungles not concrete ones.

In an blog I wrote a while ago I explained that we NEED plants and trees around our homes. You can read it here They makes us happier and healthier. They improve our house value. They make neighbourhoods safer. They can even reduce our bills ….

Not planting trees is not the answer. Instead, we must learn how to better manage and live with them. Trees are worth the trouble.

Get correct advice on what trees to plant. Google may have an answer for everything but it may not be correct for your situation. Follow LOCAL qualified horticulturists, visit LOCAL garden centres.

I understand trimming occasionally, fertilising, mulching and watering is a hassle for some. I get it. I hate cooking every night and then cleaning up afterwards. Gardening can be a chore for some, like cooking is a chore for me.
Outsource it.
Hire a QUALIFIED craft gardener.

We need to start changing the conversation.
We need to start asking
Why don’t you have a garden?
Who is your gardener?
What is that beautiful shade tree?

Honey

We all know bees are crucial for pollination and food production, but there’s another incredible gift they give us: Honey.

I was lucky enough to grow up with grandparents and an uncle who kept beehives. Thanks to them, I learnt early on that bees weren’t something to fear, and that fresh honeycomb is one of life’s greatest gifts.

In fact, it wasn’t until I moved out of home and tried store-bought honey that I was genuinely surprised by what other people HAD to eat. Not only did it taste very different (like terrible), but it never crystallised. Not once.

If you've only ever had supermarket honey (even if it’s labelled ‘organic’), you might think honey is always a golden, runny liquid. But raw, real honey, the kind that comes straight from the hive, does crystallise, harden. And that’s completely normal.

Honey naturally contains two main sugars: glucose and fructose. The ratio of these sugars depends on the flowers the bees have been foraging on. The higher the glucose, the faster the honey will crystallise. Even though honey is low in water (usually under 18%), some of that water separates from the glucose over time. As glucose loses water, it starts to form crystals. Once one crystal forms, more will follow, and soon the whole jar of honey is set hard or crystallised. If there’s pollen, propolis, or wax in the honey, which there always is in raw, real, honey, these particles act as anchors that help crystals grow.

So if your honey goes hard or crystallised, that means you have real honey. If you want to return it to liquid form, just pop the jar in a sunny spot or sit it in warm (not boiling) water.

Why Doesn’t Store-Bought Honey Crystallise?

There are a few reasons. Most commercial honey is blended, meaning it’s mixed from multiple sources, usually from all over the world, usually from unspecified sources. It includes honey from bees feeding on a wide range of flowers, the glucose-to-fructose ratio becomes more balanced, slowing crystallisation. Blending also smooths out seasonal flavour changes, which might be good for consistency, but not for character. The biggest change happens during processing. Store-bought honey is ‘almost’ (always) heat-treated (pasteurised) and ultra-filtered. It’s heated to such high temperatures, usually between 60–70°C, that it dissolves any forming crystals and delays crystallisation.

This process comes at a cost.

Heating honey destroys many (all) of the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and aromatic compounds that give honey its character, complexity, and health benefits. The delicate floral notes disappear. The living goodness, like the antibacterial properties, immune support, and soothing effects, is gone. What’s left is a product that looks the part but lacks the soul.

In all cases, commercial honey is also diluted with glucose syrup or other sugar-based additives to bulk it out, which further reduces crystallisation and alters the taste.

The end result? A smooth, syrupy product that’s stable on the shelf but a far cry from what comes out of a hive.

Taste the Flowers

My grandfather’s honey never tasted the same twice. Each season, the flavour shifted with the flowers. When the tea trees (Leptospermum) were blooming, the honey was dark, bold, and almost medicinal (disgusting). When the ironbarks flowered, it became light, floral, and delicate (delectable).

As with most foods, unprocessed is best. Raw honey not only tastes better, but it also contains more beneficial enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants. Buying local honey from trusted beekeepers supports small producers and helps protect healthy bee populations in your area. So, please stop buying honey from the supermarket.

Now that you know what’s really in most supermarket Sugar Syrups, because let’s be honest, it’s not real honey, don’t pretend it’s the same thing. If it’s been heat-treated, filtered, blended, or cut with glucose syrup, it’s not real honey. It’s just a sweet imitation.

When you buy that kind of product, you’re not supporting beekeepers. You’re supporting a system that values shelf life and profitability over bee health and ultimately our health.

Choose better. Support real honey.

Green Space, Is it Needed?

I love immersing myself in nature. When I moved into my current house it was all lawn and unfortunately, it still pretty much is. I’ve got a vegetable patch, compost heap and a lot of plans. Although I’ve even gotten as far as making some gardens and ordering plants, I have yet to plant. It’s coming but unfortunately it all takes time. Something I seem to be lacking.

As my garden is a little lacking at the moment, I love it when I go for long drives and can surround myself with bushland and beautiful old homes with established gardens. It pains me greatly when beautiful bushland is destroyed by plantless housing communities.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problems with development and growth and I realise that clearing bushland is a necessary part of this growth and development. What hurts me though is the seemingly lack of future green growth planning for these new communities.

Most new housing blocks have a very small green space available.  Unfortunately, for new owners this green space can be hard to develop into a flourishing space, due to the ‘builder’s rubble soil’.  Couple this with time poor self-confessed brown thumbs, the small green space suddenly becomes a huge paved outdoor area, without a green leaf to be seen.

But that’s ok, because apparently these new housing communities take this into consideration and have beautifully landscaped public spaces with large established trees easily accessible by all?

Don’t they? 

Did you know in many areas of Australia (surrounding major cities) it can take over 30mins to walk to a green space? How many of you would walk 30mins just to sit under some trees, or to take your shoes off and feel green grass? We are time poor remember!

So suddenly in a short space of time, our bushland has been turned into a concrete urban jungle without a great deal of new or established greenery. But should we really care? Do we really need green spaces?

We all know that in nature, fauna needs flora and vice versa. All our wildlife needs a food source, so if we want the birds and the bees, then we need to offer them homes and food.

But do WE really need it.

Can’t we just go on living in our concrete urban jungles and working in our plantless offices?

Put simply NO.

Did you know that offices with no plants increase stress and negativity by up to 40% and having indoor plants alone can help relieve stress and reduce negative mood states by up to 60%.

That’s just inside. Imagine if you could surround your home with plants. Imagine how happy we could all be. 

Plants don’t just make us happy.

Well-tendered public and private green spaces improve our fitness and property values.

Spending time in nature can make us mentally, emotionally and physically healthier.

Strategically placed plants can reduce energy bills - Strategically placed trees planted around a home could cut your summer air conditioning costs by up to 50  percent (according to a council in California).

By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power plants. Trees also help us reduce our rates through less road repairs due to heat stress.

Neighbourhoods become safer, barren neighbourhoods have shown to have a greater incidence of violence than their greener counterparts. Trees and healthy urban landscaping encourage people to spend more times outside socialising and also have a therapeutic effect, which overall reduces the level of fear people have for their neighbours.

We need to start implementing forward-thinking council plans for homeowners and public spaces. We need to be continually educated, to create a future of green urban jungles, not concrete ones.

Let Nature Reclaim You

I found this amazing piece of art called "IT WILL BE OURS".

It was created by Ransom & Mitchell and was inspired by Jonas Salk's quote, "If all the insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all life on earth would end. If all human beings disappeared from the earth, within 50 years all forms of life would flourish."

Ransom & Mitchell “It Will Be Ours”

Why, oh why, does Nature need to reclaim us?

Spending time in nature can make us mentally, emotionally and physically healthier. During times of high stress, being outside can greatly relieve feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. When combined, sun, rain, soil and provide us with a kind of happiness bubble.

In fact, the 2013 World Happiness Report stated that one in ten people suffer from mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is believed the practice of shinrin-yoku, a Japanese term that means forest bathing, has the power to counter depression, anxiety and stress as well as illnesses including cancer, strokes and gastric ulcers. It is also believed that over time, it boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure and aids sleep.

RMIT University also investigated direct mental health benefits of plants, such as improved mood and concentration, and indirect benefits, such as productivity and positive social behaviour!

They found that with indoor plants there is very little wellbeing benefit in just one plant, but once you start to create a "look" in your space, wellbeing begins to increase significantly.

What's more, complexity matters. The greater the mix of sizes and varietals, the greater the benefits.... see there is a reason we need to create an indoor jungle, one is not enough!

In outdoor spaces such as yards and courtyards, plants have limited ability to improve air quality. However, a good array of plants will still improve wellbeing significantly. Hospitals are now adopting and designing ‘healing gardens’ as a way to offer a space of solitude for their patients to find refuge, putting into practice the research that shows being around nature can help speed up a healing process, with less pain experienced and shorter hospital stays.

We can all harness the magic of plants by creating our own green space, which is why it is so important to take the time to sit with and be in nature.

Are you creating a happiness bubble for yourself and your children?

Are you letting nature reclaim you?

Gardening Advice, who you ask is Important!

I was horrified the other day to hear this story…

A customer was in the greenlife section of a big box store when she overheard a staff member recommending a particular potting mix. Curious because all gardeners want to know what they could be doing better, she moved closer to hear more.

What she discovered was shocking: the staff member was recommending a product she recognised immediately as composted fertiliser, not a potting mix at all.

The bag even clearly stated, in bold print: "THIS IS NOT A POTTING MIX."

These first-time gardeners walked away with three bags of the wrong product and a handful of plants. Unknowingly setting themselves up for heartbreak. Their plants were unlikely to survive, and worse, they’d probably blame themselves when it all went wrong.

This is the real danger of bad advice.

When a plant fails, people get discouraged. They feel like they’ve wasted their time, energy, and money. Many give up on gardening altogether, thinking they were the problem, when in reality, it was simply the wrong product for the job.

The right advice makes all the difference.

And the best place to get it?

A business that actually specialises in gardening.

Garden centres are home to qualified, experienced horticulturists. People who don’t just sell plants, but understand them. We’re locals too, which means we’ve battled the same clay soils, the same hot summers, the same tricky planting spots. We don’t just sympathise, we’ve been there.

Our goal is to help you through your gardening challenges, take away the confusion, and bring back the joy of growing. For most of us, this isn’t just a job. It’s a lifelong passion.

Here at Trevallan Lifestyle Centre, between Carolyn and myself, we bring over 50 years of hands-on gardening and horticultural experience to the table.

We work hard to stay current, not just with what looks good, but with what actually works. That means staying on top of:

• Changes in product formulations

• Plant performance in our climate

• Emerging industry trends

• Environmental challenges

We attend supplier sessions, horticultural expos and conferences, and regularly read industry journals and research papers. I’m also a proud member of the Horticultural Media Association, which helps keep us connected and accountable as professionals in this trade.

At Trevallan, we’ve learned that we don’t need a thousand gardening items on the shelves. We only stock what we use ourselves. The tools, products, and plants we know work. It’s all about keeping things simple, effective, and grounded in experience.

We also run a number of horticultural workshops and masterclasses throughout the year, because we believe gardens are investments and to make sure that investment thrives, you need access to honest, down-to-earth, professional advice.

So next time you’re ready to improve your plant-life balance and give your space a little TLC, visit the real gardening experts at Trevallan Lifestyle Centre, your local garden centre.

Got Milk

Why is it so hard just to buy milk? You all know the advertisements on TV with the guy who just wants milk, but the shop assistant rattles off about twenty different choices. All he wants is milk that tastes like milk! In the end the relief on his face when the shop assistant just gives him what he wants is priceless.

I’m not a huge fan of being overloaded on choice. Electronic equipment, like computers and their programs, is one area where I’d prefer there to be just the one option! I’m not a person that likes to spend hours trolling the internet and magazines looking for the best computer program for my needs. I appreciate going to a specialist computer shop, talking to an expert and let them recommend me the best program for my needs.

I feel the same about gardening. Gardening shouldn’t be hard – back breaking maybe, but not hard. Getting good gardening advice shouldn’t be confusing either. If you have a problem with your plants, need some general gardening advice or even just need to buy a living gift, I recommend you go to a specialist garden centre, as they have expert staff on hand at all times and are alway willing and ready to help.

Have you ever been confused and overloaded by the choice of gardening products on the market? I know I am sometimes. I often wonder just how many versions of trace element mix can there be and it feels like every gardening magazine, lifestyle show and the guy next door, all have their favourite gardening tips.

If confusion and not very ‘good tips and helpful hints’ have prevented you from enjoying the great outdoors, it’s time to take control and visit an expert – your local garden centre, like Trevallan Lifestyle Centre.

Local garden centre staff are gardening experts – they listen to your needs and recommend the right product, without the need to sell a plethora of brands. You don’t need to know that there are ten products on the market that kill slugs, but are safe for dogs. You just need one and one that works. So a garden centre and their expert staff need only stock the one brand that they perceive is the best. However, in some cases, a small range of similar products (for example potting mixes), are necessary as people’s needs are different. In this case, the garden centre experts should then be able to inform you of the differences and recommend the best one suited to your needs.

Your local garden centre is not only staffed by local experts, who have all suffered the same gardening problems that you are currently suffering. Garden centre staff enjoy helping you through your gardening problems, removing any confusion and reinvigorating your joy of gardening.

So next time you decide to improve your plant life balance and give your garden some TLC, make sure you visit the gardening experts - Trevallan Lifestyle Centre - your local garden centre.