The other Cousin It

I love walking - not specifically for the exercise (although of course, that's a bonus) but rather to have a good stickybeak at other people's gardens. If the gardener is present, that's even better. We might have a chat and perhaps I'll score a cutting or three (either that or perhaps they think I'm some sort of loitering neighbourhood weirdo ;)

Occasionally, I get lucky and stumble upon a jaw-dropping garden I haven't encountered before. This was one such garden, seen on a beachside walk, far away from where I live:

The amazing cascading bronze-tinged foliage plant is Casuarina glauca 'Cousin It' (not to be confused with Acacia cognata 'Mini Cog' - sold under the name 'Cousin Itt' in the US). The silver plant behind is cushion bush Leucophyta brownii. Purple fountain grass, Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' is planted at the bottom of the retaining wall, with our Australian native tuckeroo Cupaniopsis anarcardiodes and variegated New Zealand Christmas bush Metrosideros excelsa 'Variegata' planted as street trees. 

I love the way the bronze highlights of 'Cousin It' match the stonework and timber cladding. I've never seen this plant take on a bronze tinge before - I suspect it is due to stressing from the harsh conditions, or perhaps it is seasonal.

According to Angus Stewart's website, 'Cousin It' copes with a wide range of soils and conditions, from dry to boggy, poorly drained soil as well as heavy frost. It is also useful for erosion control. Angus Stewart is an Australian native plant guru, plant breeder, and ex-presenter on the TV show Gardening Australia. His website is my go-to source for information on Australian native plants- I highly recommend it.

The garden is located one street back from the beach so these plants have to cope with some seriously harsh conditions. It's not surprising to see cushion bush Leucophyta brownii doing so well here. I've seen it growing in habitat, happily hugging hillsides on ragged coastal cliffs:

These pictures were taken at The Twelve Apostles in Victoria, along the Great Ocean Road.

I love all those muted tones with the misty coast in the background
 
I came across the 'Cousin It' garden some time ago, long before I started this blog (I should have taken way more photos). Now that my ankle is fixed and I'm up to walking again, I hope to track it down once more - if I can remember how to find it!

Comments

  1. Kris PetersonJune 12, 2022 at 6:54 PM

    I've only occasionally seen Casaurina 'Cousin It' (as opposed to Acacia 'Cousin Itt') here and I've never seen any sign of that bronze tinge, which is certainly a plus factor. It beautifully fits the garden and the home behind in in the neighborhood setting you photographed. A lot of my garden friends had found Acacia 'Cousin Itt' difficult to grow so, given time, Casuarina may eventually eclipse the latter in popularity.

    I'm glad to hear that your ankle has healed and that you're able to get back to your regular activities!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HorticatJune 12, 2022 at 7:31 PM

      I agree with you re Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' (and its buddy A. cognata 'Limelight'). We sell lots of them at the nursery, but I often hear tales of them just carking it (Aussie for dropping dead) suddenly. Often I think this is because people plant them in poorly-drained soil, which they do not tolerate. Also, many Acacias (though not all) are pretty short-lived generally. I still think its a beautiful plant though and would grow it if I had a spot.

      Delete
  2. HorticatJune 12, 2022 at 7:45 PM

    And thank you, Kris, it’s so good to be able to do things again!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 17, 2022 at 8:08 AM

    When I think "Casuarina", I think a tree. What a surprise "Casuarina glauca 'Cousin It'" is, cascading down the wall. That, and the stunning panoramic view of the ocean: breath taking. Imagine waking up to it every morning.
    Chavli

    ReplyDelete

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