The Spiders Website

Stars of the Summer Garden: Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia)

2012-02-17T02:21:00.000-08:00

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are the royalty of my flower garden with their elegant, perfect, classic shaped blooms and their stately leaves - beautiful in their own right.

Callas are native to Southern Africa.

The plant was named "Zantedeschi" after Professor Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773-1846), an Italian physician and botanist.

Although known as calla lilies they are not true lilies, growing from tubers rather than bulbs and are classed in the family Araceae.

Nor are their flowers as they seem. The outer "petal" is a spathe or modified leaf and the centre spadix is the true flower.

All parts of the plant are toxic due to the presence of calcium oxlate.

Calla lilies are New Zealand's second most important export flower crop. (Cymbidium orchids are the number 1 cut flower export)

Calla Zantedeschias are summer flowering.
They require well drained soil to avoid rotting the tubers.
They grow well in sun or semi-shade but in hotter climates semi-shade is best to avoid withering the leaves with too much strong sunlight.
It is important to give attention to their watering. Callas do not perform to their best if either over or under watered.
Fertilise during the growing season with a good complete fertiliser.
Mulch to keep the tubers cool.
The leaves die down in winter. In milder climates they can be left in the garden but in harsh climates the tubers are best lifted and stored in a cool, dry place - Or grown in pots.
The tubers can be affected by a bacterial disease called Erwinia. The signs of this are that the stems and flowers suddenly tip over from the base and go mushy. When lifted the tubers give off a terrible smell - similar to rotting flesh! There is no known cure for Erwinia so it is probably best to discard the diseased plant in the rubbish bin - not the compost bin!

Stars of the Summer Garden: Gaillardia (aristata x grandiflora) "Arizona Sun"

2012-02-09T00:55:00.112-08:00

Gaillardia was named for Gaillard de Charentonneau who was an 18th century French judge and patron of botany.

Its common name is blanket flower because the bright colours and patterns of its flowers resemble blankets made by native American Indians.

Blanket flower is itself native to the American plains so naturally likes a hot, dry, well drained, open position.

Full sun is non-negotiable but apart from that they are adaptable plants.

Its leaves are lance-like in shape but the plant is so smothered in flowers from early summer until late autumn that you barely see the leaves.

Blanket flower grows in a mound up to 1m x 1m, this coupled with its drought tolerance makes it ideal for pots.

It is a short lived perennial that self sows readily but it is best to propagate the plant by division to make sure it grows true to its cultivar.

Dead head the flowers regularly to ensure continuous flowering.

The plant is dormant in winter.

As you can see from my photographs blanket flower is irresistible to bees and butterflies.

Bee Magnets: Borage (borago officinalis)

2012-02-05T02:17:00.000-08:00

Borage (borago officinalis) is often grown in the herb garden.

It has been used as a medicine since ancient times. Borage was used as an anti-depressant and even wearing it was thought to make warriors brave in battle - Hence the saying "borage for courage". However the effect was more likely to be due to the wine it was served in.

It was used to relieve pain, as a laxative, an antidote to poison and as with other herbs almost every other medical use you can think of.

More recently borage has been found to contain gamma-linolenic acid in its seeds. This omega 6 fatty acid which can only be obtained from food, is necessary to the body for hair, skin and bone health among other things.

The leaves, stems and flowers of borage are edible. Its leaves have a cucumber-like taste and can be used in salads while the flowers have a sweet taste and can be used for decoration, or frozen in ice cubes to serve in drinks. Its stems may be added to soup. However borage has been found to contain an alkaloid which damages the liver - albeit at a very low level. So it might be safer to consign borage to the flower garden where its electric-blue flowers are irresistible to bees. It has many flowers producing honey at the same time and provides a fresh, new bloom every day to tempt nectar feeding insects.

To establish borage sow the seeds from a packet in spring straight into the garden in a sunny or semi-shaded position. You should only have to sow from a packet once, after that it should take over itself - self sowing freely.
Borage does not transplant well because it has a long tap root.
It needs regular watering until established.
It is easy to pull out if it becomes too enthusiastic.
Borage grows to a height of 50cm to 1m.
It is a companion plant to pumpkin, strawberries and tomatoes.

Borage is also known as starflower.

Springtails and wheatbug are common pests of borage and it is also affected by the fungi stemphyllum and sclerotinia.

As you can see from the photos below, in Auckland's humid summer my plants have been attacked by fungi as well as springtails.

New Zealand Native Hibiscus (hibiscus richardsonii)

2012-01-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

Hibiscus Richardsonii is a small, straggly plant growing from 0.5m to 1m high. It is easy to overlook in the garden UNTIL it develops translucent pods that light up like Chinese lanterns when the sun catches them.

Tightly furled petals appear at the end of a pod and after keeping the gardener in suspense finally the pod opens and a perfect, cream hibiscus flower is revealed, dazzling in the sunshine.

Too soon the flower droops and the pod becomes a seed capsule, but there are plenty more pods on the plant to keep the gardener happy with a succession of blooms.

Hibiscus richardsonii:

Is a native of New Zealand and can be found growing in the wild on the east coast of the North Island from Te Paki to Hicks Bay, Great Barrier Island and Mayor Island.
Is also a native of Queensland, Australia.
Is critically endangered.
Its name in Maori is puarangi. I imagine this might translate as "bloom of heaven" as this would describe the flower very well.
Is a short lived perennial in warm areas or annual in cold climates.
Likes an open sunny position.
Is easily overwhelmed by competing plants.
Seeds freely with long lived seeds. Every so often a native hibiscus pops up in a different location around my garden.

Beneficial Insects: Lemon Tree Borer Parasite (Xanthrocryptus Novozealandicus)

2012-01-29T02:26:00.000-08:00

Female lemon tree borer parasite (xanthrocryptus novozealandicus)

The ichneumon wasp pictured above is a most useful inhabitant of the garden. It is the lemon tree borer parasite (xanthrocryptus novozealandicus).

The female wasp drills into wood with her ovipositor to lay her eggs in the larvae of the destructive lemon tree borer.

Two lemon tree borer parasitic wasps exploring a choko leaf.

The lemon tree borer wasp is a small, slender insect 10 to 20 mm long.

It constantly twitches its feelers backwards and forwards when searching for prey.

The most noticeable thing when it is flying is the bright, white blur of the white bands on its feelers and back legs as it darts about.

This wasp is native to New Zealand but it is also found in Australia and New Guinea.

Beneficial Insects: Long-legged Fly (Dolichopodidae)

2012-01-28T16:09:00.000-08:00

This long-legged fly is one that you want to see in your garden. But with a body length of only 3 to 5mm you need to look carefully to see this tiny, iridescent creature.

It spends its day feeding on pests suchs as thrips, aphids, spider mites and fruit flies.

There are over 130 types of long-legged fly in New Zealand.

The one shown below is austrosciapus connexus introduced from Australia to help fight pests.

Stars of the Summer Garden: Bethel Sage (salvia involucrata "Bethellii")

2012-01-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

Bethel sage flowers from mid-summer through to the beginning of winter. (Longer in mild climates.)

The flowers are large, striking clusters of beetroot coloured balls and tubes.

A long-legged fly resting on a bethel sage leaf . Long legged flies are highly beneficial garden insects.

Its leaves are bright green with stalks and veins the same colour as the flowers.

A newly hatched monarch butterfly sunning on a bethel sage flower.

Bethel sage:

Grows to around 1.5m high x 1m wide.
Grows in full sun to light shade.
Does well in ordinary to moist conditions but will need to be deep watered once a week in very dry summers.
Dies down in winter. The canes can be left on the plant to protect the crown over winter then cut back to ground level at the beginning of spring.

A bumblebee waiting for the day to warm up.

Fuchsia procumbens

2012-01-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

Dainty, bright green, heart shaped leaves cascading down the side of a pot or hanging basket is enough to recommend fuchsia procumbens to any gardener.

Look carefully between the leaves and you will see the plant's unusual yellow flowers tipped with blue pollen.

The photograph below shows two male flowers.

The flowers are followed by bright red fruit the size of olives.

The fruit of the fuchsia procumbens is attractive to birds but you don't have to worry about spreading unwanted weeds - fuchsia procumbens is a New Zealand native.

A female flower is shown in the photograph above.

Fuchsia procumbens:

Is also called creeping fuchsia, native fuchsia, climbing or trailing fuchsia.
Flowers from September to May
Can be used as a ground cover, or in pots or hanging baskets
Grows to a height of 20cms and will spread 1.5m.
Is frost tender and deciduous in colder climates.
Prefers semi shade but is a remarkably adaptable plant and can be grown in most soils and situations including dry shade.

Delightful Dahlias: Photographs

2012-01-21T01:09:00.000-08:00

Dogbane (coleus canina)

2012-01-20T12:36:00.000-08:00

Dogbane (coleus canina) is a native of South Africa It is also known as Scaredy cat or pee-off plant.

The semi-succulent leaves of dogbane give off a pungent but not unpleasant odour when crushed. Not unpleasant to humans that is - Cats and dogs find it repulsive. With their sensitive noses they smell the plant without the leaves being crushed and avoid it.

I tested the pet repelling properties of dogbane on my cat. She certainly wrinkled her nose, looked disgusted and ran off when I crushed some of the leaves and held them out to her.

Dogbane is an interesting addition to the garden apart from its use as an animal repellent.

Before they open a succession of pretty, sky blue petals, its plump, brown blooms resemble spiky insects.

Dogbane flowers throughout spring and summer.

The plant grows to a height of around 40 cms. It spreads by forming roots where its stems touch the ground. Dogbane can be easily grown from cuttings. It prefers a well drained soil. It will grow well in sun or semi-shade. I would recommend a position that avoids the strong midday sun as too much sun and not enough moisture turned the leaves of my plant an orange/grey colour.

Katydid indeed - And was caught in the act!

2012-01-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

The photograph above shows a katydid nymph coyly taste testing a fuchsia leaf.

The katydid must have liked the taste because it ate a large portion.

Undeterred by its audience the unrepentant katydid is looking for another leaf to munch. But that's OK they don't do a lot of damage.

The diet of fuchsia must have suited the katydid because the photograph above shows it one month later as a handsome, still hungry adult.

The photograph below shows a tiny katydid nymph perched atop a prickly thistle bud, using the spines to protect itself from predators.

The next photograph shows a red/pink katydid nymph photographed on 09/01/2011 in my Auckland (NZ) garden.

This is an unusual colour for a katydid.

It is thought the colour is due to a diet of red and pink flowers. They revert to green when they reach maturity.

Oddly I found this one sitting on the red lid of my council wheelie bin. Possibly it was using it for camouflage.

Katydids are named for the sound the American katydid makes by rubbing its forewings together - "Katydid! Katydidn't!" A file like structure on the bottom wing is rubbed against the sharp edge of the top wing. This method of making sound is called stridulation.
Both the male and female sing.
They hear through ears on their front legs below the elbow called tympana.
Alternative names for the katydid are bush crickets (UK) or long-horned grasshoppers.
Katydids belong to the family of Tettigonidaes.
They can be distinguished from other grasshoppers by their long antennae which can exceed their body length by two to three times. This is to help them to navigate in the dark.
Katydids are predominantly nocturnal.

A visit to Ti Point Reptile Park 07/01/2012

2012-01-15T18:05:00.000-08:00

Ti Point Reptile Park is located at 27 Ti Point Rd.,
Leigh - around an hour's drive north of Auckland (NZ).

The park is on the side of a hill with stunning views over the sparkling Hauraki Gulf and off shore islands.

A loop track takes visitors around the reptile enclosures which are set amid native bush.

Apart from the exotic inmates there is an abundance of native bird life in the surrounding bush: Tuis trilling their liquid songs interspersed with their characteristic whirs and clicks, fantails darting down to snatch at insects disturbed by our passage and wood pigeons swooping and diving overhead in a display of agile aerobatics surprising for such large birds.

Every so often a small, brown native skink could be glimpsed darting through the grass.

The photo above shows a wood pigeon sitting high up on the seed head of an agave plant.

The reptile park housed all manner of creatures: Skinks, tortoises, turtles, bearded dragons, tuataras, alligators, some capuchin monkeys, and a huge Galapagos tortoise - at 40 years old with life span in captivity of 150 he is still only a youngster.

The most bizarre and fascinating of the reptiles had to be the Jackson's Chameleons.

Every part of them seemed to move separately.

In the photo below you can see the eyes swivelling while a parrot-like hand reaches towards the camera and the prehensile tail grasps the branch.

The colour of a chameleon changes with its mood rather than for camouflage. Maybe the female chameleon at the left of the next photo is saying "Not tonight I have a headache!" or "Does this colour make me look fat?"

Other creatures that took our fancy were:

The Eastern water dragon;

(What on earth is the one below doing? ....

"Quick, the hare is coming!" ?

"Taxi!" ?)

the dazzling, green giant day gecko - native to Madagascar;

and the yellow footed tortoise showing off his eponymous yellow foot.

Bee Magnets: Bog Sage

2012-01-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

Bog sage is an off-putting enough name but the botanical name salvia uliginosa is even worse. However this plant, with its airy habit and six foot high, almost leafless stems, topped by sky blue flowers that appear to dance in the breeze above the plant, is far from ugly.

The name ulignosa is from Latin and means marshy.

Even this term is slightly misleading. I have two plants, and while one is growing in a damp position, the second plant is growing equally well in normal soil.

Bog sage spreads by underground runners. These are easy to pull out if it has spread too far. Or the runners can be used to propagate further plants.

Each flower head has only a few blooms open at a time and the same flower produces a succession of blooms.

The plant flowers continuously from early summer to late autumn providing a feast for nectar sipping insects that don’t care at all what it is called.

The height of the flower stems is an advantage to butterflies, keeping them safely out of reach of marauding cats.

Honey bees and wool carder bees enter the bog sage flowers though the front but in the photograph below you can see a bumble bee boring a hole in the base of the flower to reach the nectar.