Paten’s Manuscripts

Paten’s Manuscripts

Cockspur thorn

Cockspur thorn Most gardeners are happy to tolerate thorny plants for the sake of their...
Philydrum lanuginosum, Frogsmouth

‘Frog Hollows’ in the garden

‘Frog Hollows’ in the garden Frogs are an important part of the ecosystem and yet...
Agathis robusta

Queensland Kauri Pine

Queensland Kauri Pine A magnificent avenue of Queensland Kauri pine (Agathis robusta) planted along Grey...
Bursaria spinosa, Blackthorn

Native blackthorn

Native blackthorn Plants are amazing organisms. They produce the oxygen needed by all of the...
Eucalyptus microcorys, Tallow Wood

Tallowwood

Tallowwood Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys) is a fast growing, moderately tall evergreen tree that is found...
Sterculia quadrifida, Peanut Tree

Peanut tree

Peanut tree If you are looking for a, small rainforest tree with unique features, the...

The common silkpod

The common silkpod One of the distinguishing features of a rainforest is the presence of...

Silky wattle

Silky wattle When many other plants are not flowering, the silky wattle (Acacia holosericea) provides...
Acacia cultriformis, Knife Leaf Wattle

The knife-leaf wattle

The knife-leaf wattle Wattles belong to the genus Acacia, of which there are 1350 species...
Solanum aviculare, Kangaroo Apple

Kangaroo apple

Kangaroo apple The kangaroo apple (Solanum aviculare) belongs to the same family as many economically...
Acacia maidenii, Maiden's Wattle

Maiden’s wattle

Maiden’s wattle Maiden’s wattle (Acacia maidenii) is a fast growing, small tree (either slender or...

Angular pigface

Angular pigface Angular pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) is often overlooked as a garden plant due to...
Linospadix monostachya, Walking Stick Palm

The walking stick palm

The walking stick palm Invariably gardens have some shaded areas, from buildings or established trees...
Brachychiton discolor, Lace Bark

FLAME TREES, KURRAJONGS AND BOTTLE TREES

FLAME TREES, KURRAJONGS AND BOTTLE TREES Most people are familiar with the flame tree (Brachychiton...

CONTAINER AND INDOOR PLANTS

CONTAINER AND INDOOR PLANTS Most people have a deep sense of connectedness with the natural...

Hoya australis

Hoya australis There are about 200 different species of Hoya in tropical and subtropical regions...
Cyathea cooperi, Scaly Tree Fern

Lacy tree fern

Lacy tree fern For gardeners wanting a tropical appearance without large rainforest trees, the lacy...

Cycads

Cycads Cycads are a very early form of seed-bearing plant (Gymnosperms) that evolved millions of...

Koda – a special ornamental tree

Koda – a special ornamental tree Like many Australian plants, the Koda (Ehretia acuminata) has...
Cordyline petiolaris, Broad Leaved Palm Lily

PALM LILIES

PALM LILIES Palm lilies, or cordylines, are complimentary to modern landscaping styles. They are often...

Native bleeding heart

Native bleeding heart If you are searching for a tall bushy shrub with interesting foliage...
Psychotria daphnoides, Turkey Bush

Turkey bush

Turkey bush The smooth psychotria, or turkey bush (Psychotria daphnoides) is a lovely, open shrub...

The Brisbane laurel

The Brisbane laurel The Brisbane laurel is only one of several common names for Pittosporum...
Cassinia laevis, Cough Bush

The curry bush

The curry bush Like many plants, the curry bush (Cassinia laevis) has several common names...

Flame Trees, Kurrajongs and Bottle Trees

Flame Trees, Kurrajongs and Bottle Trees Most people are familiar with the flame tree (Brachychiton...

Border Planting

Border Planting Borders to garden beds or rockeries benefit from an edging of low growing...
Eupomatia laurina, Bolwarra/Native Guava

Lantana Replacement Plants

Lantana Replacement Plants Lantana is one of our most invasive weeds in Queensland and NSW...

Grass Trees

Grass Trees A survivor from the age of dinosaurs, the unique Australian grasstree (Xanthorrhoea sp.)...

Queensland Laurels

Queensland Laurels The genus Neolitsea, in the laurel family, is found throughout south-east Asia and...
Lomandra hystrix, Mat Rush

‘Frog Hollows’ In The Garden

‘Frog Hollows’ In The Garden Frogs are an important part of the ecosystem and yet...

Versatile Hop Bushes

Versatile Hop Bushes Hop bushes (Dodonaea sp.) are so named as their colourful fruit bear...

Red Apple

Red Apple The soft green foliage and deep canopy of rainforest trees conjure a feeling...

Sea Celery

Sea Celery The common name of this plant, sea celery or parsley (Apium prostratum), is...

The Native Elderberry

The Native Elderberry The native elderberry (Sambucus autralasica) is a useful bush food to have...

Muttonwood

Muttonwood Muttonwood, Myrsine variabilis, is a great landscape species. It can be used as a...

Leichhardt Tree

Leichhardt Tree The Leichhardt tree (Nauclea orientalis), named after the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt who first...

Versatile Wattles

Versatile Wattles When I think about Australian vegetation gum trees and wattles immediately spring to...

Native Food Plants For The Garden

Native Food Plants For The Garden In recent years there has been a resurgence of...

Native Cottage Garden

Native Cottage Garden Different garden designs come into and out of vogue but the Cottage...

Specimen trees for the home garden

There are innumerable native trees that make beautiful garden specimen trees...

Planting for Spring and Butterflies

Planting For Spring And Butterflies With the coming of warmer weather sightings of butterflies are...

Interesting Plant Foliage

Interesting Plant Foliage We are blessed in South East Queensland by having many small native...

Native Plants for Cut Flowers

Native Plants For Cut Flowers Some of the most spectacular large floral arrangements are those...

Native Plants for Bushfire Zones

Native Plants For Bushfire Zones The vegetation of much of Australia has been shaped over...

Iconic Eucalypts

Iconic Eucalypts Thoughts of Australia are associated with our dominant group of trees – the...

Beautiful Australian Native Timber Trees

Beautiful Australian Native Timber Trees The red cedar (Toona ciliata var australis) is possibly our...

Wildlife-Attracting Plants

Wildlife Attracting Plants Each plant species has a specific set of environmental conditions under which...

Australian Citrus

Australian Citrus Since restaurants have discovered how delectable many of our native plants are, it...

Climbing Plants for the Garden

Climbing Plants For The Garden Climbing plants can be used to great effect in any...

Appealing Lilly Pillys

Appealing Lilly Pillys Humans tend to view trees from either an aesthetic or functional perspective...