Correa glabra 'Coliban River' - Coliban River Rock Fuchsia

Correa glabra 'Coliban River' (Coliban River Rock Fuchsia) - A small shrub to 3 to 4 feet tall by equal width with dense forest green foliage and pale greenish-yellow pendant lantern-shaped flowers from winter through summer. Plant in full coastal sun to shade and adaptable to most soil types. Moderately drought tolerant but best with occasional summer water. Cold hardy to at least 24 and reportedly tolerant of coastal conditions. Makes a great foundation plant or border shrub with unusual colored flowers. This plant was selected in 1986 from the wild near Coliban River at Kyneton, Victoria by Doug Pocock of Bindelong Nursery in Wandin North, Victoria. It was selected for its small dense habit with the usual form for the species as normally much larger. A 2011 Australian Plant Introduction from U.C. Santa Cruz Arboretum and Koala Blooms. This description is based on our research of Correa glabra 'Coliban River' and our observations of it growing in the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We would appreciate getting feedback from anyone who has any additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written.

Acacia cognata Cousin Itt ['Mini Cog'] PPAF - Little River Wattle

Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' (Little River Wattle) - A low growing mounding form of the River Wattle, Acacia cognata, with tight growth to 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 to 6 feet wide with light green, sometimes red tinged, new growth that matures to a rich emerald green. This plant has not been noted in bloom but likely would have the very pale yellow flowers of the species. Plant in full sun to part shade in a well drained soil. Once established it will require only occasional irrigation. The literature lists it hardy to 15 but we feel that the tips likely will freeze at 20-25F as with the species but this likely will not be as damaging as it is to the tree form and serve as a light pruning on this shrub form. When growing in a container fertilize with a low or coated phosphorus product. This plant will not get out of bounds but does reportedly respond well to a light tip pruning. A great plant for an informal mounding small shrub along a dry steam bed, rock garden, tumbling down a slope or as a large potted specimen. It was a compact seedling selection made in 2000 by Peter Goldup of Bushland Flora of Mt Evelyn, Victoria Australia from a batch of seedlings of Acacia cognata. The seed parent is characterized as a typically tall plant. This plant was first released in Australia as Acacia cognata 'Mini Cog' but is making its debut in the US under the marketing name Cousin Itt by Ball Ornamental Plants. Images courtesy of Bushland Flora and Ball Ornamental Plants. This description is based on our research of Acacia cognata Cousin Itt ['Mini Cog'] and our observations of it growing in the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We would appreciate getting feedback from anyone who has any additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written.

AQIS Plant Introduction Form

　　"Why have I been asked to fill in this form?"
AQIS regulates all plant material imported into Australia. Each year, AQIS receives a large number of applications to import various plant species from all over the world. Many of these species have been imported before and AQIS has developed import conditions to enable their safe introduction. These species and their import conditions are contained in the AQIS electronic quarantine database – ICON (www.aqis.gov.au/icon).
AQIS regulates plant imports by way of a permitted list, which was formally adopted on the 7th July 1998. When an importer submits an application to import propagative material (seed or nursery stock) of a species that is not contained in ICON (or is listed in ICON as "prohibited until assessed"), AQIS forwards this information to Plant Biosecurity who conducts an assessment of the species. Plant Biosecurity Australia develops appropriate import conditions before the species can be imported and released from quarantine.
The agreed pre-entry screening method for new plant imports is called the Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) system. The WRA system is used on all new plant imports whether they enter Australia as seeds, nursery stock or tissue culture and regardless of country of origin.
"How do I fill in the form?"
In most cases, you will need to complete a separate AQIS Plant Introduction Form for each species requiring assessment. However, where there are different species or varieties that are very similar, you may place them on the same form. Environment Australia as well as a wide range of client groups endorsed this system of assessment. The implementation of the WRA system is a component of the National Weed Strategy and was funded in part by monies arising from the Natural Heritage Trust.
"Why should I bother?"
If you have been asked to complete the AQIS Plant Introduction Form, you should note that it is in your best interests to fill in the form as accurately and completely as possible. AQIS receives many applications to import plant species that require assessment and this assessment represents a significant demand on AQIS's resources. Import applications accompanied by an AQIS Plant Introduction Form that is properly filled in can be assessed more quickly.
This form is used to gain information on the general growth characteristics of the species and also to determine whether the plant possesses certain attributes, which could increase the likelihood of it becoming a weed in Australia. Based on the assessment of the information provided, AQIS will either (a) permit the plant to be imported subject to certain conditions, (b) refuse permission for the plant to be imported, or (c) require further assessment of the species while in quarantine.
Plants that are already present in Australia, either widely distributed or commercially available in significant quantities in Australia, still require assessment, but the final result will take the occurrence in Australia into account.
The form consists of four parts - Sections A, B, C, and D. You must complete all four sections. Where you are required to complete forms for more than one species you may complete Section A (Applicant's Details) on just one form only.
Use the "Don't know" box as little as possible so that AQIS does not have to ask you to provide further information. Also, feel free to clarify or qualify your answers by writing comments anywhere on the form.
Finally, make sure all written answers and comments are printed neatly and clearly.
"Is there any other information that I should provide?"
Yes, references will help the speed of the assessment! As part of the assessment process, AQIS/Plant Biosecurity must verify the accuracy of your responses on the form. Information from independent sources that substantiates your responses will facilitate this and will reduce the assessment time accordingly.
Independent sources include papers from scientific journals, botanical textbooks and gardening books. Also of use would be information supplied by botanical gardens, CSIRO, departments of agriculture or universities etc. AQIS will also accept information from independent sources overseas such as foreign government authorities and universities. Information from these sources must be supplied on the official letterhead of the organisation concerned.

Colourful Pansies for your bedding plant displays this winter

　　With autumn coming to an end and with winter looming over your garden don’t lose your summer and autumn colour to the cold weather, look instead towards our wide collection of pansies to fill your garden with their colourful faces all winter!

These surprisingly hardy plants are great for filling gaps in your borders, trailing in hanging baskets or brightening up your patio. Our variety of Pansies can be purchased as either plug plants, super and jumbo ready plants or seeds. Our Pansies were a huge success with customers in July and August proving Pansy Can Can to be especially popular.
Feature writer for Jersey Plants Direct Christine Walkden recognizes the Pansies’ popularity by saying- “the Pansies are great value for money and the mix of colours’ in the Can Can is just great.”
Gardening expert Denis Shaw identifies our Pansy Grande Fragrance as being both brilliantly strong in colour and scent by advising - “The large colourful flowers will cheer up any border and you won’t need to get on your hands and knees to enjoy their scent as they are equally attractive in window boxes as in low borders.”

Our Pansy autumn bedding plants are nurtured until they are ready to be dispatched up until the end of October. On arrival they are ready to be grown on or planted straight out as you choose. At Jersey Plants Direct we aim to make planting as easy as possible, here are a few tips to enable your Pansies to withstand those winter months-
1.Pansies are hardy plants but you can help them along by making sure they are planted in an area where they will gain full sun or partial shade allowing them to be as healthy as possible during winter.
2.Plant Pansies in a rich, moist soil with good drainage. To help your pansies flourish and increase drainage make sure your soil is gritty and rich in organic compost.
3.Here at Jersey Plants Direct, we know that Pansies like most bedding plants, look better closer together, but please remember spacing your Pansies will in turn achieve healthy plants through good air circulation.
4.As it says above, Pansies thrive in moist soil- but be careful not to over-water your Pansies which will cause dramatic and even deadly results as the winter weather rolls in. Over-watering in winter doesn’t allow plants time to dry throughout the day and can cause root rot.
Hanging baskets are an attractive alternative way to present your Pansies; we recommend our Pansy Cascadia with trailing habits that will create a flowing spectrum of colours in your garden. Along with hanging baskets, Pansies are perfect for bringing your patio and window ledges to life and can easily be planted in patio containers and window boxes.
Seeds can be purchased in our Pansy Can Can, Pansy Grande Fragrance and Pansy Galore varieties. But you had better be quick, seeds need to be sown before the end of the month. All our seeds are dispatched within 10 days of receipt order to help you plant them as quickly as possible this autumn. Planting seeds proves a little more challenging than planting our garden ready plants, but all seed orders come with simple instructions for planting perfect Pansies.
Enjoy your Autumn garden and make the most of these beautifully cheerful bedding plants.