It was a haphazard moment: I came a cropper from lack of attention.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Turning, I stubbed my toe and changed my grip on the tools in hand. The two-pronged weeder trowel slipped from my grasp, bounced off the heavy timber bridge deck, to go plop into the water.
It was gone. Was this possible? Of course, juggling a crusty-dried pair of gloves, a floppy kneeler pad and the weeder was comparable to Hopalong Cassidy fumbling his silver handgun in the middle of a fancy holstering.
Please don’t say you don’t know who Mr. Cassidy is. I feel old enough as it is.
While most freebie plants around the garden are weeds, some green stuff are called pioneer species, meaning they are spread by birds or hang about as dormant seed in the soil. Some like our bottlebrushes are valuable.
They may be accidental but pay off better than a foot stumble and lost tools.
Most bottlebrush are found in the more temperate regions of Australia, especially along the east coast and typically favour moist conditions so when planted in gardens thrive on regular watering.
However, some species are drought-resistant and some are used in ornamental landscaping elsewhere in the world.
In the Sensory Garden at Elizabeth Park Regional Gardens, we have two bottlebrushes which were not planted by gardeners.
Frankly they seem to thrive better that way, and yes it hurts to admit this. They are positioned on the edge of the pond. Both are multi-stemmed, lush and look fabulous.
They are most likely Callistemon viminalis, the Weeping Bottlebrush.
Capable of growing into a seven metre tree, they have profuse red flowers, make a great windbreak, screen and bird attractant.
Poorly drained sites, most soil types and drought are taken to with the same relish as us lifting that long-awaited cuppa after a long day’s work.
Tough cookies, these trees.
As sure as Hopalong Cassidy always got his man, fumbles or not, the bottlebrush will shine and keep the honeyeater birds happy. No accident there.