Latest news with #Geranium
ABC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Tiny SA town buys disused primary school for $1.10, transforms it into op shop
If you have travelled along South Australia's Mallee Highway, there is a good chance you have driven past the tiny township of Geranium. Standing on the sleepy main street, there are remnants of what used to be a vibrant and bustling primary school. But beyond the bitumen road and through weathered school gates, a resident is putting smiles on people's faces one clothing rack at a time through her new opportunity shop. Set to the sound of a crackly Neil Diamond record, local of 40 years Marg Smith has made it her mission to turn sadness into spirit and help Geranium blossom once again. When Geranium Primary School closed its doors three years ago due to dwindling enrolment numbers, it shut a century-old chapter for the region. What was once a busy country town with one of the state's largest area schools now has a population of just over 80 residents. "My husband and our five children all went to school here, and I was [working] here when it closed, so it was tough." But through the hardships, Ms Smith has reinvigorated the space and turned an old design and tech room into a welcoming place for all. "The primary school was transferred to the community for $1.10 as an in-kind gesture from the state government … I think the 10 cents was for GST," Ms Smith chuckled. Since opening its doors just over a month ago, the store has welcomed people from far and wide. Interstate traveller Annette Swaby stumbled across the store accidentally. "We were travelling from Murray Bridge back home to Bairnsdale, Victoria when we came across the Geranium Op Shop," she said. "The people here are so friendly and nice, and it has been so delightful." Pinnaroo local Rita Francis travelled to Geranium for a special visit. After chatting with Ms Smith, the two women soon realised they had both grown up in the same village in Papua New Guinea. "How's that!" Ms Smith gasped. "I always used to love going to op shops because you just never knew what you might find, and now here in Geranium, you don't know who's going to walk through the door. While most of the money raised for the store will go towards facility maintenance and helping grow the community hub, Ms Smith hopes she can also donate funds to causes close to her heart. Ms Smith hopes the op shop will continue to lift up the community even as the town's numbers dwindle. "[The] primary school was once the focal place for Geranium, and now it's coming around full circle," she said. "I think we're a gem and a treasure. "We are small and we're getting smaller but just like Dr Seuss says, 'A person's a person, no matter how small' and so I think a community is a community, no matter how small."
Scottish Sun
06-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Amazon is selling a pretty £5 plant that doesn't need watering in summer – it flowers for months & thrives in the shade
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Scroll down to see what other garden bargains you can snap up this summer GROW FOR IT Amazon is selling a pretty £5 plant that doesn't need watering in summer – it flowers for months & thrives in the shade Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AMAZON is selling a blooming great bargain just in time for summer that will transform your garden. Green-fingered shoppers can snap up these pretty plants to brighten up your outdoor spaces from now all the way through to autumn. 2 Amazon is selling a pretty plant that will transform your garden for a bargain price Credit: Amazon 2 The plant is a great low-maintenance option this summer Credit: Amazon Amazon is selling a pack of three Hardy Geranium "Vision Violet" Large Plug Plants for as little as £15. The product comes as a pack of three "plug plants" for potting, working out at a bargain £5 per plant. The online retailer says the Geranium produces "masses of dark violet-pink flowers from June to October" and "the dark green leaves turn orange-red for Autumn". The description reads: "A new Geranium sanguineum hybrid and very worthy of a place in the family. "It has shrubby, bushy growth with masses of dark violet-pink flowers all summer. "It is very easy to grow, ultra hardy and makes great ground cover, whilst being very floriferous too." Hardy geraniums are low-maintenance and long-flowering perennials that can bloom for months from spring and need very little care. Its recommended the geraniums be planted in any moist but well-drained soil. The plants don't require frequent watering, preferring low to moderate moisture and are generally drought-tolerant. They thrive in the sun or in the shade and are fantastic for pollinators such as bees and hoverflies, say Gardeners World. Some of them flower until the first frosts, providing a long season of nectar and pollen. They need very little care and pests such as slugs, snails and even rabbits will eat other plants in preference. What's more is that they're perfect for growing at the front of borders or in containers on the patio. The geraniums can be cut right back to the ground after their first flush of flowers. 'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants' They'll grow right back too, producing fresh foliage and more flowers in the same summer. If you're looking for other plants for your garden this summer, Aldi is set to launch a pretty £3 plant that flowers every week until September. Their butterfly lavender can be yours for only £3.79 each from Thursday, June 12. Not only will it brighten up your garden, but it'll also fill the air with a sweet scent for months, attracting bees. Lidl is also launching a new garden plant range with flowers starting from just £1.99. The budget blooms start from just £1.99 and are already hitting the famous middle aisle, with more due to land in stores later this week – just in time for the sunny season. From Friday, 7 June, shoppers can pick up gorgeous flowering plants that will brighten your outdoor space from late spring all the way through to autumn, meaning you'll get plenty of bang for your buck.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Amazon is selling a pretty £5 plant that doesn't need watering in summer – it flowers for months & thrives in the shade
AMAZON is selling a blooming great bargain just in time for summer that will transform your garden. Green-fingered shoppers can snap up these pretty plants to brighten up your outdoor spaces from now all the way through to autumn. Advertisement 2 Amazon is selling a pretty plant that will transform your garden for a bargain price Credit: Amazon 2 The plant is a great low-maintenance option this summer Credit: Amazon Amazon is selling a pack of three The product comes as a pack of three "plug plants" for potting, working out at a bargain £5 per plant. The online retailer says the Geranium produces "masses of dark violet-pink flowers from June to October" and "the dark green leaves turn orange-red for Autumn". The description reads: "A new Geranium sanguineum hybrid and very worthy of a place in the family. Advertisement Read more Fabulous news "It has shrubby, bushy growth with masses of dark violet-pink flowers all summer. "It is very easy to grow, ultra hardy and makes great ground cover, whilst being very floriferous too." Hardy geraniums are low-maintenance and long-flowering perennials that can bloom for months from spring and need very little care. Its recommended the geraniums be planted in any moist but well-drained soil. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous The plants don't require frequent watering, preferring low to moderate moisture and are generally drought-tolerant. They thrive in the sun or in the shade and are fantastic for pollinators such as bees and hoverflies, say Some of them flower until the first frosts, providing a long season of nectar and pollen. They need very little care and pests such as slugs, snails and even rabbits will eat other plants in preference. Advertisement What's more is that they're perfect for growing at the front of borders or in containers on the patio. The geraniums can be cut right back to the ground after their first flush of flowers. 'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants' They'll grow right back too, producing fresh foliage and more flowers in the same summer. If you're looking for other plants for your garden this summer, Advertisement Their butterfly lavender can be yours for only £3.79 each from Thursday, June 12. Not only will it brighten up your garden, but it'll also fill the air with a sweet scent for months, Lidl is also launching a new garden plant range with flowers starting from just £1.99. The budget blooms start from just £1.99 and are already hitting the famous middle aisle, with more due to land in stores later this week – just in time for the sunny season. Advertisement From Friday, 7 June, shoppers can pick up gorgeous flowering plants that will brighten your outdoor space from late spring all the way through to autumn, meaning you'll get plenty of bang for your buck. The 5 best flowers to help bees to thrive Nature experts at Faith In Nature have shared the 5 best flowers Brits can plant in their gardens to help bees thrive. Rebecca Miller, Fabulous' Associate Editor and keen gardener explains why "bees are brilliant". "They are vital. They pollinate our food and play a crucial role in our ecosystem. But climate change, the increasing use of pesticides and loss of habitat means bees are endangered. No matter how big your garden or outside space is, you can plant a flower or two to help bees." Lavender Lavender can thrive in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It's fragrant and flowers all-summer-long meaning it's a big hit with bees - especially bumble bees. Sunflowers This cheery flower giant are bee-magnets. And if you look closely at a sunflower head, the big 'flowers' are actually a cluster of small flowers, called an inflorescence which attract pollinators. Ideally, grow sunflowers in groups to provide nectar and pollen for as many bees as possible. At the end of summer, collect the dried seeds from the sunflower heads to feed the birds or plant next year. Heather These abundant, bell-shaped blooms are brimming with nectar and pollen – which is good news for bees. Cornflowers A vivid blue wildflower, cornflowers are often planted alongside other meadow blooms, like ox-eye daisies and poppies. They grow on tall stems and are packed with nectar, making them particularly attractive to bees. Cornflowers bloom for a long time and are simple to grow, so they're perfect for first-time gardeners and experienced alike. Crocuses (and snowdrops) Later this summer, when you're starting to plan for your Spring displays, consider crocuses and snowdrops. They provide bees, such as the queen buff-tailed bumblebee and male hairy-footed flower bees, with vital early pollen as they emerge from their winter hibernation
Sydney Morning Herald
02-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The 15 next big things in dining, around the world
Restaurants sober up Speaking of Marguerite, that Singapore eatery has recently got on board with a global trend towards 'temperance travel', that is, alcohol-free adventures. Plenty of restaurants around the world now are pushing things well beyond kombucha for those hoping for interesting non-alcoholic drinks to pair with their meals. Denmark's Geranium is a leader, presenting a 'Fruit and Vegetables' drinks pairing. Restaurant Frantzen in Stockholm has a similar offering, while Los Angeles fine diner Meteora is also a star. In Singapore, meanwhile, some 40 per cent of guests at Marguerite opt for a fully non-alcoholic or mixed pairing, taking advantage of a selection of clarified juices that the team says offer the same depth and complexity as wine. For example, caramelised Gala apples with verjuice and celeriac, infused with oak chips, to resemble a light chardonnay. See The Philippines gets starry-eyed Filipino food has been having a moment for a while now. This, in Australia at least, is due in large part to chef Ross Magnaye, whose elevated Filipino eatery Serai has made a real splash on the Melbourne scene. The Victorian capital now has a whole swag of exciting Filipino restaurants, from the down-home but tasty GJ's Grill, to grocer-cum-diner Ceree, to refined eatery Askal. Prepare yourself, however, for even more attention on cuisine from the Philippines because next year the country is getting its first Michelin guide. The French dealers of the coveted stars will cover Manila and Cebu, with reviews and stars set to be unveiled in the last quarter of 2025. See Chile v Argentina There's always been rivalry between neighbours Chile and Argentina, a battle mostly fought on the football field, though the countries' wineries are also friendly competitors. Each nation has its signature grape – in Argentina it's malbec; in Chile it's carmenere – not to mention spectacular scenery in its key regions. And now, even its cellar doors are locked in competition, with an impressive array of high-end facilities matching it with the big guns of France and Spain. The most recent World's Best Vineyards list included an impressive four Chilean and six Argentinean wineries in its top 50 (Australia scored two: d'Arenberg and Magill Estate). The highest placed of those was VIK in Millahue, Chile, at No.2. So who is the real winner? You. See Big openings in Tokyo Tokyo is about to get two huge new culinary precincts. This year, both the Takanawa Gateway and Blue Front developments will be going through staggered openings. Set just a short distance apart in southern Tokyo, within striking distance of Haneda Airport, Takanawa Gateway and Blue Front are multi-building complexes featuring high-end hotels (a JW Marriott in the former, Fairmont Tokyo in the latter) as well as significant food and beverage offerings opening throughout the year. The Fairmont alone will offer three levels of restaurants and bars. See Margaret River dines out Which Australian wine region has the best dining? Is it Mornington Peninsula, with Tedesca Osteria, Ten Minutes by Tractor, Laura and Many Little? Maybe. Though perhaps it's the Barossa, with Hentley Farm, Fino, Appellation and Orleana? Though, don't forget Margaret River. At the recent WA Good Food Guide Awards, 'Margs' restaurants picked up a swag of honours; new restaurant of the year went to De'sendent in Margaret River town; regional restaurant of the year was won by winery Voyager Estate; and regional chef of the year went to Vasse Felix's Cameron Jones. These awards recognise the rich culinary scene in one of Australia's premier wine regions, and with direct flights from both Melbourne and Sydney to Busselton, now's the time to check it out. See Star chefs take flight There's a trend worldwide for high-end hotels and resorts to welcome guest chefs for a few days or even a week to cook up a storm. In Australia, Kittawa Lodge on King Island will this year welcome two chefs doing three-night stints: Rosheen Kaul, author and contributor to Good Food; and Stephen Nairn, a finalist for Good Food Guide chef of the year in 2022 and 2023. Elsewhere, the Anantara Veli Maldives has a series of seven guest chefs arriving this year; the Datai Langkawi, Malaysia has Michelin-starred chefs visiting throughout 2025; and The Loren in Bermuda has James Beard Award winners arriving throughout the summer. See First Nations wine on the list So much of a visit to Uluru is about learning how traditional owners connect with country, so it's great to see those owners featured on a wine list. Ayers Rock Resort has recently added two First Nations-owned wineries to its restaurants' selections: Munda Wines and Mt Yengo Wines. These wineries join Indigenous-owned companies Jarrah Boy, Beachtree Distilling Company and Yaru Water on the beverage list. In Perth, meanwhile, the Ritz-Carlton's in-house restaurant Hearth has teamed up with roving foodie collective Fervor to offer some incredible culinary journeys, including a guided tour of the traditions and bush tucker of Bardi Jawi Country in the Kimberley by chef Paul Iskov. See Josh Niland swims north Sydneysider Josh Niland would have to be Australia's most exciting chef right now, an endlessly talented cook who has revolutionised fish cookery worldwide, while also winning three hats in the 2025 Good Food Guide at his flagship eatery, Saint Peter. Niland also runs Fysh, a Singapore fine diner, and now he's popped up on Hamilton Island, with the opening of Catseye Pool Club, a beachside bistro at the new The Sundays hotel. At Catseye, Niland presents a menu focused on local produce – hand-caught coral trout, CopperTree Farm beef, eastern rock lobster – served family-style, with all the trimmings. Think of it as the best beachside barbecue you've ever been to. See German fine dining? It's real You can have your laughs about German food. It's all pretzels and sausages, it's not a meal unless it's served with a beer. But you're missing out because German fine dining is a thing, and it's very, very good. Exhibit A: check out Berlin, which has a thriving dining scene that includes a three-Michelin-star restaurant (Rutz), as well as two that have made the most recent World's 50 Best list: Restaurant Tim Raue (No.30) and Nobelhart & Schmutzig (No.43). Bizarrely, however, the world's best German fine diner might just be in Bangkok. There, Suhring, run by brothers Thomas and Mathias Suhring, serves up intelligent, refined German cuisine in the gorgeous surrounds of a 1970s villa. If this is the future of German food, it's in good hands. See Devour Tours: the little company that could We love to see an underdog succeed, and Devour Tours is a true underdog in a world of giant travel players. The company was founded in 2012 by Lauren Aloise, an American expat who wanted to show tourists around Madrid's markets. Devour Tours now offers food tours and experiences in 18 cities in nine countries across Europe and North America, and it has stayed true to its original ethos, introducing visitors to niche producers and local-favourite bars and restaurants. If you're travelling through one of those 18 cities, steer clear of the big players and give Devour a try. See Cantonese gets respect What is Cantonese food? To plenty of Australians it's raucous yum cha on a weekend, and baine-marie sweet and sour pork. It's a pleasure, in that case, to see the high-end side of Cantonese cuisine finally being recognised. At the recent announcement of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, Hong Kong establishments The Chairman and Wing took out second and third place respectively. Both serve refined Cantonese cuisine, and had previously been included in the World's 50 Best list. Hong Kong's bar scene is also thriving, and the city will host the World's 50 Best Bar awards in October. See Get off the bus for vineyards Loading Bus tours of wineries are so last year. Or maybe a few years ago. There's been a growing trend among tour companies for more active explorations of the world's most famous wine-producing regions. Australia-based company uTracks in particular has noticed a swell in interest in its Vineyard Trails and Wine Region Walking Tour travel offerings. These trips include multi-day, self-guided walks through the likes of Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, Piedmont and the Douro Valley, as well as self-guided cycling trips through Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace, the Rhine Valley and more. The idea of these trips is to take things slow, to immerse yourself in the culture and pace of these regions, explore the backroads, connect with locals and get a little exercise while doing it. See
The Irish Sun
30-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Lidl launches new summer flower for just £2 to brighten up garden – now is the time to plant them for the best results
GREEN-FINGERED enthusiasts can transform their flowerbeds with a new Lidl buy. A popular plant hit the middle aisle this week and now is the time to add it to your garden. Advertisement 2 Lidl shoppers can transform their gardens with a popular flower that should be planted right now (stock image) Credit: Alamy Shoppers can pick up a fan-favourite flower without breaking the budget. So why not fill out your flowerbeds, hanging baskets, and windowboxes this summer? These plants typically flower between late spring and late autumn, so buying now will give you a lot of bang for your buck. Lidl shoppers can now pick up a Advertisement Read More On Gardening The plants hit shelves on Thursday, May 29 and can help you save on your summer garden. These geraniums are available as part of a mix 'n' match deal of three for £6. So you can fill out your container boxes and any gaps in your flowerbeds with these bargain buys. Experts recommend planting geraniums in either early summer or early autumn, so you'll want to act fast. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous You should ensure you are using well-drained soil and even consider adding compost to enrich it. Most varities of geranium tend to prefer direct sunlight and regular watering. I hate my new build garden being overlooked so found a 5 METRE privacy fence to block out nosy neighbours for under £30 Deadheading can also help the plants flourish throughout the summer months. And if you want them to last past the first frost, experts recommend bringing the flowers indoors before temperatures drop. Advertisement Meanwhile, a Home Bargains buy is said to The retailer is also selling a budget buy guaranteed to You can also Don't miss out... Visit The Sun's shopping home and garden hub for more news, deals and tips. For more discounts and recommendations from the Sun Shopping team, sign up to our newsletter and join the Or you can pick up another Advertisement Shoppers can also nab a £9.99 novelty decor buy that adds character to flowerbeds. A And Lidl customers can Or a Advertisement 2 Lidl shoppers can pick up Geranium flowers as part of a mix 'n' match three for £6 deal Credit: Lidl
