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A pocket-sized city terrace extension and a multigenerational riverside property inspired by a country shed are among the innovative dwellings shortlisted in the sustainability category of the Houses awards, Australia’s premier residential design prize. This year’s five-panel jury noted a number of new sustainable design trends, including a move towards net-zero housing, abodes that accommodate … Read more

Harriet, who is blind, with her mother, Caroline, who helps her experience the flower show through touch and description Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Last spring, I did some spontaneous pruning of the rampant blackcurrant bush in my veg patch. Instead of putting the cuttings on the compost heap, I placed them in a vase of water because I find the Ribena-like scent of the leaves just delightful. Within a few weeks, the little branches had started to sprout … Read more

What’s the problem?I’ve had an aspidistra for about 30 years. It’s not dead, but it’s never thrived. I’d love it to look dark green and glossy with new leaves coming through. DiagnosisA lack of lush leaves suggests your plant may not be receiving enough light or its soil could be exhausted of nutrients. Infrequent fertilising … Read more

What’s the problem – is it rust?My 10-year-old dragon tree has been happily growing in a bright attic room, but recently the leaves have developed brown splotches. DiagnosisIt’s unlikely to be rust (a fungal infection). Dragon trees (Dracaena marginata) are not particularly prone to rust infections – the splotches are more likely caused by under-watering, … Read more

I can’t stop thinking about the flower market. I make idle plans to get up early and sneak out into the dark, returning to the house as dawn breaks and filling the sink with flowers and stems as the kettle brews for the first cuppa of the day. I can live without flowers in the … Read more

David Hessayon, who has died aged 96, was a chemist who became the world’s most successful gardening writer. His no-nonsense, populist Expert guides are jam-packed with information and were produced to his own design: instructive text supported by deftly organised charts, pictures and diagrams. Hessayon once said that people were not interested in reading about … Read more

There’s no such thing as gardener’s block, I once read. This from, I believe, a famous writer who was making the point that if you’ve got writer’s block, you should just go and do something else for a bit. Point taken. There is no such thing as gardener’s block because if you get stuck doing … Read more

What’s the problem?I’ve tried everything to get rid of these pests but they just keep coming back. DiagnosisThese tiny, sap-sucking insects reproduce rapidly and often hide under leaves and within new growth. If they keep returning, it’s likely that some eggs or larvae are surviving treatments, there are hidden thrips in soil or crevices, or … Read more

There are two dates that herald the beginning of spring. The one determined by astronomy is the vernal equinox, when the sun is exactly over the Equator and day and night are of equal length – that falls on 20 March this year. But I’m more of a fan of the meteorological calendar, which marks spring’s return sooner, on 1 March – … Read more