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Sage advice on salvias

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by Mark Evans

The genus Salvia is the largest in the mint family (Lamiaceae) and among the biggest in the entire plant kingdom – currently ranked twenty-fifth – with 1,024 recognised species and many more cultivars and hybrids.

The type species, Salvia officinalis (common sage), serves as the genus’s botanical anchor, defining the key traits shared by all other salvia species. Common sage has a rich history in traditional medicine. The Egyptians valued its healing properties, and … Read more »

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Clip art: the sheer genius of topiary

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by Mark Evans

Following another successful Sculpture Bermagui exhibition (a big shout-out to all the volunteers!) I thought this month we’d explore the theme of living sculptures, particularly topiary. While topiary is one well-known living-art form, other fascinating techniques include bonsai, espalier, and even crop circles!

Topiary combines horticulture and creativity and involves the careful trimming and shaping of plants into decorative forms. These can range from basic geometric shapes to elaborate spirals, animals, or abstract … Read more »

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A group of succulents in terracotta pots.

The juicy world of succulents

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A group of succulents in terracotta pots.

by Mark Evans

Succulents are unique plants known for their thick, fleshy tissues that store water, helping them survive in dry or arid environments. Many of these plants have special features, such as waxy coatings, spines or rosette formations that minimise water loss. This diverse group includes familiar species like cacti, aloe and jade plants, each with its own characteristics.

Found all over the world, succulents are especially … Read more »

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Behind The Green In-Door

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by Mark Evans

Humans have been growing plants indoors for millennia. It likely began when the first ancient Egyptian plucked a lotus stem from the Nile River and placed it in a clay pot. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – may well have been the first true ‘urban jungle’.

Meanwhile, the Chinese were perfecting the art of bonsai, while … Read more »

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The Colours of Christmas

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by Mark Evans

Red, green and white are among the most popular colours associated with Christmas. This iconic combination is believed to originate from the English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) with its evergreen leaves and bright red berries. Amidst the European snow, holly symbolised hope during the depths of winter and was integral to ancient winter solstice celebrations, long before the advent of Christmas.
In Australia, however, holly berries ripen between May and August, … Read more »

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Grow your garden for less

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by Mark Evans

Propagating plants from cuttings is one of the easiest and most common methods of plant reproduction. It’s also the quickest way to produce an exact clone of the parent plant.
Cuttings rely on the fact that plant cells are totipotent, meaning each cell has the potential to develop into a complete plant. A single plant cell can become either a root or a shoot, which is … Read more »

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The Triangle is a community paper, principally for the region bounded by the three prominent mountains: Peak Alone, Gulaga and Mumbulla. It is produced on the traditional lands of the Yuin nation and we acknowledge that this was and will always be Yuin Country. We are grateful for their thousands of years of careful and deliberate stewardship of Country and pay our respects to Yuin Elders past, present and emerging.

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