Favourites: Senna artemisiodes |
28 August 2008 2:53 PM
This "Favourite Plant" is contributed by Jeff Howes. Thanks, Jeff!* * * * *
When I became interested in Australian native plants in 1976, this was the first plant I grew (in my garden in the northern Sydney suburb of Westleigh). After joining the Australian Plants Society, I obtained seeds from their seed bank and successfully germinated them after treatment with boiling water. The subspecies I have, grows to approximately 1.5 metres high and about the same width, is hardy, long living and long flowering. It has the added bonus of being a legume -- improves soil fertility through 'fixing' nitrogen.
It produces bright yellow flowers about 1.5 cm diameter which are borne in small clusters in the leaf axils over a long period from late Autumn/early Winter through to spring. These are followed by brown/black pods 4-8cm long x 1cm wide. Once established they need no additional watering and the only maintenance is to lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape as they tend to become straggly with age.
Senna: from which the pharmacuetical product "senna" was made.
artemisioide: like the genus Artemisia....after Artemis the Goddess of the hunt and the moon (not sure how this relates to this plant though).
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If you have a plant that you particularly like and that might interest others, why not write a paragraph or two about it for inclusion here as a 'favourite'. If you have a photo to accompany it, so much the better but don't let lack of a photo put you off. If you're interested, drop me an email.
Previous Favourites
Philotheca myoporoidesEpacris longiflora
Kangaroo Paw Hybrids
Alloxylon flammeum: Tree waratah
Jacksonia scoparia: Dogwood
Banksia media: Southern plains banksia
Correa 'Mannii'
Myoporum floribundum: Slender myoporum
Hibbertia diffusa: Wedge guinea flower
Callistemon 'Injune'
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