ABC Gardening Australia magazine

Here’s what you’ll find inside …

Gardeners sometimes ask why they need to prune. Plants in nature aren’t pruned, they argue, so why can’t we just leave them to do their own thing? In many cases we can. Plenty of plants grow perfectly happily if never pruned. But there are often good reasons for pruning. It encourages new productive growth, removes damaged or diseased foliage, thins plants to allow in more li...

Shallot, scallion, green onion, spring onion… if ever there was a vegetable with an identity crisis, this is it. Whatever you call it, it’s easily one of the most useful and versatile plants you can grow. For the record, the most appropriate name for the plant I’m referring to is green onion or scallion – the one with long green stalks that fade into soft white ends and never...

Hakeas are a diverse group of Australian native shrubs and small trees that deserve more appreciation. With 150-plus species, and found across every state, these striking feature plants are remarkably versatile, offering both screening and structure, in a wide range of climates. And their habitat value is exceptional: nectar-rich flowers attract insects and honeyeaters, while...