Two have gone onto a raised mound, and the third at ground level but with a dose of gypsum in case there is clay below the root ball. Mounds need only be 120 mm above ground level to achieve the drainage required.

This is the hardiest of the kangaroo paws and is used in breeding the new hybrids that are in many nurseries these days. I must say that I like the species plants even though I admire the new colours.

The strappy leaves on this plant can grow up to a metre tall and the clump to a metre across. However the flower spikes can grow to two metres . The seed I was given came from plants that had these very tall spikes and many flowers on the stalk.

It grows best in moist, light to medium soils, in partial to full sun, but will tolerate dappled shade. It can be damaged by frost.

Black ink disease is a problem in misty areas or locations where there is not enough air movement. Slugs and snails will cause a lot of damage.

Xanthorrhoea glauca ssp. angustifolia

I found this plant in Canberra Botanic gardens in the bush garden with other grasses and daisies. I assume that it is native to the area around Canberra. I could not find ant direct information about the plant. Most of the time I scrabbled around the base of plants in the garden looking for the aluminium tag attached to the plant to read what the species was. Unfortunately, I forgot to check other plants in the area in case there was further information.

Judging by the type of soil and location, I suggest that this plant needs good drainage. It is obviously frost hardy as it was in an exposed situation. There was a saying amongst the Australian Plant Society members that  if a plant grew in Canberra, it would survive any frost that formed in South Australia.

Xanthorrhoea johnsonnii

I was delighted to see well grown plants of Xanthorrhoea johnsonii in Canberra Botanic Gardens, which has to be my favourite Botanic Garden. This photo was taken in the dry bushland section near the daisies and rockery. They are wonderful architectural plants and look spectacular with their dark trunk. The National Botanic Garden is built on a hillside with what must be great drainage, which these bush plants need.

I discovered that Canberra city has the same annual rainfall as Adelaide, so much of what I saw growing there has a fair chance of success in Adelaide and environs.

Lomandra confertifolia 'Little Con'

This tufted plant has been around for a while and has proved to be hardy in many locations. This particular selection has been promoted in garden centres for some time. In the photo it is being used as border plant. Lomandra confertifolia originates in Queensland with some forms appearing along the coast to Sydney. The requirements are generally filtered light and good drainage. This small form seems to be hardy in more open positions. Generally they tolerate light to moderate frosts. Grasses can be seen in this use also here.

Xanthorrhoea semiplana (Yakka) with trunks

This photo was taken because it was fascinating to see the age of these Grass Trees. The walking path passed between these two trunks. There is moss growing on the trunks. I would love to at least see my little plant make the canopy of leaves showing on these.

This plant seems to be a very hardy one once established. The flower stalk can be up to two and a half metres long. They often have a kink or distortion in the spike.

There is one minor problem. It is in the spot where I want to grow some Banksias. I am not sure that Xanthorhoea and Banksias go together. I suppose in the south east, Banksia ornata and Banksia marginata both have Grass Trees in the vicinity.

Today has been a “rescue plants day”. I have some Geraldton Wax (Chamaelaucium ‘Meringur Mist’) which I want to use as a hedge plus windbreak. I think this Geraldton Wax will manage if we have heavy frosts again. It is certainly a drought tolerant species. It originated in a garden at Meringur, south west of Mildura which is a frosty location. I have found that the frost rating given to species is only valid in times of normal rainfall. In a drought year, the frost damage can be quite severe.

There was a frost warning for here tonight. It is quite likely that my tomato and Zucchini plants may suffer.

Xanthorrhoea semiplana Flower Spike

Husband took this photo. It shows the masses of little flowers that make up this marvellous spike. The insects and native bees were working over the flowers when he took me to see it.

I downloaded his photos to my computer as they were really good shots.

I found my small plant of this Grass Tree today. I raised a few from seed and this one must be 5 years old. It is about 30cm tall and is a tuft about the thickness of two adult fingers. Considering that it normally occurs in deep slightly acid sand, in an area of 500-600mm rainfall I guess it is not a bad size. We saw one about 10 years old in a garden and it had a flower spike.

Xanthorrhoea semiplana (Yakka)

After the grasses seminar we went to Cromer Conservation Park for a picnic lunch. Husband had been bird watching there and was distracted by the great display of wildflowers. There were a number of these Xanthorrhoea plants in flower. They were growing on deep very well drained sand.

These are often sought after as feature rockery plants. The emphasis is on getting hold of tagged plants, not digging them up in the wild without a permit. Every plant that I have seen ready for transplanting has had the leaves trimmed to around 30cm or less, I assume to reduce transpiration stress.

They do not have an extensive root system. They need good drainage, so raise the planting spot if needed, and give it an open sunny aspect. Keep moist but not soggy, so test the soil in the top 4-5cm for dryness before watering again. I think a mulch of small gravel or course sand, failing that, leaf litter to retain moisture during the summer and keep soil temperature from extremes while the plant is establishing is a good idea.

Jeff turned this piece of Xanthorrhoea root and the bowl.

Australian native timbers have been used for many wood crafts. I have a set of lace bobbins turned from local mallee (Eucalyptus species), mulga (Acacia aneura) and silky oak (Grevillea robusta). The grain and colour is beautiful on the curves of the bobbins.

Another friend made a parquetry floor from timbers that he cut to size himself. The finished floor is a delight to look at. Crawling about on the floor was sheer pleasure to enjoy the colours.

Xanthorrhoea root and bowl. Jeff's Photo

Bowl turned from Xanthorrhoea. Photo by Jeff

This photo that Jeff sent to me was taken at an exhibition. The bowl has the most marvellous grain and colour. This is turned from the caudex (trunk) of a Xanthorrhoea .