Joe Seals
@backtothenewbasics.bsky.social
Horticulturist, ex-chef, ex-culinary arts instructor, writer.
Author of "Back to the NEW Basics [of gardening]" (https://a.co/d/a1YPIil). Human companion to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Liberal.
Visit my Substack: https://joeseals.substack.com
Author of "Back to the NEW Basics [of gardening]" (https://a.co/d/a1YPIil). Human companion to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Liberal.
Visit my Substack: https://joeseals.substack.com
Thanks. I'm always fascinated by the variation in a grex.
February 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Thanks. I'm always fascinated by the variation in a grex.
Incredibly beautiful.
February 10, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Incredibly beautiful.
Lagerstroemia, CRAPE MYRTLE
February 10, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Lagerstroemia, CRAPE MYRTLE
That looks like Cattleya Tiny Rubies x C. orpetii or similar hybrid.
February 10, 2026 at 2:30 AM
That looks like Cattleya Tiny Rubies x C. orpetii or similar hybrid.
One of my favorite annuals.
February 9, 2026 at 9:08 PM
One of my favorite annuals.
Japanese anemones bloom fall into winter; the milder the winter, the longer they bloom.
February 8, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Japanese anemones bloom fall into winter; the milder the winter, the longer they bloom.
Forgive me, but your first "camellia" sure looks like Eriocapitella x hybrida, the commonly-grown Japanese Anemone. Specifically, the cultivar 'Whirlwind'.
February 8, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Forgive me, but your first "camellia" sure looks like Eriocapitella x hybrida, the commonly-grown Japanese Anemone. Specifically, the cultivar 'Whirlwind'.
A species of Veronica. Probably V. hederifolia or maybe V. sublobata.
February 8, 2026 at 3:37 PM
A species of Veronica. Probably V. hederifolia or maybe V. sublobata.
I, too, suspect they're not an issue in Victoria. It's surprising that it does exist in both WA and Queensland -- states that are so very different in their environments, although both lean toward the mild-winter side.
February 6, 2026 at 3:59 PM
I, too, suspect they're not an issue in Victoria. It's surprising that it does exist in both WA and Queensland -- states that are so very different in their environments, although both lean toward the mild-winter side.
The plant most commonly called tumbleweed in the U.S. is Salsola tragus (also called Russian Thistle"). It's an invasive species from Eurasia; from the family Amaranthaceae. Sagebrush ("sage bush") can refer to any of several species in the genus Artemisia, mostly A. tridentata; family Asteraceae.
February 5, 2026 at 8:39 PM
The plant most commonly called tumbleweed in the U.S. is Salsola tragus (also called Russian Thistle"). It's an invasive species from Eurasia; from the family Amaranthaceae. Sagebrush ("sage bush") can refer to any of several species in the genus Artemisia, mostly A. tridentata; family Asteraceae.
In California, where I grew up and did my hort education, this is most commonly called fortnight lily or African iris. The nursery trade here offers this one as well as another species and several hybrids.
February 5, 2026 at 7:40 PM
In California, where I grew up and did my hort education, this is most commonly called fortnight lily or African iris. The nursery trade here offers this one as well as another species and several hybrids.
I assume you're in Australia. So, I'm guessing Dietes grandiflora, which is commonly called fortnight lily, large wild iris, African iris, or fairy iris. This species is considered an "environmental weed" in parts of Australia, particularly Western Australia and Queensland.
February 5, 2026 at 7:39 PM
I assume you're in Australia. So, I'm guessing Dietes grandiflora, which is commonly called fortnight lily, large wild iris, African iris, or fairy iris. This species is considered an "environmental weed" in parts of Australia, particularly Western Australia and Queensland.
Cedrus atlantica
February 5, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Cedrus atlantica
My favorite is ''Oculata', the white with ink "eye" form.
February 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM
My favorite is ''Oculata', the white with ink "eye" form.
Along a narrow path...
Dog Rose
Yellow Iris
Marsh-marigold
Pendulous Sedge
Cuckooflower
Ragged Robin
And maybe here and there a bit away from the path: Elder
all tolerate some to a lot of shade
Dog Rose
Yellow Iris
Marsh-marigold
Pendulous Sedge
Cuckooflower
Ragged Robin
And maybe here and there a bit away from the path: Elder
all tolerate some to a lot of shade
February 4, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Along a narrow path...
Dog Rose
Yellow Iris
Marsh-marigold
Pendulous Sedge
Cuckooflower
Ragged Robin
And maybe here and there a bit away from the path: Elder
all tolerate some to a lot of shade
Dog Rose
Yellow Iris
Marsh-marigold
Pendulous Sedge
Cuckooflower
Ragged Robin
And maybe here and there a bit away from the path: Elder
all tolerate some to a lot of shade
Botany
Microbiology
Marine Biology
Soil Sciences
Plant Propagation
Microbiology
Marine Biology
Soil Sciences
Plant Propagation
February 3, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Botany
Microbiology
Marine Biology
Soil Sciences
Plant Propagation
Microbiology
Marine Biology
Soil Sciences
Plant Propagation
Clematis cirrhosa var. cirrhosa. Yes, an occasional escape (from gardens) in the UK, particularly Southern England and Guernsey.
February 1, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Clematis cirrhosa var. cirrhosa. Yes, an occasional escape (from gardens) in the UK, particularly Southern England and Guernsey.
Macleania pentaptera?
February 1, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Macleania pentaptera?
Market-bought pandanus plants CAN be grown on indoors. They make fairly decent indoor plants but they need a long transition/adjustment period of several weeks just to get started.
February 1, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Market-bought pandanus plants CAN be grown on indoors. They make fairly decent indoor plants but they need a long transition/adjustment period of several weeks just to get started.
Parmentiera aculeata (Parmentiera edulis). Besides "banana cane," it is known as cow okra, cuajilote, guajilote, huachilote, or pepino kat.
February 1, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Parmentiera aculeata (Parmentiera edulis). Besides "banana cane," it is known as cow okra, cuajilote, guajilote, huachilote, or pepino kat.
We need more farmers like Christina.
January 30, 2026 at 5:43 PM
We need more farmers like Christina.