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 designs. A … 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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Zen and the art of hand-watering

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By Mark Evans

I’m no liquid luddite. Our thin boundary border beds and double arms-length wide vegetable rows all have a central snake of plastic dripper line to slowly soak the soil and if I was the lawn-watering kind I would naturally choose the efficiency of a sprinkler to cast a wide, even drink. But of all the forms of home irrigation, I find hand-watering the most satisfying.

Rain is the best way to water your … Read more »

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