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Dogbane

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Plectranthus caninus OR Coleus canina
Aka “Scardy Cat Plant” “Piss Off Plant”

Origin: East Africa and Southern Asia

Plant: All year round in warm climates

Propagate: Cuttings

Perennial ground cover originating from East Africa and Southern Asia. Anecdotal evidence supports the claim it deters cats and dogs but it has been seen to outgrow and over time eliminate Nut Grass (Anne Gibson, Microgardener).
Dogbane likes hot, dry and sunny conditions providing a superb display of lavender coloured flowers in Winter and sporadically throughout the year. When dried it can be added to a Pot Pourri mix.
Grows to a height of around 30cm with 1.2m width. Easy to propagate from cuttings and doesn’t require harvesting.

Chilli

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Capsicum annuum, C. chinense, C. pubescens, C. baccatum

Origin: South and Central America

Plant: All year round in warm climates

Harvest: All year round in warm climates

Propagate: Seed

These decorative, short-lived, warm climate perennials are renowned for their fiery fruit which come in a variety of colours: red, yellow, orange, black, purple, green. These plants grow up to 2 metres high with the smaller fruit generally being the hottest but their are many exceptions. The flesh and seeds of the fruit are eaten, with the seeds being the hottest component. Chilli seeds need warmth to germinate and enjoy a hot and sunny position with well drained soil. Regular watering is important avoid excessive application of fertilisers, instead provide a high level of organic matter and be sure to practice crop rotation.

Mulberry

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Morus alba, M. nigra, M. rubra, M. macroura
Common Name: Mulberry
Origin: Asia (white mulberry), United States (red mulberry) and Middle East (black mulberry)
Best Climate: Widely climatically adaptable
Plant: Any time in the sub-tropics, although winter is best
Harvest: Early spring
Large, stunning trees belonging to the same family as fig. Faster growing White (leaves used for silkworm larvae) compared to slower growing black producing the larger, sweeter clusters of fruit.
Both grow in this area and can handle a variety of soils, as long as they are reasonably deep and well drained.  Trees can be pruned similar to an apple – open vase and they require watering until well established. They can also be grown in pots (dwarf form) so they’re easier to protect from birds.
Flowering takes place over many weeks and fruit ripens from early Spring onwards in Sunshine Coast.
Apart from birds eating the fruit a common disease affecting leaves during wet weather is Mulberry Leaf Spot. Bordeaux Spray can be used only after leaf fall up until bud burst. For 10 litres dissolve 100g copper sulphate with hot water in a plastic bucket, then pour into sprayer 3/4 filled with cold water. Now mix 100g hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) with a small amount of water to make a slurry and add to your copper sulphate solution. Stir and add water to make 10 litres. Add 50ml white oil to assist with sticking to leaves. Stir constantly to avoid nozzle blockage.

Sweet Leaf (Sauropus androgynous)

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Common names: Sweet Leaf, Tropical asparagus, Chang Kok, Star gooseberry, Katuk

Origin: Tropical and Sub-Tropical Asia

Plant: Sweet leaf will grow in most soils, including heavy clay. It tolerates high rainfall as well as dry conditions, will grow in full sun or handle shade.

Harvest: All year (growth does slow in winter)

Propagation: By seeds, suckers or cuttings

A prolific, heavy yielding nutritious green leafed bush which grows to 1-2.5m in height. It has flat, round orange/red flowers but generally does not set seed in SE Qld conditions.
Growth is prolific in the warmer months and slows down or goes dormant in winter. Fertilise regularly and mulch to retain soil moisture.
An extract made from the plant has been found to have strong activity again pine-wood nematodes and may have use against other species.
It has a high (49%) protein content and 14-18% fibre as well as vitamins (A,B,C) and minerals including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium & iron.
Sweet leaf has been used medicinally as a blood builder, cell rejuvenator and beneficial to circulation, intestinal flora and regular bowel elimination.
It is used extensively in cooking in East Asia as the leaves taste like fresh peas, with a nutty flavour.
Leaves can be added to salads, sandwiches, scrambled eggs, tossed in curries, dips, casseroles, stir-fries or used as a garnish.
Consuming large quantities of raw plant material can cause serious lung damage so cooking is mostly recommended

Plants available in our nursery

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