REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney, streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

TROPICAL GARDENS FOR A COOL CLIMATE

Temperate regions like Tasmania and mountainous regions in Victoria and New South Wales.

Tropical-look cool climate rainforest.

 Montane rainforests are like tropical gardens in cool temperate areas, so it’s not such a stretch to consider planting or designing with the tropical look.

Let’s find out about tropical gardens for cool climates. I'm talking with Garden Designer Louise McDaid.

Montane rainforests have quite a lot of year-round rainfall, are mostly above 3,300 feet, or 1,000 metres but with a good amount of rainfall and mostly have a canopy layer but don’t have the year-round warmth and sunlight associated with tropical rainforests

It’s important to remember that windbreaks and creating microclimates will help establish large leaved plants that might not thrive or do that well to start off with. But with a bit of planning, I’m sure you can get that tropical look for your mountain garden. Close planting is the key, and layering.

If you have any questions about creating tropical gardens drop us a line to realworldgardener@gmail.com

All information will be posted on the website atwww.realworldgardener.com

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney, streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

WILDLIFE IN FOCUS

RED WATTLEBIRD

Gardens are a particular favourite of this medium sized nectar feeding wattlebird.



Red wattlebird



One of the second largest, weighing  of it’s type,110grams, these birds make a typical clucking sound not unlike that of chickens and have a yellow underbelly with red cheek patches.

The biggest wattlebird is the yellow wattlebird and only lives in Tasmania. The red wattlebird lives mostly in the southern areas of Australia, but that includes New South Wales except for inland.

You might see one or two around Brisbane as well.

Are they coming to visit your garden or neighbourhood?

Let’s find out ? I'm talking with Dr Holly Parsons Manager of Birds in Backyards.

The red wattlebird is a mottled browny-white with little globs of red called 'wattles' below the cheek.

Red Wattlebird photo Birds in Backyards

Not named after it’s penchant for hanging around Wattle trees, but for the red flap or wattle on each side of its face, a bit like that of chickens and turkeys.

This bird also has a yellow belly and a reddish eye when it's mature.

FACT CHECK: Nectar is a large par of any honeyeaters diet and you might find information on the web that wattlebirds have a brush tipped tongue.

That’s not correct, but is as Holly said, just a fairly long tongue that’s good for slurping up the nectar with the aid of a long curved bill for probing the flowers.

If you have any questions about red wattlebirds or any other birds or have some information to share, drop us a line to realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675