Better Homes and Gardens Australia August 2021

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You see, while summer can be all about the thrill of an outdoor grill, things slow down at this time of year, as we embrace casseroles, stews and succulent roasts – like the juicy Greek lamb on our cover. Melt-in-the-mouth and marinated to perfection, it’s oh-so easy to cook — just prep and pop in the oven. It’s the perfect intro to our slow-cooking recipes (page 64) – and yes, they include dessert! As for our table setting ideas (page 98), you’ll be inspired to serve your meals with contemporary flair — be it a formal or more casual affair. Of course, cool weather is also a prime time to turn up the heat in your garden, with proteas and pincushions in fiery shades of red and yellow (page 14), variegated…

1 GET A WINTER GLOW The red pagoda bush (Mimetes cucullatus) is often the forgotten member of this family, but it should be a star. Unusually beautiful, colourful all year and easy to grow, you should find a place for it in your garden. It’s time for a sweet treat, so feast on the glory of sugar bushes as proteas and their kissing cousins put on their annual winter show. Choose from the vibrant pink or red bracts of proteas, the flamboyant stamens of pincushion bushes, exciting red pagoda plants or the brilliantly coloured, flower-like bracts of leucadendrons. Or, choose them all for a sizzling family shindig. You’ll have long-lasting flowers popping out from winter through to summer – so many you can even cut them for longer-lasting displays indoors. 2 PLANT THIS…

A frican violets are plush and lush, with velvety leaves and jewel-like blooms that add a touch of elegance to any room in your home. While the abundance of huge leaves will soften any hard edges, the colours of the flowers range from wondrous to wow! Position one on a corner table now and soon you won’t be able to resist building a collection. 1 TWO’S GREAT COMPANY To improve the humidity surrounding your African violet, pair it with another one. Their leaves release moisture via respiration and the plants thrive on it. Plus, the arrangement is more dynamic! GET MINGLING RELEGATE THESE TO A QUIET CORNER AND YOU’LL SOON BE HAVING A PARTY! 2 CHECK OUT THE FANTASTIC FOLIAGE If you want, you can choose your African violet for its leaves – although the…

Most African violet flowers come in pinks, purples, blues and red, as single, double or semi-double petal arrangements. Standards are 20-45cm wide, but you can also get miniatures that grow about 15cm wide. New varieties available include: ‘HEINZ’S LITTLE NUGGET’ Semi-mini with semi-double, purple-blue petals and a white eye. ‘RED DELICIOUS’ Standard with semi-double, dark-red petals and a white centre. ‘RHAPSODIE GISELA’ Standard with single, white ruffled petals and dark pink centres. ‘FLUTTERBY’ Standard with single, frilly pink petals, white margins and variegated leaves. ‘RDS KAREN’ Standard with single, deep-blue petals with white margins. ‘SERENITY’ Standard with double, white petals with pale-blue tinges. ‘IRISH CASTLES’ Standard with double, white-frilled petals fringed with green. ‘SNOW ROSE’ Standard with double, burgundy-red/white-edged petals. These suggestions are from The African Violet Association of Australia. There are societies in most states and territories that…

African violets have developed a reputation for being difficult – for suddenly curling up their leaves and dying. But it’s got nothing to do with them being finicky or fragile. In fact, an African violet can live in your home for as long as you do and put out fabulous flowers almost constantly. The plants’ survival is not only due to more vigorous hybrids available these days, but also to the way you care for them. Get their environment right, and they’ll hang around forever! CONTAINERS Plastic pots are preferable to terracotta pots because plastic doesn’t absorb moisture as clay does. And, because African violet roots grow out rather than down – and actually enjoy being pot-bound – go for a squat pot. GROWING MEDIUM The growing medium should be as light as possible…