The following is a list of vegetables you can plant in July in Sydney, a temperate zone, (just click on the link for the growing guide for each vegetable)
Plant of the Month – The beautiful Pieris Japonica
Pieris japonica, the Japanese andromeda or Japanese pieris, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family, Ericaceae.
It is a medium sized, woody, broad leaf evergreen shrub native to eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan growing to 1–4 m tall and 2-2.5 m wide. There are also dwarf cultivars available.
Its leaves are arranged alternately in a rosette around the stem and are simple, obovate to oblanceolate in shape, 3 to 9 cm long. They are leathery and dark green in colour above while light green on the underside.
New growth is bronze or red and turning green as the leaves mature,
Pieris japonica flowers from early to late spring. In Sydney, with its warmer climate these pictures were taken in July and some in September.
The floral buds generally mature in late summer and are attractive in autumn and winter.
Pieris japonica has showy inflorescences that form at the ends of the branches. These are 10cm long drooping racemes of fragrant, white or pink urn-shaped flowers.
Each flower is about 5 to 6 mm long. The flowers usually last two or three weeks.
The flower of the Pieris japonica is made up of five calyx lobes that are valvate. It has five corolla lobes that are waxy and urceolate. Each flower has 10 stamens.
Cultivation:
Growing Site and Soil:
Select a site in sun to part-shade. If summers have extreme heat, select a site with morning sun with afternoon shade. Although Pieris japonica can tolerate shade flowering will be reduced.
Soil should be well drained and rich in organic matter. The Pieris japonica needs an acid soil with a pH under 6.0 so test the soil and amend it accordingly. It will grow well amongst camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas that also require acidic conditions.
Water:
Pieris japonica are shallow-rooted shrubs that should be watered regularly until they are established. Mulching the plants will prevent evaporation. Make sure to keep the mulch away from the trunk.
When mature, water as required according to the conditions and climate and when rainfall is low. Over watering the soil will lead to root rot.
If planting in pots, set them on risers rather than on saucers and add perlite to the quality Camellia and Azalia potting mix to ensure good drainage.
Fertilizing:
Fertilize Pieris japonica in late spring to early summer with the same plant food as azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons.
The beautiful Pieris japonica will make a wonderful specimen in your garden or mass planted for special effect.
Note:
The flowers, nectar and leaves of the Pieris japonica are poisonous to humans and domestic pets like cats and dogs so care must be taken in the garden when selecting a site.
The Grantham Gardener 