JungleSeeds

Acacia baileyana is the floral emblem of the small rural township of Cootamundra is a well-known Australian species, principally on account of its popularity in cultivation. Baileyana grows to a large bushy shrub or small tree, commonly reaching 5–10 m high, and is typically freely branching from 1–2 m above the ground, plants growing in dense regrowth stands tend to be somewhat spindly whereas in open sites they are more robust. The short bipinnate leaves are usually grey/green in colour, the flower heads are lemon yellow and arranged in elongated showy racemes. Cootamundra Wattle is an adaptable, fairly hardy species that is fast-growing, relatively short-lived, frost resistant to perhaps -5°C prefering cool, higher rainfall areas.

A lovely blue/purple leafed form of the Cootamundra Wattle with clusters of yellow flowers in the spring. Maybe hardy to about -5°C

An unusual ornamental Acacia, “Flat Stem Wattle”, growing quickly into a large shrub or small tree, 3ft-9ft tall if you have the space! However it is fairly unique among wattles to flower from Spring to Autumn, bearing an abundance of large, yellow balls which emit a rich perfume. Frost resistant but unlikely to survive below -5°C.

Dealbata produces the classic florist cut flower and also hardy to about -7°C. There is a beautiful 20ft specimen probably 10/20 years old growing happily in a front garden near Thorpe Park.

Flowers in racemes that many of us aspire to grow. Pravissima is said to be the hardiest of the Acacias and therefore well worth trying, however from our own trials in 2005 it was badly damaged at -8°C.

These unusual plants can be cultivated in a greenhouse that has a minimum winter temperature of 10°C or they can be grown outside in mild, dry climates. These vigorous plants grow from 3 to 4 feet high and spread up to 18 inches across. They need an acid, sandy, well drained compost. They also make excellent unusual long lasting cut flowers for flower arranging enthusiasts!

Banksia ericifolia, historically important as it was the first specimen collected by Sir Joseph Banks at Botany Bay in 1770, and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Banksias in Australia, with large 12” tall striking spikes of yellow to reddish-orange flowers contrasted with small, linear, light-green to greyish-green leaves. It will develop into a large 4 metre high bush given a sheltered sunny position in an acid well drained soil. Frost tolerant but only hardy to about -5°C

Banksia, members of the Proteaceae family, is one of Australia’s most beautiful plant genera, named after Sir Joseph Banks. Marginata accepts part shade to full sun and all types of soil with moisture varying from damp through well drained to dry. The plant is also tolerant of salt and lime, although preferring acid to neutral soil. The evergreen leaves are dark green on top and silver underneath which forms an attractive contrast. Flowering in spring and summer, the candle like upright flowers are yellow and borne on spikes 4 to 10cm long and 3 - 5 cm in diameter. Probably hardy to about -10°C it is a spectacular shrub for anyone with a suitable protected position in the UK.

Captain Cook is a cultivated weeping large flowered form of Viminalis but also reasonably hardy for milder areas.The seed is small but not difficult to grow and you should have a flowering plant in the second year if sown early.

The most commonly grown bottle brush previously called Callistemon speciosus. A semi hardy shrub tolerant to perhaps -5°C with large scarlet flowers and slightly larger leaves than the hardier species. Excellent though as a conservatory plant tolerant of heat and dry atmospheres and easy from seed.

A mixture of all our Bottle Brush seeds, some frost tender and others hardy. Colours include Red, Violet, White, Pink and Green

An upright hardy shrub with slender spreading branches growing to a height of 3 m by 2 m. The fresh lemon coloured brushes present a pleasing contrast to the grey-green foliage. This frost-hardy plant will grow in moist situations in full sun or part shade and will also withstand moderate exposure to salt laden winds.

An open hardy shrub to 1.5 metres with flower spikes in summer. Very narrow, pine tree like, sharply pointed leaves and adaptable to most conditions, even poor soils. Prune for shape regularly after flowering. We offer the red form as the species is normally green flowered. Almost as hardy as rigidus and suitable for most parts of the UK.

'Australian Bottle Brush' I have included here some of the best forms of hardy and semi hardy varieties. Rigidus and Salignus Rubra have slightly smaller flowers than some of the more tender species, but well worth growing for an unusual shrub with masses of brilliant bright red flowers about 3” long in early summer. The seed is small, not difficult to grow, with a flowering plant in the second year if sown early. Salignus Rubra is a more weeping and smaller variety. Captain Cook is a weeping large flowered form of Viminalis but also reasonably hardy for milder areas.

Ornamental bottlebrush with creamy white flowers in spring or summer, and produces pink-tinged new growth. Frost sensitive when young though.

Salignus Rubra has brighter red flowers and is a smaller more weeping variety.

We offer the pink flowered form of this hardy bottle brush, frost hardy to perhaps -8°C. Lovely pale pink bottle brush flowers in late spring given a sunny position.

A rather special bottle brush, semi hardy to -5°C, with large violet/purple blooms. The picture is from a shrub grown from seed by us and the front page of the Australian seed section contrasts this flower with the more common scarlet.

A very hardy bottle brush from Tasmania down to perhaps -18°C! Lovely lime green bottle brush flowers in late spring. The plant will grow to about 2 metres with glossy willow like foliage and prefers a hot sunny position.

An unusual scrambling woody shrub from down under related to the pea family. Frost tender but fairly tough for over wintering in a cold greenhouse or conservatory. It produces highly attractive lobster claw type scarlet flowers in clusters in late winter early spring.

An unusual scrambling woody shrub from down under related to the pea family. Frost tender but fairly tough for over wintering in a cold greenhouse or conservatory. This very rare variety produces highly attractive lobster claw, pure white flowers in clusters in late winter early spring.

Cyathea Australis the “Rough Tree Fern” is similar in appearance to Cooperii but said to be at least as hardy as Dealbata and tolerant of a more open position.

Cyathea Cooperii is an attractive garden tree fern suitable for a sheltered site. However it is not so hardy and temperatures of minus 4C are at the limit of its endurance. It is taller and more slender than Dicksonia with soft light green fronds.

One of the most beautiful species of plant to come from the southern hemisphere are the tree ferns. Alas our winter climate is a little harsh for them unless a micro climate and suitable winter protection can be established. They are true ferns and hence need shade and high humidity as well as clement winter temperatures. The hardiest is Dicksonia Antartica capable of managing -5°C to -8°C without protection although the fronds will burn and die back at these lows. However if the crown is suitably protected in winter they can survive much lower temperatures and the 5' to 10' fronds in early summer are breathtaking. For those of you living in warm coastal waters or in a protected suburban environment where shade and humidity can be maintained in summer along with mild winter temperatures, these are essential for your tropical garden. They take years to grow and therefore becoming protected in the wild as pressure grows for more garden plants worldwide. You can grow them from spores and although it will take time to grow a tree fern which develops a trunk, the smaller plants are extremely attractive as large ferns.

Another plant I have grown for years but it really needs a hot sunny conservatory to do well. Long terminal spikes of typical pea family bright red flowers. Tall plant flowering at 6ft+ but dies back to ground level in cold climates, watch out for the wicked thorns on the stems though! Easy to raise from seed and fairly fast growing.

A large evergreen tree that makes a good pot plant with it’s soft downy pinnate leaves. Grows easily from seed with fast growth after germination.

Hymenosporum flavum is native to Australia. The heavily perfumed, creamy-white flowers turn golden-yellow with time and are borne in panicles. Highly scented with a hint of citrus blossom hence its common name “Australian frangipani”. Once established it may tolerate a light to medium frost.

Kirstenbosch Smoke Papers (Pkt of 5)

Many seeds can benefit from soaking in smoke impregnated water solution to simulate seed growth after natural bush fires in countries like Australia and South Africa. In particula Anigozanthus, Strelitzia and Protea benefit from this treatment enhancing the likely germination % but research suggests many other recalcitrent species can also benefit like Palms and Musa seed.

Cape Super Smoke Plus is an absorbent paper that is impregnated with fynbos-smoke-saturated water. The paper is then dried and sealed in a polythene packet. When dormant seeds require "smoking", a predetermined volume of water is added to the paper in a suitable container and the seeds are "smoke-primed" by soaking in the smoke-water solution for 24 hours. In order to have the maximum effect in breaking seed dormancy, a range of natural germination stimulators has been added to the smoke solution to overcome other forms of seed dormancy found in many species.

Each standard packet contains five papers, and 50ml water should be added to each paper. Each packet is thus sufficient to make up 250ml solution ( approx. 8½ oz. ) and enough to treat approximately 500 large seeds.