Melissa King

Garden Guru, Presenter and author of Gardening Feast

Wollemi Pine

“This Christmas I thought it would be wonderful to adorn a living piece of history, the Wollemi Pine, with fragrant Christmas Lilies surrounded by potted fiery red petunias for a festive splash of colour. It is easy to use your favourite flowers and plants in a way that brings greenery and life into the house. Happy festive season!” Melissa.

Brendan Moar
Landscape Architect and Host of Moar Gardening

Eucalypt

“My favourite Chrissy tree is a collection of beautiful eucalypt branches sourced from the paddock and bound together with galvanised tie wire. The foliage of the Eucalypts would be judiciously pruned to a rough pyramid shape and THEN decorated with a few decorations made from more galvanised wires, for instance baubles of wire rolled up like a ball of wool and stars made from wire. It’s amazing what you can find in your own backyard! Have a great Xmas!” Brendan.

Jamie Durie

Landscape Designer, Horticulturist and Presenter.

Australian native “Woolly Bush” Adenathos Sericea

“The wonderful thing about our country is we’ve got a plant for every occasion.
Rather than encouraging exotic plants into our garden, why not use the Australian Native equivalent for our Christmas tree. I love its fluffy foliage and its classic shape.
Happy Christmas.” Jamie.

Linda Ross
Landscape Architect, Radio Broadcaster and Garden Writer.

Frangipani Picea Abies ‘Albertiana Conica’ adorned with Frangipani flowers.

“I love the Picea Abies ‘Albertiana Conica’ and will decorate it with Frangipanis this Christmas. I’ll start by planting it in a beautiful pot and then decorate it with fresh Frangipanis from my backyard tree. Bringing these outdoor plants indoors will allow the lovely aroma to waft through the house! Season’s Greetings!” Linda.

Josh Byrne

Environmental Scientist and Presenter on Gardening Australia.

Corymbia ficifolia (Western Australia Red Flowering Gum)

“To give an Australian theme to Christmas this year I would use the Corymbia ficifolia ‘Living Legend’. It’s a true dwarf type only growing to 2m and it’s a great garden feature throughout the year, even in the smallest of gardens and it can be
brought inside and decorated for Christmas. I’d decorate it with various homemade decorations to be made by the kids next door from recycled bits and pieces to give it an organic and whimsical flair. Happy Holidays!” Josh.

Andrew O’Sullivan
Landscape Designer and Environmental Consultant.

Artificial tree gets new life

“This Christmas, I suggest bringing new life to an old treasure. By sourcing an old, traditional artificial Christmas tree from the home, you can pot it with soil. Around the base, plant festive coloured Bromeliads from your garden or nursery that have red centres with green foliage. For the tinsel, decorate with 'old man's beard '- Tillandsia, which is an air plant and traditionally can grow without water. There is a range of coloured Tillandsia in shapes or stars and baubles, which would feature nicely over the tree. After the season, re-plant your Bromeliads in the garden for ongoing flowering! Merry Christmas.” Andrew.

Meredith Kirton

Gardening Australia presenter and author of Dig, Plot, and an hour in the Garden.

Grevillea ‘Lemon Delight’

“I like using second hand pots because they already have a lovely patina. This native Grevillea ‘Lemon Delight’ comes with its own floral decoration, but I’ve added lights and presents of course. Happy planting this holiday season!” Meredith.