Week 4 June 2001: This week we conducted a propagation workshop on a property near Guyra. The Aboriginal owners will be propagating plants from the granite areas of the property to regenerate some cleared areas. We have mentioned this property before. Its granite outcrops are home to a wide range of interesting plants.
Bought more plants this week. Tubed natives were for sale at $2.50 at the Armidale markets. Callistemons, Correas, Eremophilas and Grevilleas were amongst our purchases. We also bought a bare-rooted Persimmon tree that cost considerably more than $2.50. We are fond of the fruit and a tree covered in ripening fruit is an eye-catching feature in the winter garden. Persimmons come under the category: “If it’s exotic and edible then we will try to grow it.”
Saw an unusual bird near our big dam. It was a Nankeen Night Heron. This bird is about 60 cm tall with a rather stooped stance. The large black head has two large white plumes that lay along the back. The chest is creamy-white and the back is grey-brown. The solitary bird stands patiently at the water’s edge waiting for dinner. The Night Heron stayed for a couple of days.
Around the Tablelands the Acacia baileyana are beginning to flower. We regard them as “Heralds of Spring".
We spent some time digging holes and planting in our new Lawn Garden. Planting in our usual way with two plants in each hole to give density and diversity.
There is a Stringybark (Eucalyptus laevopinea) flowering to the west of the house. Lots of activity in the tree as small and large birds feed on the copious nectar.