Why are many of these plants grafted?
There are three major reasons why we graft many of these beautiful plants:
- To grow them onto related SE Australian plants (rootstocks) that have a natural inbuilt resistance to local soil pathogens.
- Many of these plants normally only grow in very specific soil and drainage conditions that are impossible to replicate away from their natural habitat. However the rootstocks chosen will grow well in a remarkable range of soil types and conditions, obviating the need for any special soil preparation.
- We carefully select the best examples of these plants from the wild, so only the very best forms are propagated and sold to gardeners.
Most of these grafted plants will grow in SE Australia ungrafted. However most have no natural resistance to soil pathogens that naturally inhabit SE Australian soils. This mainly applies to the wetter coastal areas. Consequently ungrafted plants may die in a short time as they succumb to the local soil pathogens.
In the inland areas, ungrafted plants may die from root rot because of poorly drained heavy clay soils, typical of most of the Western Sydney and Canberra region. Many good Australian plants that are generally not grafted will need raised beds to give better drainage anyway to thrive in heavy clay conditions.
Only those plants that need to be grafted to survive for reasons of pathogens or drainage are. The end result is that grafted plants can live much longer, be healthier and give better displays than their non-grafted equivalent in the SE Australian environment.
At Tarrawood Nursery we have been selecting the very best Australian plants for SE Australian gardens over the last 8 years. We have used grafting where necessary to give longevity and value for money to customers, for plants assessed with special requirements.
The basis on which we select plants include the following
- Uniqueness and beauty, either as a species or a select form that is new to the trade
- Reliable in propagation and in gardens
- Gives excellent floral displays with good form and habit
- Does not require much or any supplementary water once established
- Have a good label that will attract and inform customers
- Are suitable for smaller drier gardens