Wollemi Pines
May 4, 2008
I’ve planted nearly 40 liquidambars along the south-eastern boundary in two rows. The little trees have turned the most magnificent deep plum colour. They’ll be spectacular when they reach a mature height. I have been thinking a lot about this planting and wondering whether they would look better mixed with another species to add better textural and colour interest. Anyway today after watching a segment on ‘Autumn Trees’ on the ABC’s Gardening Australia where John Patrick suggested “planting them against a contrasting foil like a beautiful conifer” I decided I would move a few of the liquidambars, adding another row then plonk in a few contrasting plants. I’ve decided on a couple of ancient tree species. Ginkgo Biloba for it’s interesting shaped leaves and lovely yellow autumn foliage and the spectacular evergreen Wollemi Pine. I’ll put in 7 Ginkgo(males, no smelly fruit) and 12 Wollemi. It’ll probably take me awhile to get the plants due to budget restrictions, I’ll just have to get a couple every month or as I can afford them. The Wollemi are especially expensive at the moment but I have heard that they’ll be producing them cheaper soon.
Also bought 10 little Snow Gums (Eucalyptus coccifera) in tubes at Agfest on the weekend. I’ll put them in amongst Japanese Maples in front of the taller Liquidambar/Wollemi/Ginkgo planting. Their wonderfully coloured smooth trunks will look glorious amongst the feather leafed maples.
I was a strong advocate of planting only natives when I lived in Queensland. I planted hundreds of beautiful rainforest species at a property we owned at the base of Mt Tamborine and I even squashed in about thirty large native trees in a very small backyard at Southport. Here though, I have a south facing block to contend with and there is only one deciduous native plant that would let winter sun onto the paddocks and that’s a deciduous beech (fagus - Nothofagus gunnii) -notoriously very difficult to grow and only a small tree. They are though fascinating and absolutely gorgeous with their contorted branches and exquisitely shaped leaves. You can see them around Dove Lake, we went a couple of weeks ago and they were just starting to change colour. I do plan to keep the lower half of the property (below the house) fully native so I’ll have a go at growing some deciduous fagus there.
