The Spittlebug

Check this out looks like someone spat all over my Daintree Pine.

It’s not someone being disgusting.

It’s an insect, well a nymph really (a nymph is the immature form of an insect).

This is the Spittlebug nymph.

The nymph produces 'spittle' clinging on the stems of shrubs or small trees.

They prefer pine like trees.

The nymph lives immersed in masses of the spit like liquid. It is believed that this will reduce the risk of dehydration and to deter parasites.

The adults are excellent jumpers and are sometimes called frog hoppers. Supposedly their faces look like frogs but at 0.5cm long I have no idea how one makes that judgement call! They insert their needle like stylets into the plant tissue to feed. They are sapsuckers which feed on the leaves, twigs, branches and/or trunk of the host trees.

There are around 230000 species of spittlebug (mind just blown). I have no idea which one I have as mine are still in baby spit stage!

They say when the spittlebug is in spit form they cause no real damage (unless you have a huge infestation). Simply putting your hose on high pressure and blasting them off is enough. If you need to spray an organic spray like eco oil or neem oil would work but you would need a few applications.

I like to mix my neem oil with Triple Boost and give the plants a feed at same time. I find insect infestations are usually a sign of a weak plant.

So have you ever seen a spittlebug in your garden?

Zygo Cactus

Sometimes botanical names just make me feel like my tongue is permanently tied and afterwards I just want to have a giggle at how ridiculous I sound.

Saying Schlumbergera is one of those times.

I'm sure most of you know Schlumbergeras as they are commonly called Zygocactus (which was their former botanical name), Christmas Cactus, Holiday Cactus and Easter Cactus.

It's funny how northern hemisphere common names are still used here in the southern hemisphere. I quite often get people asking for Christmas Cactus around April, May as Schlumbergeras flower in the cooler months. The northern hemisphere have Christmas in the cooler months hence Christmas Cactus. In the Southern hemisphere we refer to these plants as Easter Cactus as they are usually flowering around our Easter.

Schlumbergeras were named after Frédéric Schlumberger, a French collector of cacti. When we think of cacti we oftemn imagine a cacti in the desert, these plants are not desert plants.

Schlumbergeras are epiphytes - plants which depend on others for support, but not nutrition - from the jungles of southeast Brazil, a humid area with high rainfall. These plants have flattened spineless, pendulous branches with prominent notches at the margins.

The flowers are asymmetrical in shape and appear at the stem tips. Their flowers are described as inflorescence. Inflorescence refers to a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. The flowers were originally shades of pink but thanks to breeding programs all over the world, the flower colours now range from pink, lavenders and reds through to oranges, yellows and whites.

Like all epiphytes, Schlumbergeras need excellent drainage and do not grow well in heavy garden soil or potting mix. Some people like to use orchid mix; some cacti mix. I like using an excellent quality potting mix like Searles Platinum Mix and just not watering them as much. If planting in the ground, I do add a bit of orchid mix to the soil when planting.

I fertilise them about three times a year with Organic Link slow release fertiliser and use Triple Boost liquid fertiliser about once a fortnight when they are in flower.

While Schlumbergeras can grow in the sun, I think they look superb in the shade. There is a school of thought that believes Schlumbergeras flower in response to shortening day length and that they are so sensitive that their normal flowering can be upset if they are grown in an area which is lit up at night, for example on a balcony near a street lamp or outside light. I'm not sure I completely believe this as I'm assuming the Brazilian rainforest wouldn't be exceptionally bright at the best of times. Other schools of thought believe the flowers are triggered to bloom near the beginning of the rainy season while others bloom near the end of the heavy rain. I think it could be a little of both.

Since we can't replicate Mother Nature, I usually fertilise, water and make sure my night light is turned off and hope for the best!

Making Offices Green

Beautify the Inside

Over the years there has been a great deal of research into not only how being outdoors improves your life, but also how being surrounded by green living plants inside improves your life, health, brain functioning and even your bank balance.  (Check out Plant Life Balance website for more details)

Plants aren't a luxury they are a necessity, however, sometimes it’s challenging to keep indoor plants thriving especially in our offices.

Why? Well, more often than not we are faced with problems such as no natural light, air conditioning and an inability to regularly water to plants due to over-watering resulting in wet desks.

At Trevallan, we are trying to come up with ways to make indoor plants easy but still really pretty using a range of planters, terrariums, kokedamas and even plants in bowls.

When we grow plants indoors, we have to realise that sometimes it's about giving up on our perfect plant to have an amazing plant that looks good all the time. Some plants are better suited to indoors and sometimes a really ‘boring’ plant can be made to look amazing in the right container!

Some of the Ways Trevallan is Bringing Plant Life Balance to your Workplace!

Planters

I have found that using planters (pots without holes) has been my saving grace.

I used to under water and ultimately kill my indoor plants as I was worried about water going all over my furniture.

Planters have no hole in the bottom. I just place my plant in the planter (I do not pot). I then can give my plant a really good drink, without the hassle of worrying about water going everywhere.

If by chance I decide I don't like that plant, or want to swap my plants around, I simply remove the plant from the planter. This way I am always keeping my décor the same (by keeping the same planter), but can switch my plants around and create an entirely new look.

It can take a while to get used to watering with a planter, but before you know it, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them.

Terrariums

I love the meaning of Terrarium - a sealed transparent globe or similar container in which plants are grown! You cant get any more exact than that.

What a lovely idea to have a mini landscape sitting on our desks that only requires a small drink once every few months, in a closed terrarium or every few weeks, in an open terrarium.

I love staring at terrariums and seeing the mosses grow and the plants changing. The maintenance is minimal, but therapeutic, as its a delicate process.

Open Terrariums or Plants in Bowls are great too, if you want your plants to grow out of your jar. In an Open Terrarium, the plants are planted in glass jars or a decorative bowl. Instead of the plant being inside the container, as they would in a terrarium, they actually come up out of the container.  Even better, there is no need to worry about water leaking everywhere as the containers are sealed. Water them as you would a terrarium (at least once a week). When planting an Open Terrarium, follow the same guidelines as when planting a Closed Terrarium, just be sure to pack out the bowl with sphagnum moss.

Kokedamas

Kokedama is a style of Japanese bonsai. It is made by binding the plants root ball with a unique soil mixture, sphagnum moss and string.

Kokedamas are usually seen hanging from ceilings, or specially made stands. Personally, I like to put them in a bowl as this way I can just fill the bowl with some water and the plant can slowly soak up the moisture as it needs. I have tried numerous indoor plants with Kokedamas and they all work really well. Furthermore, these plants can be a real talking point in your office.

Crystal Planters

The beauty and power of crystals has been long recognised with healers, shamans and priests using crystals for their unique and special properties. It is widely believed crystals vibrate at the same pitch as humans - such that the resonance between the stone and the human either combats the vibration of the illness or amplifies that of health!

There are thousands of different crystals on the planet.

Many crystals would be useful in the office, especially ones that amplify harmony, resolve conflict or even attract sales! Some people may think you are a little kooky if you start having crystal grids on your desk, so Trevallan has come up with an idea to have these crystals in your workspace, without others even realising.

Planted Crystals

Very cleverly, we have planted plants into crystals that we think would be most beneficial to have in your office. All you need to do is keep the moss wet and you should start to notice the difference straight away!

You could also place some of your crystals on top of your plants soil. This keeps them earthed and cleansed, not to mention that it also looks really pretty! For some ideas on what crystals are best for your office click here. 

Want to improve your plant life balance or maybe someone else's? The Trevallan ladies are here to help. Not only can we can help you decide on the right plant, but we also provide a local delivery service straight to your office on Fridays.

Crystals for the Office

The beauty and power of crystals has been long recognised with healers, shamans and priests using these beautiful rocks for their unique and special properties.

It is widely believed crystals vibrate at the same pitch as humans - such that the resonance between the stone and the human either combats the vibration of the illness or amplifies that of health!

There are thousands of different crystals on the planet.

Many crystals would be useful in the office especially ones that amplify harmony or resolve conflict or even attract sales!

These are just a few that I have found would be useful.

Amethyst

Amethyst can help protect your energy and office space from negativity.

It can help you find and access your truth, connect with your Higher Self, and then can help dissipate the fear that can go with sharing your wisdom.

Citrine

Golden yellow Citrine is an abundance stone. Its colour invokes happiness, joy and optimism. A stone of success Citrine inspires wisdom, cleanses energy and reverses damaging behaviour. Yellow links with the solar plexus chakra the centre for self-esteem, fearlessness and empowerment and self-confidence. It is believed that it can draw good things to you - Powerfully energizes and attracts supportive friends and mentors. Lorelle from Dimensional Chakras talks more about Citrine here

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz arouses and opens the heart to all forms of love and compassion for self and others.

Powerfully energizes and attracts supportive friends and mentors.

Pink infuses your soul with unconditional love, opening your heart to receive the call to follow your dreams and fulfill your purpose.

Sodalite

Sodalite is a clearing stone.

Place next to a computer to help cleanse electromagnetic energy.

It helps keep communication clear and concise. It will help bring an end to disagreements and supports honest expression.

Inspires understanding of problems by promoting inner knowing and self-examination

The colour blue helps access and share truth through the feelings, increasing confidence, self-esteem and trust.

Clear Quartz Crystal

Clear Quartz Crystal is a stone of power. It's a MASTER HEALER that amplifies other stones and intentions. Quartz amplifies the psychic expressions of hearing, seeing and inspirational speaking. It can helps cleanse the auric field and bring peace and harmony.

Fluorite

Fluorite is a stone of mental order and clarity.

It is used to enhance mental clarity and reduce instability and disorder.

This brings a wiser, more balanced view of life and improves decision making.

These traits enable one to manifest ideas and bring plans to fruition.

Fluorite can remove confusion and mental "fog" to create order and harmony in life.

At Trevallan we have beautifully presented planted crystals that you can put on your office desk or you could buy some tumble stones and place them on the top of your office pot plants. Believe or not believe in the power of crystals? Why not give it a go, at the very least it will pretty up your office space and that in itself will change the energy of your workplace!

Growing Spring Flowering Bulbs in South East Queensland

Ranunculus flowers almost look too good to be real. These are an easy to grow Spring Bulb

Bulbs, corms and tubers are all sometimes erroneously referred to as bulbs. The technical term for plants that form underground storage organs is geophyte. All these types of plants cycle through vegetative and reproductive growth stages; the bulb grows to flowering size during the vegetative stage and the plant flowers during the reproductive stage.

These plants need certain conditions to trigger the transition from one stage to the next, such as the shift from a cold winter to warm spring.

Due to the bulb, corm or tuber being a storage device, these plants can also survive adverse conditions such as cold, excessive heat, lack of light or drought.

The foliage of these plants absorb nutrients from the soil and energy from the sun for setting flowers for the next year.  After the foliage period is complete, bulbs can be dug up for replanting elsewhere.  

I just love the idea of my garden bursting with colour and scent in the Spring, like they do down south or overseas, but sadly, Spring flowering bulbs in South East Queensland just don’t really live up to the expectation.

Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium

Don’t despair though, we can still plant some beautiful bulbs, corms, and tubers, we just have to accept that our choices are different to the southern states. We can still grow tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, ranunculus and anemone here in South East Queensland. It's just they will never grow like they do down south or in Europe. They usually only flower for just one season and we treat them the same as other flowering annuals such as marigolds, pansies or petunias.

If you want bulbs that will naturalise and come up year after year in your garden and pots, you can happily choose bulbs such as Freesias, Ixia, Sparaxis, Jonquils, Babiana, Tritonia, Leucojum aestivum, Eucharis, Sprekelia, Zephyranthes, Rex Begionas or Proiphys cunninghamii (Brisbane Lily). Don't forget we also have some great summer bulbs/corms/tubers like Hippeastrums, Scadoxus, Haemanthus, Caladiums and ornamental Gingers. We are slowly building up our bulb collection here at Trevallan… SHOP BULBS HERE

When I am looking for new bulbs to plant out, I like to look for flowering bulbs native to South Africa, as I find these do a lot better in South East Queensland.

In my quest to achieve a garden that comes alive with flowering bulbs, I asked Claire Bickle from Gardening for the GoodLife to give me a few tips on how to achieve this daunting task!

Claire Bickle's Tips for Growing Bulbs

• Place larger bulbs, such as jonquils, hyacinths, daffodils and tulips in a paper bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge for 4-6 weeks before planting. This gives them the chill down they would not otherwise receive in our mild autumns.

• Ranunculus corms are best spread out on a thick wad of wet newspaper and covered with another reasonably damp wad overnight before planting the next day. This helps the corms to swell and get ready for shooting once planted.

• If growing in pots, use a good quality potting mix and ensure the pots have good drainage. Shallow pots work quite well too and remember some bulbs can be planted closely together.

• You can fertilise the soil with Organic Link when planting, but there is no need to start fertilising with liquid fertiliser until they have some growth. Then I alternate fortnightly feeds between Triple Boost and Potash and Silica.

• When the bulbs have finished flowering, don’t be tempted to cut all the foliage off. Leave it to die down naturally, as this is how the bulb draws back in all it’s nutrients to store away until the next season.

A range of spring flowering bulbs

I am very excited - the bulb garden of my dreams may just be achievable if I change the way I view my end goal. This year I've bought myself a mixture of bulbs like Gladiolus, Iris, Jonquils and Ranunculus and I have interplanted them amongst my annuals like poppies, pansies and lobelia. I can't wait to try out Claire's tips and see what comes up this and hopefully, next year. One thing about gardening which is for sure though is that it's never the same!

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are traditionally given at Mother’s Day as they flower profusely during autumn and they contain the word mum!

I have found for some strange reason people tend to shy away from having Chrysanthemums in their garden. Maybe they are just too common?

Chrysanthemums are one of the easiest plants to grow and are perfect for green or brown fingered gardeners!

I find these brilliantly flowering plants are one of the best for gardens in the full sun.

They are so many varieties of chrysanthemums available today, one to suit every garden. The US National Chrysanthemum Society has derived that there are 13 different types of flower forms. Then there are the colours, I think every year they get more exquisite. There are single coloured and multi-coloured blooms ranging in colour from pure white to all shades of yellow, reds and purples.

Chrysanthemums are one of the easiest plants to grow and are perfect for green or brown fingered gardeners! Chrysanthemums have long lasting flowers and are relatively pest and disease free. This makes them perfect for everyone as this enables us to enjoy these plants hassle free for many years to come.

Potted chrysanthemums can flower for several weeks indoors but thrive best if placed in full sun. They can be grown in pots or in the garden. To keep them looking fantastic and to promote more flowers, remove all spent flowers and discoloured leaves and liquid fertilised fortnightly.

After flowering chrysanthemums should be cut back to about 15cm (6") high and given Organic Link fertiliser. They will usually flower again in about two months.

Chrysanthemums aren’t just the perfect idea to brighten up one's garden.

They can be used in cooking and teas. NASA Clean Air Study also found chrysanthemum plants can reduce indoor air pollution. Extracts of chrysanthemum plants have been shown to have a wide variety of potential medicinal properties, including anti-HIV-1, antibacterial and antimycotic.

Pyrethrum a well-known insecticide is also derived from chrysanthemums.

This Autumn don’t stress about finding a beautiful, versatile, easy care plant - just buy a Chrysanthemum!

Kalanchoe

With the onset of winter, we all need a kick start to get out in the garden. Nothing kick starts you like the vibrant shades of the Kalanchoe and these hardy plants are perfect for giving your garden some TLC during winter.

Kalanchoes are one of the prettiest bushy succulents. They belong to the stonecrop (Crassulaceae) family, which is the same family as the Jade plant or money tree.  Kalanchoes are the ultimate winter plant whether it is for your garden or pots.

These glorious plants flower from June through to September, sometimes even longer. Kalanchoe flowers are best described as masses of small bouquets of starry, four petalled flowers that develop at the end of a stalk. The vivid colour of the flowers - hot pink, bright yellow, brilliant orange and intense red make a dramatic statement during the bleak cold of winter. In the past, the flowers have only been available in single form, but in recent years, a double flowering Kalanchoe has been released and is available in all the vibrant colours, hot pink being my favourite.

Kalanchoes have a compact habit and their leaves are oval with scalloped edges. They usually have lush green foliage, but some varieties have grey leaves, which can actually add a lovely contrast to a dull spot in your garden, or brighten a boring pot.

Kalanchoes are a succulent that can grow anywhere and are extremely hardy. They don’t mind whether they are grown in full sun or shade, so are perfect for shady balconies or the western side of the house. They don’t mind if they are left inside while they are flowering or if they spend their life outside.  They look magnificent mass planted in the garden, or as a specimen plant in a pot.  They even look fantastic in a hanging basket.

Brown or green fingered, Kalanchoes are sure to survive at your house. These beauties don’t need much water and would much prefer to be dry than wet.  A good watering once or twice a week is all that is needed to keep these plants looking beautiful.  They don’t like to sit in water, so make sure that if planted in a pot, their saucer isn’t constantly full or if in the ground, it is a well-drained area.  Try planting in a clay pot with Searles Platinum potting mix as sometimes roots in plastic pots tend to sweat during the warmer months, which can lead to an untimely death.

Kalanchoes will thrive if Organic Link is used every three months and Triple Boost is applied every two weeks. If by chance insects attack your kalanchoe, trim off the affected foliage and spray with Eco-Oil (organic pesticide) or Neem Oil. Don’t fret though, these plants are tough and should survive even if they are only attended to rarely.

Flowering kalanchoes brighten any cold bleary winter’s day, so give your life and garden some TLC this weekend by getting outside with your morning coffee and enjoying the colours of summer whilst wearing your Ugg boots!

Camellia Sasanqua

Autumn is my favourite season. Cool crisp nights and fresh sunshine days.  The days are shorter but seemed to be filled with achievable goals (maybe because we aren’t sweating by 9am!).  Autumn is also a glorious time of year because one of my favourite plants starts to flower – Camellias.

Don Burke said it best way back in 2002 “Camellias are amongst the world's best flowering plants. They are hardy and disease resistant, most varieties have attractive, glossy green foliage, and they put on their fabulous flower display in the cooler months of the year when the rest of the garden often looks dull and bare”.

Originally from China camellias have taken well to their Australian home. I have four favourite types of camellias - sasanquas, japonicas, reticulates and hybrids.

Sasanquas are the TLC my autumn garden needs. They seem to burst into life, brightening up sun and shade spots alike with their elegant sometimes fragrant blooms. Of course these plants are still handsome at other times of the year, with their deep green, glossy leaves, and graceful habit. Sasanquas are a versatile shrub with a variety of uses. They are great as a hedge, look fantastic espaliered against a fence, perfect as a statement in a pot or garden and can even be used as bonsai.

Camellia Sasanqua Flower

Camellia sasanquas flower in abundance from March through August with much of the shrub being covered with their striking coloured flowers. These flowers are mostly singles or semi-doubles and range in colour from white through to deep pinks and reds.  All the flowers have brilliant yellow stamens that the Australian native bees find delicious!

Some of the sasanquas even have a delightful fragrance that gently wafts through the air tickling your senses and leaves you wanting more. To promote this profusion of flowers and good growth, fertilising with Organic Link should be done at least twice a year, just before flowering and just after. I also like to give my Camellia sasanquas a granular dose of sulphate of potash around February to help promote flowers. If you find you are a little late this year you can just start liquid fertilising with Silica and Potash, every fortnight to help promote blooms. During their flowering season I liquid Plant Care them on a regular basis to keep them healthy while in bloom. About once a year usually around the end of February I add a little bit of Dolomite to the soil around my camellias. Camellias can be prone to calcium deficiency and I find adding a little bit of Dolomite helps with this. If I can’t add Dolomite (or I forget) I try to Liquid Bio Trace my Camellias at least twice a year.

Sasanquas also possesses the distinct advantage of tolerating both full sun and partial shade. These are the perfect plant for your south facing garden or patio. As long as they are planted into good quality potting mix or garden soil and mulched correctly sasanquas are one of the most robust drought tolerant plants around.

Camellias in Ipswich are considered to be relatively slow growing; as a result they are quite happy to stay in a pot.

This is also why they make an excellent hedge – with little effort they can easily be trained to grow thick and neat, they really only need to be pruned once a year after flowering.

There are over 1000 named varieties of Camellia sasanquas, so this diverse group of flowering shrubs should fulfil a range of needs and colour schemes in everyone’s garden. Give your shady or sunny garden spots some TLC this weekend with the hardy Camellia sasanqua.

Pretty Pots

Snapdragon Double Mix

  Wonderful warm days, cool nights. I can not express how much I love autumn.

This is usually the time I up end all my all drab/dead pots that lost their lust for life around the same time temperatures hit forty and I got caught up in the school routine.

I usually just throw the dead plants out and throw the soil from the pots if it’s old on the lawn as a quick top dressing.

I love grouping my terracotta pots. Before I even start to plant I work out which pots I want to use and usually have grouping of three or four all different sized and shaped terracotta pots. I also work out where I’m putting my pots and does that area get all day sun, some shade and sun or all day shade.

Next I get my potting mix. I always use, what is in my eyes, the best quality potting mix – Searles Platinum Potting Mix 30Lt. I find that if I give my plants the best possible start in life they are more likely to flourish with little input from me.  I use Peat 80 for everything in pots whether its roses, vegetables, azaleas or flowering annuals

Pansy Mixed

Plants in pots do need a little bit more care and attention than plants in the ground. I try to give my pots a complete organic slow release fertiliser with Organic Link every three months and I alternate my liquid fertilisers fortnightly. I use Triple Boost and Silica and Potash.  I am sometimes a bit forgetful with the liquid fertilising but I have realised that if I want my potted plants to stand out and look really amazing once a fortnight is best.

Next it’s time to choose the plants.

The best thing about this time of year is that I can start filling all my empty pots with winter flowering annuals like pansies, tall snap dragons, primula and violas! Plus all year round annuals like lobelia and asylum.

I’m not usually an annual person. It’s not that annuals are that much work, it’s just I’m too much of an impatient gardener to wait for the seedlings to grow into plants and flower! But I just love the cooler flowering annuals.

Viola Mixed

Some of you may be wondering what an annual is.

Annuals are a range of plants that usually flower and grow for one season, many do grow for longer. Winter flowering annuals such as pansies and violas will usually only grow in Ipswich during the cooler months by the time Christmas is here they have completely died off.

I may only get five months of winter annual joy but how could I not love the bright infusion of colour these wonderful plants can bring?

The best thing about winter annuals is that many of them are perfect for cut flowers. Snapdragons and stocks can last for a couple of weeks inside in a vase.

This weekend get outside, get dirty and breathe back some life into your old pots.

Kokedama

Viola hederacea’s made into kokedamas at Trevallan

Kokedama is a style of Japanese bonsai made by taking a plant out of its pot and turning it into a ball held together with a unique soil mixture, moss and string.

Trevallan's Kokedamas can be hung outside in full or part shade, and some are perfectly suited to indoors.

Trevallan stocks a range of  Kokedamas, such as Native Violets, Ficus Pimula, Parlour Palm, Brazilian Walking Iris, Ficus Fiddle Leaf and Anthuriums .

How to look after me

When the sphagnum moss feels dry to touch and the ball is light, I soak them in a bucket of water for about ten minutes. If it’s really hot, you may need to do this more than once a week. If it’s cold, you may only have to do it once a fortnight.

Alternatively, similar to your other plants, you can just water them with a hose or watering can.

If my Kokedamas are inside, I like to sit them in a bowl and top the bowl up with water.

Where to put me

Trevallan's kokedama

Some of Trevallan's Kokedamas come with their own hanger. These can be hung outside in shade or part shade, maybe under a tree or on your patio. They look fantastic as a group.

Some Kokedamas are perfectly suited to indoors and can be hung from the ceiling, or Trevallan's handmade Timber Kokedama Stand.

If hanging isn’t an option, you can sit your Kokedama on a plate or in a bowl. The sphagnum moss will be wet most of the time, so be sure to protect your furniture.

Kokedama’s are definitely worth trying - remember, not every plant needs to be potted!

Are your Chakras out of Balance?

How do we know if our Chakras are out of balance?

Perfect Potion have a checklist to help us determine which chakras are out of balance.

Answering yes to four or more questions associated with a chakra indicates an imbalance.

Base Chakra

Do you feel disassociated from your body?

Are you overweight?

Are you underweight?

Do you have a weak physical constitution?

Does life on earth feel like a burden?

Are you fearful?

Are you disorganised?

Are you possessive and/or materialistic?

Are you worried about financial security?

Are you accident prone?

Sacral Chakra

Do you suppress your sexual desires?

Do you have a negative attitude about sex?

Does sexuality make you nervous?

Do you lack the passion or excitement about life?

Are you emotionally dependent?

Does your creativity feel blocked?

Do you feel guilty?

Are you afraid of making a commitment?

Are you obsessed with sexual thoughts or feelings?

Solar Plexus Chakra

Do you have low energy?

Do you have low self esteem?

Are you weak willed?

Are you easily upset or discouraged?

Do you feel ashamed of who you are?

Are you unreliable?

Are you manipulative and controlling?

Are you unable to relax?

Do you have temper outbursts?

Are you stubborn?

Are you prone to digestive problems?

Do you always like to be in control?

Are you afraid of rejection?

Heart Chakra

Are you anti social?

Are you tolerant of others?

Do you have a fear of intimacy?

Are you overly sensitive?

Are you depressed?

Are you experiencing grief?

Are you indifferent?

Do you have a jealous nature?

Do you have difficulty breathing?

Do you take care of others but not yourself?

Throat Chakra

Do you have a fear of speaking?

Do you have a weak voice?

Are you unable to express your true feelings?

Are you shy or withdrawn?

Do you speak harshly to others?

Do you talk too much?

Do you tell lies?

Are you unable to listen to others?

Do you frequently have a sore throat?

Do you feel you have nothing worth saying?

Do you clench your jaw or grind your teeth?

Third Eye Chakra

Are you out of touch with reality?

Do you have a poor memory?

Are you forgetful?

Do you feel confused?

Do you have impaired vision?

Do you have difficulty in concentrating?

Do you have nightmares?

Do you often misunderstand situations?

Do you have frequent headaches?

Are you over-analytical?

Do you doubt your intuition?

Crown Chakra

Are you apathetic?

Do you feel lonely or isolated?

Do you feel you have no purpose in life?

Are you afraid of dying?

Does life seem senseless?

Are you over attached to your belongings or relationships?

Do you have an addictive relationship with spirituality?

Do you search for answers outside yourself?

After reading this, you (like me) may feel that more than one chakra is imbalanced or blocked. This is because when one is blocked, the other chakras begin to compensate and either become overactive or under-active.

The best way to start is to acknowledge the first chakra that is out of balance, then check out our guide to balancing your chakras. Another way to Balance your Chakras is to have a Chakra Balance session with Lorelle from Dimensional Healing. You can book one here

Spring is Here. What do I Plant?

Jasmine polyanthum

Few vines rival Jasmine polyanthum for beauty and fragrance. This easy-to-grow climber produces beautiful clusters of starry flowers you can smell from miles away. Most Jasmine polyanthums bloom in late winter or early spring. We have ours in hanging baskets so no need to worry about stakes for these vigorous climbers.

Waterhouse Unipunctata

You may think that a native tree that has small white flowers is a little unusual to be included in Plants that I love for Spring. Think again! Waterhousea Unipunctata or Roly Poly Satinash has been included because of its long lasting flushes of brilliant red new growth that cover the plant making it stand out amongst the green backdrop of any garden. Plus its flowers and fruit are a delight to the native fauna. It can handle dry conditions and light frosts once established and likes the full sun.

Osteospermum Copper Amethyst

Osteoperums always bring sunshine and brightness to any garden. There is a range of colours now available so you will find one to suit any garden palette.

They are perfect for gardens or pots and will flower continuously through the warmer months.

You can let it ramble through the garden or keep it neat and tidy by giving it a good trim inbetween flowering. Regular deadheading and fortnightly liquid fertilising will encourage new blooms. Flowers will close up every evening and open up again in early morning.

Lavender

How can one not want the beautiful fragrance of Lavender in their garden? Lavenders can be grown in pots or the garden and flower profusely. Plus they look really pretty as cut flowers.

Give the plants a full sun position in a well-drained soil. Do not overwater as lavender dislikes wet feet, prune after flowering to promote compact growth and mulch well. Drought tolerant once established.

There are so many varieties of Lavender available. I have found French to be the longest lasting in our climate but if you want to try something different you could try Lavender ‘Lavish’ the double flowering lavender or Lavender ‘Silver Lining’ which has an almost white foliage.

Petunia Midnight Gold

We are now stocking a great range of trailing perennials in seedlings and pots. Perfect as living mulches or to jazz up full sun hanging baskets. One of my favourites at the moment is the Petunia Midnight Gold. This petunia features huge double blooms that are a lemony yellow around the outside and deep purple black on the inside. It has exceptional branching habit with profuse flowering making this perfect for hanging baskets.

An unconditional love

Spoilt for Choice at Trevallan for chrysanthemums

When I was quite young, I once watched a mum give the last two Tim Tams in a packet to her kids. At the time I thought the woman had gone completely mad - who gives away perfectly good Tim Tams ?

Years later, I came across this quote “A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” As a mother myself, I now understand the crazy lady giving away her Tim Tams (though giving away Tim Tams is still a little crazy)!

As parents, we sometimes forget that we are children too and our mums will always be our mums!

Because we are always children in our mother’s eyes, they have the ability to drive us, as adults, a little insane at times.

Their insanity, so it seems, is not due to old age, it’s just their ability to never stop caring or loving us.

This Mother’s Day, look past your mum’s insane streak and don’t forget all the wonderful Tim Tams and pieces of pie she gave you, and probably is still giving you without you even realising!

Love this beautiful winter flowering plant

Don’t just give her a pot of flowers, give her something that she really wants – time with you.

As a mother of young children, my ideal Mother’s Day would probably be sleeping in a bed without sand, crumbs and/or tiny feet kicking me through the night, to enjoy my morning coffee, without the need to be a climbing frame, not having the Terraria computer game theme song stuck in my head or answering a 1000 questions before 5am, oh and of course a massage and a hair cut.

My mum, on the other hand, would probably appreciate a day of my kids shenanigans, sorry, I mean ah, a day of quality time with my children and myself.

So this Mother’s Day the only answer is - the kids are spending the day at mum’s house, I’ll be supervising! Win, win!

Lavender shades

Seriously though, in today’s world it seems we are spoilt for choice in the present department. Believe it or not, a few years ago, a pot of chrysanthemums was the only choice you had as a gift option for Mother’s Day.

This Mother's Day, Trevallan Lifestyle Centre is overflowing with living flowering gifts. Cyclamens, azaleas, pansies, orchids, kalanchoes, even flowering cactus and of course chrysanthemums, all are in bloom, look fantastic and are easy to care for – even brown thumb mums should enjoy!

With every present you give though, don’t forget to give a little of your time as well.

Our mothers just want the best for us – so ignore the so called mothering insanity and instead, give her a hug and kiss and let you know you love her.

Because while a mother’s love is unconditional, we as children need to reassure them that our love is unconditional too!

What's wrong with my Citrus trees?

Citrus trees are prone to Leaf Curl and Leaf Miner.

Both these problems are mainly caused by insects.

Leaf Curl can be attributed to sap-sucking pests like aphids, mites and psyllids who feed on citrus leaves by extracting the juices directly from transport tissues. As populations grow, they can cause deformations including curling and cupping in leaves, as well as discoloration.

Leaf Miner are another insect, moth larvae. Instead of sap-sucking, moth larvae tunnel through leaf tissues as they grow. These tunnels are highly visible on leaf surfaces, appearing as white or yellow lines.

I find the best way to deal with both of these pests is just trim off the affected leaves. If you wanted to spray BFA certified organic sprays like Eco-oil or Eco-fend would work. I find if I mix a little neem oil with my liquid fertiliser (Plant of Health's Triple Boost) and use it fortnightly it also reduces the harmful insect population. I try to work from a place of prevention is better than cure.

If your plants are badly affected a weekly spray for at least four weeks with Plant Care and Neem Oil, mixed together might be your magic pill! 

Why Neem Oil and Plant Care?

Neem Oil is derived from the Azadirachta indica tree. When applied to insects and the plants they are eating, neem oil causes many insects to feed less, grow more slowly, molt less, and lose interest in laying eggs. Neem also suppresses the hatching of pest insects from their eggs.

Plant Care is like a vitamin pill for plants or when they’re sick or stressed. Plant Care contains natural liquid fish proteins, amino acids, liquid vermicast, fulvic acid, natural growth stimulants as well as a special blend of selected herbs and botanical extracts. Plant Care is a natural, non toxic foliar spray and can be used regularly on all plants, vegetables and lawns without the fear of NPK overload or plant damage.

Drought stress can also lead to leaf curl in citrus and is the easiest to remedy. If leaves begin to curl inward while retaining their green colour and the soil around your tree feels dry to the touch, you’re not watering enough. Step up your watering efforts and applying an organic mulch if you haven't already. If you are watering regularly then a soil wetter may be necessary. Soil Wetters help water and nutrients penetrate into the soil enabling the plants roots to pick up what they need.

Nutrient deficiencies can also lead to leaf curl. Citrus trees are very heavy feeders.

My citrus trees get Organic Link every three months and I try to liquid fertilise them fortnightly. I also like to give my trees a liquid fertilise with a complete trace element mix (I use Plant of Health's Bio-Trace) twice a year as part of my normal fertilising regime.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Martin Luther

I think the world would be a better place if we all took Martin Luther’s advice. We do not know what tomorrow will bring but we do know what we can do today for a better tomorrow!

Get through your Workday with Ease

The work day can be very long sometimes…

It doesn’t matter if you work for someone, are the boss or a student, we are all dealing with constant stress and pressures.

This includes everything from physical and mental stresses, environmental and social stresses, growth and developmental stresses...and that's all in one day.

To help us all cope a little better Trevallan stocks a great range of Perfect Potion products that can be incorporated into your daily ritual.

Clear and Focused Trio of essential oil blends

Stay sharp, motivated and focused in your home or workspace with the energising aromas of Focus, Positive Vibes and Mindfulness essential oil blends. Just add 3 drops of one of the blends into your diffuser and enjoy a boost.

Focus Essential Oil Blend helps you keep focused during classes, study or work. It harnesses concentration, thoughts and aspirations and helps the mind remain fresh and clear.

Positive Vibes Blend will help you feel inspired and energised by this uplifting blend.

Honour the present moment with the uplifting and mind-focusing Mindfulness Blend. Diffuse this nurturing, grounding blend to enjoy the benefits of mindfulness practice in your life.

Body and Room Sprays

Calm & Collected Aromatic Mist is all about returning to yourself. It is designed to bring your energy back to you so you feel aligned, balanced and capable of making decisions. Chakra related essential oils are blended with crystal essence and infused with reiki symbols and energy, all with intention to balance the chakra system.

You can use the Calm & Collected Aura Spray:
~ When you leave work for the day
~ When you feel scattered, irritable, indecisive
~ During witching hour (dinner bath bed routine) when tension and stress are high
~ As a room spray - to lighten and refresh the energy of the room
~ As a pillow mist before bed to help you switch off
~ After being in dense public places like supermarkets, department stores or airports
~ Anytime low vibes (negativity and stress) take hold

Happy and Calm Aromatic Mist is cheerful and calming helping to create a positive and comforting space. It helps us to wind down, relax and have fun. The Happy and calm mist contains the Calm & Clear Bush Flower Essence which helps us to wind down while still enjoying life. I love spraying this in the car just before pick up time, it always makes the drive home a little calmer! You can spray this mist onto yourself, in a room or do as I do and spray the car.

Breathing Space Room Spray creates a clean fresh environment that helps create an atmosphere of calm and serenity, banishes bad vibes and can help keep colds and flus at bay. In Winter I try to spray myself and kids when we get home from school and work so we don't bring other peoples lurgies into the house. Great if you use public transport a lot and are constantly surrounded by air borne bacteria. You can spray this mist onto yourself, in a room or the car. I sometimes use it on stinky shoes or gym clothes before a wash.

I also love Perfect Potion’s other room sprays - Australian Journey, Yuzu and Lime and Shinrin-yoku. All of these work well at clearing the air and bringing a sense of calm and happiness into a room.

Sweet Dreams Aromatic Mist helps you wind down and create your own dreamy paradise. It promotes serenity and inner peace and helps you wake fully rested. It regulates the body clock creating a familiarity with 'falling asleep'. It contains Meditation Bush Flower essence which helps you reach a deeper state in mediation.  I swear by this. I have used this for many years, whether to soothe a teething over tired baby or an overtired mummy! I find after a spray of this everyone calms down and can easily fall asleep. You can spray this mist onto yourself, on a pillow or in a room.

Don't forget Laughter is the best medicine. Having a good laugh is a great way for us to relax after a hard day. Laughter is contagious!

Sapping the Life from your Trees

To me every plant has its place.

Just because I think its place is in the bin doesn’t necessarily mean you should feel the same.

Every garden should be as diverse as its owner. 

Take pride in expressing your individuality in your garden.  Just because Jamie Durie likes it doesn’t mean you have to.

Some plants though do not deserve anyone’s TLC. 

These plants make up Australia’s Most Wanted Weed List or Weeds of National Significance.  Lantana would have to be number one.  This plant has successfully taken over nearly every rainforest and bushland along the east coast of Australia as well as some areas in West Australia and Northern Territory. 

Aconophora compressa

As a way to help combat this evasive weed a Bio-control called Aconophora compressa (Lantana Treehopper) was introduced in 1995 throughout Queensland and New South Wales.

Bio-control is importing a natural enemy to combat pests. It has been very successful in controlling a range of introduced plants that are pests to agriculture, the environment, and human health. Bio-control methods also help reduce the need for pesticide use. The decision to use a Bio-control is not gone into lightly. The lantana treehopper was screened as a bio-control agent from 1990 to 1994 and its release was unanimously supported by 22 state and federal agencies.

The Aconophora compressa camouflages itself very well against the bark of the tree. The insects are brown in colour and can grow up to 8mm long.  It has a horned body so it makes the plant look like it has thorns.  It sucks the sap out of the host plant and exudes large amounts of honeydew, a sugary solution in which black sooty moulds can grow. The treehopper can cause die back, stunted growth and flowering, unhealthy leaves and eventually death of the plant.

Unfortunately, as with many bio-controls, the Aconophora compressa hopped onto some of our common ornamental shrubs and trees. 

This bio-control can be controlled through spraying with an insecticide and trimming or removal of affected plants. The two most viscously attacked plants are Fiddlewoods and Duranta but it has been seen on other ornamentals as well such as Jacarandas and Pandoreas and just recently Annette McFarlane mentioned they were on her Lemon Verbena.

Aconophora compressa

When it comes to the Fiddlewood we aren’t too worried as Fiddlewoods are a West Indian native, considered as an undesirable introduced tree as their roots are very invasive.  The Department of Primary Industry (DPI) recommends removing the affected Fiddlewoods and replacing them with a desirable native tree.

Duranta – Sheenas Gold or Geshia Girl can also be affected by the Aconophora compressa. These plants are so extremely fast growing and resilient that a severe trim (putting all affected cuttings into black plastic bags before dumping) and a fertilise with Organic Link (a good quality organic slow release fertiliser) is all they need.

If they are on a plant you can not trim a spray with an oil based insecticide like Eco oil or neem oil. I have heard that Pyremuythum based sprays are effective as well. When spraying for an insect like this you need to be consistent and make sure the plant gets an effective drenching.

 This weekend give your life some TLC by getting dirty and making sure you have no nasty critters hiding in amongst your flowers.

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.

Brilliant Australian Native Plant

Photo by Brian Walters from the Australian Native Plants Society

Summer Red Eucalyptus would have to be the best flowering Australian Native gum tree for suburbia.

Before this range was released if you wanted a flowering gum tree you had to just go out and buy one and hope for the best. Sometimes the flowers turned out red and other times pink, but quite often it was an insipid white which you didn’t really want anyway. Plus the plant was straggly and had to be kept heavily trimmed to look nice.

The good news is that it’s now possible to buy flowering gums with predictable flower colours. Specially bred for the home garden, the new plants are hybrids between Eucalyptus ficifolia and Eucalyptus ptychocarpa, grafted on to Eucalyptus intermedia rootstock.

Eucalyptus ‘Summer Red’ produces masses of mid-pink to red flowers in summer and grows quickly to around 5 metres. It has large glossy green leaves and the new foliage is an attractive bronze colour. The trees should do well in most areas of Australia and will tolerate light frosts and drought.

Eucalyptus ‘Summer Red’ would be my ideal gum tree for the home garden. It is the perfect shade tree, with a height and spread of around 5m. It can be kept easily pruned and is even suitable for large pots.

Make a bird happy today and plant a Eucalyptus ‘Summer Red’!

It can be trimmed after flowering and I find its best to fertilise them at least three times a year with Organic Link.

A Stunning Australian Native Plant

Photo by Brian Walters from the Australian Native Plants Society

The Alloxylon flammeum, Queensland tree waratah, would have to be boss lady's favourite Australian native plant.

This tree is widely known as one of the most stunning rainforest trees (endemic to North Queensland Rainforest) with a spectacular flowering display in spring.  Despite its tropical origin, the tree waratah can be grown in cooler districts at least as far south as Sydney where the plant flowers reliably.

Alloxylon is from the Greek allo, strange or different and xylon, wood, referring to the unique wood anatomy of the genus - oak-like grain with very broad medullary rays. Flammeum is Latin, meaning flame-coloured or fiery red.

It is listed as 'Vulnerable' under the EPBC Act* (ie. facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, as determined in accordance with prescribed criteria).  Which means if you have the space get one of these beauties in your garden!

It has shiny green elliptical leaves up to 18 cm long, and prominent orange-red inflorescences (An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches) that appear from August to October, followed by rectangular woody seed pods that ripen in February and March. Juvenile plants have large (up to 25 cm long) deeply lobed pinnate leaves.

It will flower most prolifically if grown in full sun in deep rich  soil with extra water given in periods of hot dry weather. In its native habitat it can grow to around 25m tall. In a normal garden it will get to around 10m tall and I find it to be the perfect shade tree.

You can trim after flowering but it has a natural beautiful shape that does not require trimming. It will need a good fertilise every three months. I use Organic Link on all my natives.

Can you Grow your own Curry?

Curry isn't just one herb, it is a complex seasoning that varies from region to region and even from family to family throughout Southeast Asia. Curry seasonings can even be vastly different depending on the season. During summer months, the seasoning is mixed with spices that cool the body and in winter, a different blend helps keep the body warm.

So what are the plants commonly called 'Curry Plants'?  Are they even used in Curries?

Curry Leaf Tree or Sweet Neem (Murraya koenigi)

The Murraya koenigi leaves are the primary seasoning in the South Indian dosa, a crispy, thin, rolled pancake-like bread but it is also used in pickles, egg dishes, chutneys and many other Asian and Indian dishes and is known as “sweet neem” in India.

Curry Leaf Tree or Sweet Neem (Murraya koenigi)

Murraya koenigi is native to India and Sri Lanka. The leaf is the only part of the tree used in cooking and the raw, fresh curry leaf won’t really remind you of curry, but once the leaves are roasted in oil, the aroma and flavour can change remarkably, and the flavour is pleasant and delicious.

Even if you don't cook the Murraya koenigi is still a highly prized plant as its purely ornamental small, white flowers are highly fragrant.

It is a beautiful evergreen small tree that can be grown throughout Australia. Trees can grow up to 4m tall, in the warmer weather but it is advisable to prune back to a desired height of 1.5-2m. Pruning also encourages new growth and hence new leaves for harvesting throughout the year.

It requires full sun or semi shade position protected from heavy frosts. Ideal on warm northern side of buildings in cold climates.

The Curry Leaf tree requires reasonable drainage and regular fertilising. I use Organic Link every three months and Triple Boost regularly.

Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum )

Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum )

Although called the "curry plant" and smelling like the commercial curry powders, Helichrysum italicum has nothing whatsoever to do with this mixture of spices, nor with the actual curry tree (Murraya koenigii), and is not used as masala for curry dishes.

Helichrysum italicum grows naturally on dry, rocky or sandy ground around the Mediterranean. When growing at home try to make sure your plant is in free draining soil and full sun.

The leaves  are grey with clusters of yellow flowers in Summer. These flowers are commonly used in dried flower arrangements.

The shrub can reach about 60 cm in height and can grow in pots or a garden bed. Like all herbs a good tip prune keeps the shrub looking neat and tidy. I usually fertilise at the turn of the season with Organic Link and Triple Boost regularly.

In the Mediterranean the young shoots and leaves of the Helichrysum italicum are used to flavour meat, fish or vegetable dishes. These shoots are then removed before serving. Many people don't like the actual taste of the plant as it has a resinous, somewhat bitter taste reminiscent of sage.

Do you have a Curry Plant or Tree?