New Ozzie Breed of Plants

Sydney Garden Talk Wed 5-6, Sat. 12-1pm 2RRR 88.5fm
Feature Interview: Todd Layt, owner & manager of Ozbreed Plants-talks about new plants he has bred.
ISABELLA®Liriope muscari
Isabella is a denser more compact fine leaf foliage and forms a dense ground cover.
In summer, display of showy pink flowers.
Isabella is drought and frost tolerant, and good for sunny or very shady positions.
In cooler areas it is a good idea to cut it back low to the ground in late winter.
Isabella grows to about 40cm high, with a wide spread of 50cm, making it an excellent ground cover.
PENNSTRIPE Pennisetum alopecuroides 'PAV300'
First Variegated Australian Native Grass Pennstripe is a showy, compact clumping perennial grass with narrow arching leaves and spectacular feathery flower plumes from summer to autumn.
The main feature of this variety is its stand out variegated foliage and compact form. Pennstripe grows to approximately 45cm x 45cm, which is 3/5 the size of the common form.
Pennstripe is the first variegated Australian native grass.
Vegetable Heroes:Broad Beans-belong to Fabaceae.
Like all beans, they fix atmospheric nitrogen and so, are also useful as a green manure.
They are hardy, easy to grow. Plant them in April or May for an early spring harvest. Good varieties for this region include Early Long Pod, any of the Windsor varieties and Cole’s Dwarf Prolific.
Broad beans prefer a sunny well-drained position in the garden. Ideally, the soil should fertile, but should not
have excess nitrogen or rich manure as this will promote leaf growth rather than flower (and bean) production and will make the plant more sensitive to frost and disease.
Sow 5-10cm below ground. You can sow in a weak solution of seaweed extract overnight to speed up germination.Takes up to two weeks to germinate and 3-5 months to harvest. Pick early to avoid having to peel them beans to eat them.
Design Elements: Colour Green.
Plant of the Week: Banksia ericifolia.
What's On. Sydney Botanic Gardens plant sale-Sat.8th May, 9-1pm.