PLANT OF THE WEEK
Botanic name: Lantana montevidensis
Common name: creeping lantana, mauve/purple lantana, trailing lantana
Family: Verbenaceae
Origin: native to South America
Spread: Can spread to 3m if supported, but generally bank on half that
Height: 300mm
Lantana montevidensis is an evergreen shrub with trailing branches that has an abundance of brightly coloured flowers most of the year, but beautifully in flower now.
Growing conditions: well-drained fertile soils in a sunny or partially shaded area
Diseases: white fly and spider mite
Control: white fly (not really a fly, more of an aphid) NEEM Oil or physically remove by giving the foliage a heavy spray from the hose early mornings
Control: spider mite. Same as above, but use NatraSoap spray
Maintenance: regular pruning to promote new growth and subsequent flowers. Prune hard once a year, normally when frosts have finished or if plant is really looking leggy.
Where can I see it? Inland Botanic Gardens, Buronga
MAINTAINING YOUR TIMBER DECK
Simple method of cleaning down your hardwood timber deck:
* Check nail heads are recessed and if not counter sink them and replace as needed
* Apply a water-based detergent/degreaser to the deck
* Scrub the deck and wash down with a high-pressure washer on spray mode
* Oxalic acid will remove water stains and timber bleed
* When clean, allow to dry and lightly sand to remove only bur left from pressure wash. Sanding heavily over nails, screws will remove galvanised/anodised coating and open them up to corrosion
* Now ready to reseal or seal for the first time
* Match existing sealer or I like to use Cabots decking oil
* You may even like to leave you timber in the buff raw. This is fine and can look great
* When planning a deck, try not to have gravel paths leading directly to them
Horticulturist Tom Fagan runs Tara Landscaping in Red Cliffs
