Hi all - yes, although it takes forever to load, our online extravaganza is certainly a visual splendour! Congrats to all involved. Jaga - I knew that question was coming -about attaching the larger broms to trees. Friends of mine also use large staples over the stolon to attach, with great success. Older brom growers tell me to use old stockings/pantyhose, but I have found more updated material better. Stockings are generally used very heavy-handedly, wrapped around and around the base of plant and tree branch - and then overtime it bleaches whitish, and to my eye, becomes an eyesore. I prefer to make the attaching material as non-obvious as possible, trying to create a more natural effect. After much trial and error, I have found the use of a stretchy fabric called "ribbing" suits my needs best. It is similar to "lycra", and comes in different colours. I buy mine at an outlet called "Spotlight" - something similar in N.Z.? It comes in a circular metre, and one metre at approx. AU$10 will tie over a hundred broms - certainly cheaper than potting mix. I usually get the dark brown ribbing, as this colour blends best with most of the branches of my trees. Sometimes I use a lighter grey, for paler bark. Over time, the tie either wears away, or becomes covered by brom roots. By then the brom is usually self-supported, and subsequent pups root along the branch by themselves, or the original plant on branch supports the stoloniferous types in mid-air. With good quality dressmakers scissors, I cut long strips of ribbing, about 2 -3 cm wide (1 inch), on the stretch warp. When this is stretched, it becomes narrower. The stretchiness gives a tighter tension for a firm hold. I do not use sphagnum moss, or anything else between the brom and the branch. The reason for this is so that when the roots grow, they attach immediately to the host branch/trunk, securing the brom a.s.a.p. Sometimes, the brom can still fall out of tree in strong wind, and although it may have formed roots, it is not directly attached to the tree, and the whole base comes off. The stoloniferous broms are the easiest to attach, and I simply wind the ribbing around the stolon and branch, usually in a crossed formation, and tie firmly with a simple 'reef' knot (right over left and under, left over right and under). If the tie is too obvious, I disguise it with a bit of 'old man's beard'. Attaching non-stoloniferous broms is harder to describe. Often the brom, when removed from its pot, already has an established root system with chunks of bark still attached. I use this extra matter as a base for tying, attaching and winding the ribbing over all sides of the mix and branch. If the branch/trunk is a vertical one, and the brom has many leaves already - eg. an established vriesea - then I usually need to thread the tie between the lower or middle layer of leaves, easily disguised, and tie to the trunk a bit higher than the base, as well as tied at the base. This keeps the brom more upright and supported, and relieves pressure from the base tie - make sense??? It really depends on what you are attaching, and common sense dictates the best way to do it. Another thing - most people think that the 'branch crotches' are best to use - yes they are good, especially for attaching an established brom - but I like the effect of the brom free-standing along the branch, so the form can be viewed unimpeded. Hanwc - I use both pups and established broms in trees. Broms like Ae. blanchetiana are too big and heavy if over half-grown. Up a ladder with only me, a large brom and my two hands, I usually hold the tie/ties in my teeth (!), and often have to use my head to support the brom while I tie it on! Hope this info is of help/interest. Cheers, Tarzan - oops, I mean Kerry :)

I sometimes propagate a few E. regnans and may have some next spring or summer. The tree pictured froze dead in December 2009 after reaching almost 70' tall so I can't really recommend it for most normal Northwest gardeners who don't like giant dead trees. I might have a couple pots of variegated Algerian ivy kicking around; I'll have to check. This plant and Podocarpus salignus did not sustain any damage last winter, so that is nice. Here's a preliminary report of how the eucalyptus fared last winter - I'll be producing a more complete report soon. Eucalyptus acaciiformis [Chiltern Seeds] dead to the ground Eucalyptus acaciiformis [Chiltern Seeds] dead Eucalyptus aggregata [Milligan Seeds] small one dead, big one dead to ground, resprouting Eucalyptus aggregata [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus amygdalina [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus apiculata [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus archeri [Burnt Ridge] heavy leaf burn, but no dieback, also major resprouting Eucalyptus archeri [Celyn Vale?] no damage Eucalyptus archeri x nitens [Milligan Seeds] mostly dead, resprouting at 4' Eucalyptus badjensis [Milligan Seeds] both dead Eucalyptus badjensis [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground Eucalyptus baeuerlenii [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus barberi [Wildseed] frozen to ground, resprouted Eucalyptus bicostata [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus bicostata [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus bicostata [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus bridgesiana dead Eucalyptus bridgesiana [Frank] dead Eucalyptus brookeriana [Milligans] still dead Eucalyptus brookeriana [Milligans] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus brookeriana [Milligans] top dead, resprouting to about 8' up Eucalyptus camphora [Milligan Seeds] defoliated, but releafing throughout Eucalyptus camphora [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus chapmaniana [Milligan Seeds] defoliated, resprouting from about 1' up Eucalyptus cinerea dead Eucalyptus cinerea [California] dead Eucalyptus coccifera [Celyn Vale] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus coccifera [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus coccifera [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground Eucalyptus cordata [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus cordata [Chiltern Seeds] dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus cordata [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus crenulata [Milligan Seeds] about 70% burn, trunk severely split, but no real dieback, looks like it will be fine? Eucalyptus crenulata hybrid [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus crenulata x nitens [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Burnt Ridge] dead to the ground Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] slight tip damage, 20-30% defoliated, resprouting Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] slight tip damage, 20-30% defoliated, resprouting Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus delegatensis [Colvos Creek] 50% burn but branches still alive, ought to make it Eucalyptus delegatensis [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus dendromorpha [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus dives [Milligan Seeds] heavy leaf burn, resprouted at 2' Eucalyptus dunnii [Nindethana] really dead Eucalyptus elliptica [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus elliptica x nitens [Milligan Seeds] (little one) dead to ground, resprouting Eucalyptus elliptica x nitens [Milligan Seeds] (huge one) about 70% dieback, some branches alive? Eucalyptus elliptica x pulverulenta [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus fastigiata [Milligan Seeds] 50% leaf burn. impressed that it's even alive Eucalyptus fastigiata [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus glaucescens [Celyn Vale] trunk split, no other damage Eucalyptus glaucescens [Celyn Vale] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus glaucescens [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus glaucescens [Chiltern Seeds] top dead. Resprouting @ about 8' up Eucalyptus glaucescens? Hybrid [Celyn Vale] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus globulus dead to the ground Eucalyptus goniocalyx? still dead Eucalyptus gregsoniana [Chiltern Seeds] 20% defoliated, trunk split, but ought to be fine Eucalyptus gunnii [no special provenance] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus gunnii [Silverdrop] no damage Eucalyptus gunnii [Silverdrop] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus gunnii var divaricata no damage Eucalyptus hybrid (nicholii x ???) defoliated, resprouting all along trunk to top! Eucalyptus hybrid [parvula x ?] (near gate) dead Eucalyptus johnstonii (hybrid?) [Celyn Vale] 10% leaf burn Eucalyptus johnstonii [Milligans] top dead, resprouting to about 10' up Eucalyptus kartzoffiana [Frank] still dead Eucalyptus kartzoffiana [Frank] still dead Eucalyptus kitsoniana [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus kitsoniana [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus kybeanensis [Celyn Vale] lower lvs/brs dead, but mostly fine Eucalyptus lacrimans [Celyn Vale] died back to trunk, resprouting from 5' up Eucalyptus lacrimans [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus ligustrina [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus macarthurii [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, has resprouted vigorously Eucalyptus macarthurii [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus mannifera dead Eucalyptus mannifera praecox (E. praecox) [Milligan] about 20% leaf burn Eucalyptus mitchelliana [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus mitchelliana [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus moorei [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground Eucalyptus moorei nana dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus morrisbyi [Wildseed Tasmania] all dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus neglecta [Milligan Seeds] 10% leaf burn Eucalyptus neglecta [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus nicholii [Celyn Vale] was cut down before winter, did not resprout Eucalyptus nitens (Chilean landrace) [GIT] dead Eucalyptus nitens [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus nitens [Victoria BC] dead Eucalyptus nitens [Victoria BC] dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus nitida [Celyn Vale?] dead Eucalyptus nova-anglica [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus obliqua [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus ovata? Yarraensis? [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus paliformis [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus parvula [Celyn Vale] about 30% burn to lower lvs Eucalyptus parvula [Chiltern Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus parvula x nitens [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus parvula x pulverulenta [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus pauciflora [Mt. Buffalo] no damage Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp pauciflora [Milligan Seeds] dead to ground, resprouting Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei [Milligans] some damage to trunk/bark, top still growing fine Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora [Chiltern Seeds] 70% leaf burn, trunk cracked, but top keeps growing Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora [Milligan Seeds] one undamaged. The other dead to ground, resprouting Eucalyptus perriniana (mainland form) [Milligan Seeds] 60% burn Eucalyptus perriniana (Tasmania) [Burnt Ridge] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus perriniana [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus perriniana Tas. Form [Milligan Seeds] 30-40% leaf burn, ought to be fine Eucalyptus pulverulenta [Celyn Vale] defoliated, resprouted to 9' up trunk Eucalyptus quadrangulata dead Eucalyptus radiata [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus radiata [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus regnans [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus regnans [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus retinens [Frank] still dead Eucalyptus rodwayi linear juv lvs [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus rodwayi round juv lvs [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus rubida [Celyn Vale] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus rubida [Chiltern Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus rubida [Frank] dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus rubida [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus rubida x nitens [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus rubida x viminalis [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus scoparia [Forestfarm] dead Eucalyptus sp. aff lacrimans [Celyn Vale] 20% leaf burn Eucalyptus sp. was supposed to be saxatilis [Milligans] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus stellulata [Chiltern Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus subcrenulata [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus subcrenulata [Milligan Seeds] 60% leaf burn, regrowing throughout Eucalyptus subcrenulata [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus urnigera (Mt. Field, Tas) [Frank] mixed: some dead, resprouting; some fine Eucalyptus urnigera [Luke Isham] 90% burn, top half is dead, ought to recover Eucalyptus urnigera [Milligan Seeds? Not sure] dead Eucalyptus urnigera x dalrympleana [Celyn Vale] minor leaf burn, no real damage Eucalyptus urnigera x nitens [Milligan Seeds] 50% defoliation, top regrowing, and resprouting at base Eucalyptus v.was supposed to be vernicosa but too big no damage Eucalyptus v.was supposed to be vernicosa but too big no damage Eucalyptus viminalis [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus viminalis [Chiltern] dead to the ground Eucalyptus volcanica [Frank] dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus williamsiana still dead Eucalyptus youmanii [Milligan Seeds] both dead now, one resprouting from base

Why take the risk? Macbirch, I understand exactly what you're saying. Planting natives does sometimes/often seem like a risk because we just don't have the collective knowledge about natives as we do exotics. About 2 years ago, I wanted to plant a hedge along the boundary between my native garden and my neighbour's property. I really liked the idea of using waratahs, but at that stage I'd never tried to grow one, and, since you don't see them around that much, thought they must be difficult. I decided not to take the risk and planted callistemons instead, at least they where natives. Anyway, I've since had great success growing 2 waratahs (even moved one), so I've decided to take out the callistemons, which aren't getting enough sun anyway, and replace them with waratahs. My point is that if I'd had the confidence in the first place, and got some decent advice from my local nursery, I wouldn't be now, 2 years down the track, going to all the work and expense of replacing the callistemons with what is afterall, a plant indigenous to the Blue Mountains! You'd think there'd be a waratah nursery here wouldn't you? No, I have to drive 40 minutes just to get to a native nusery, and that looks like it could close down any time soon. Waz, young people like you are the key. I hope you never grow exotics, never learn about them or decide you like them. Oh, and I hope you and Artie continue to be outspoken about people like me who grow roses. If I build another house and start a garden from scratch, things will be different.

Sorry. The other plants in your garden are probably more frost hardy and can withstand the sun shinning on them before the frost has melted. Often a plant with boderline hardiness can still be grown if it can be positioned where it doesn't get the sun until a bit later in the day. Years ago, you'd often see people outside, in their pyjamas, hosing the frost off plants before the sun reached them, but of course those days are now gone. You might be saying that you have several of the same type of grevillea and are asking why you've lost some but not others? Well, I've found that even a few metres can be the difference between death and survival, especially if your garden is on a slope. Also nearness to a fence, a building, or some other structure can make a difference. I'm afraid there is always the possibility that you will lose more of the same grevillea as winter progresses. Sometimes plants just burn from frost and don't actually die. In this case it is important not to remove the burnt bits as they protect the rest of the plant. So wait until after the last frost before tidying up. Often a plant which is susceptible to frost when young will become more hardy as it matures. All very complicated I know, but I hope it's been of some help.