ABC Gardening Australia magazine

“I love creating gardens, and have shaped three of them over the years. First, The Chapel at Ashton, then Hamlyn Cottage in Mount Barker, both in the Adelaide Hills. I shared many stories about the Hamlyn Cottage garden with Gardening Australia viewers and readers and it became known as

Strawberries are seemingly easy to grow, but they’re not without their quirks. Lush foliage doesn’t always translate to bowls of fruit, and what looks like a thriving patch can quietly underperform. The good news? Most strawberry woes are easily remedied.
Winter is the time to plant strawberry crowns and bare-rooted runners. Plants prefer a sunny position (at least six hou...

Australia’s native flora is rich in winter-flowering plants, and including a few in your garden provides interesting textures, long-lasting cut flowers and a valuable food source for wildlife. In many areas, insects remain active during these months, while birds are always on the hunt for nectar, making these plants a magnet for visitors. Many native species also bring strong...

Paul Whelan’s childhood holidays were spent jumping in the ocean with his surfboard, camping on the beach, and making memories with family and friends. Adulthood took Paul travelling far and wide, but his favourite place for a getaway is still the beach at Dodges Ferry, a coastal town 40km east of Hobart, in Lutruwita/ Tasmania, where Paul has created a cosy, coastal garden a...

Long prized for their glossy green leaves and reliable winter colour, camellias are a familiar presence in many gardens. There’s a wide range of species and countless cultivars available, offering plenty of options for interest throughout the cooler months. Yet among this abundance sits a quieter group – camellias with scent.

Stop and smell the camellias