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Red-hot winter blooms

Red-hot winter blooms

Left: Model gardening; Right: Red-hot pokers

In summer, red-hot pokers are, well, just too red, and sometimes yellow too — great lumbering things with blooms often more than a metre high, that look gaudy in all the summer glare.

Yes, they’re hardy — so indestructible they really need a semi-trailer to back over them to daunt them. But despite their magnificence, height and colour, I find them too bright, too sprawling to really love them.

The only “red” red-hot pokers (or Kniphofia caulescens, to give them their botanical name) I really love in summer are the miniature yellow ones, more a soft gold and not much higher than my ankle.

I grow them at the very edge of the garden, where the strap like foliage left after the flowers have died back won’t look like too much of a mess. They need a bit more water than the big red bold ones, but are still wonderfully drought tolerant once established.

You can also buy lime green ones (but there’s enough lime green in my garden from the leaves) and almost white ones, too.

Red-hot pokers (or torch lilies or even plain old pokers) are different in winter. You need hot colours in winter. That too-vivid summer red is just what’s needed on a cold winter day, and the yellow, too, is sun-bright and welcome.

It used to be difficult to find winter blooming red-hot pokers, but they are more common now. “Winter cheer” is perhaps the most common, which blooms for about six weeks or even longer in mid-winter, but there are several others with slightly different flowering times, so you can have a succession from late autumn through to spring.

The birds love them, especially the honey-eaters, hovering around them and dipping in their beaks all through winter. I adore them too. Like most winter flowers, they bloom longer than their summer relatives, away from the fierce heat.

Red-hot pokers prefer full sun, although the summer ones will bloom in light dappled shade too. I plant our winter ones under deciduous trees, so that by the time the flower heads are falling the leaves have all dropped off, leaving them with all the winter sunlight they want.

They won’t tolerate heavy frost, but if you plant them in a sheltered spot, next to a sunny wall for example, or among the deciduous trees or by large rocks, as we do, they should be fine, especially after they’ve been in for a winter or two and acclimatised.

Like most flowers, you’ll get more blooms if they are watered regularly, and the plants will grow faster too. But our pokers have survived the worst of droughts with no watering whatsoever — and they even gave some blooms.

Once red-hot pokers (or gold, yellow, white or lime hot pokers) have been in a few years they form a large clump. Divide it every few years, firstly so you can have your pokers in other spots in the garden but also because the large clumps can look messy, especially when the flowers have died back and all that’s left are the strappy leaves.

I know I haven’t made winter red-hot pokers sound irresistible — and truthfully there are more beautiful flowers. But I don’t think there are any as hardy or dependable or as tolerant of complete neglect. With a few clumps of winter blooming pokers in your garden, you know there’ll be “winter cheer” forever.

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Celebrity hair trends

Free cascading curls

Miranda Kerr’s free flowing long curly locks parted in the middle are a winner!

Sleek and sexy

Show off your facial features, with this sleek and sexy look like Kim Kardashian.

Glamour

Structured curls with a severe side part are all over the red carpet. Think Diane Kruger (pictured), Katy Perry and Dita Von Tesse.

Pretty plaits

Plaits are back! Whether you copy Kate’s Grecian look and pull them back or plait long hair loosley to one side, they are an easy to do hair trend.

Two toned colour

Two toned hair, like Rachel Bilson’s, is often darker at the top and lighter at the bottom and works well when hair is worn down or up.

Bejewelled hair accessories

Bejewelled hair accessories are the perfect way to add a bit of glamour to any up do. Jessica Alba’s soft style is the perfect example.

Bright colour

Blake Lively shows that bold and bright red colour makes the eyes pop and makes the hair shine.

Short and simple

Although it looks simple, Michelle William’s textured pixie cut has a lot more to it. It frames her face perfectly and shows off her beautiful bone structure.

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In review: Water For Elephants

In review: Water For Elephants

While the movie as a whole might not fully recreate the magic conjured up by Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants novel, it is definitely worth seeing if you’re a fan of Robert Pattinson, who gives arguably his best performance yet in this film.

Set in the US during the Great Depression in the 1930s, the film follows the story of Jacob (Robert) who finds himself working in a travelling circus.

Acclaimed actor Christoph Waltz is brilliant as the circus ringleader seemingly with multiple personalities. The actor’s uncanny knack at creating alarming and disturbing scenes will have you jumping in your seat.

Reese Witherspoon, who plays a beguiling circus performer, is the love interest in the story, but it is another leading female who steals the show. The beautiful performing elephant Rosie is adorable and captures the hearts of the characters and audience alike.

With a heady mix of sorrow, anguish, romance and revenge, combined with spectacular acrobatics and exotic animals, Water for Elephants brings the frivolity and frustrations of the circus of yesteryear to life.

Water for Elephants is in cinemas now.

Your say: Rate the film below.

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Angelina Jolie talks about seventh adoption rumours

Angelina Jolie: "I am very lucky to be here"

Angelina Jolie has cleared up the rumours she’d adopted a seventh child by revealing the seventh set of map coordinates tattooed on her arm do not belong to a child.

The mother of six famously has six sets of map coordinates tattooed on her upper left arm that correspond with the birthplaces of her six children, which she raises with partner Brad Pitt. In April 2011 she stepped out with a new set of coordinates, sparking rumours she had adopted another child.

So who do the additional coordinates belong to?

When asked in an interview with Extra while promoting her new movie Kung Fu Panda 2, the 35-year-old revealed they belong to Brad.

“Well, if they know that it’s latitude and longitude they would have figured out quickly that it was Brad’s birthplace,” she said.

“It doesn’t take much investigation to figure that one out. [The coordinates are] Shawnee, Oklahoma.”

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A baby boomer’s guide to finding love

A baby boomer's guide to finding love

According to matchmaker Della Cory, affluent baby boomers (men and women over 55) are quickly becoming the largest population of singles in Australia.

“If you’re a mature, affluent single, finding the right partner can be difficult,” Cory says. With nearly 20 years’ experience introducing people, Cory has some fascinating insights into what the former “free-loving” generation of mature singles are looking for in a partner, and some excellent suggestions on how they might find themselves an eligible match.

Who are they?

The profile of a 21st-century mature single is varied, Cory explains. “They are single parents, empty nesters, busy professionals or retired people.” But they all share the common trait of having little or no experience in today’s modern dating world. “Most have not dated since their teens, if ever!” she says.

What do they want?

More to the point, the boomers who are “getting back out there”, quickly find that their adolescent idea of dating (and what they were looking for in a partnership back then) is outdated, impractical and no longer serves them. “In mature life their needs for a partner are focused around common values, the desire to share travel and lifestyle activities, romance and intimacy,” she says. “For some it is sharing their ‘bucket list’.

“Mature singles have already had their marital experience,” Cory says. “A very high percentage prefer not to re-marry or live with their partner, even though they are in a fully committed relationship. They feel this keeps the desire alive.”

For example, one of Cory’s clients recently lost her boyfriend, who passed away at a ripe old age, after sharing 30 years of romance and adventure with her. The couple never lived together.

Where do they meet?

There is no bar scene for mature singles — so how are they to connect with other ‘eligibles’? “All their friends are married and the options of speed dating, risky computer dating, and singles’ parties are completely not to their taste,” Cory says. “Some will have a go, only to find out that they are not catered for, due to their age. A few have learned the hard way about playing a risky game with strangers when it comes to their personal lives and hard-earned assets.”

Take matters into your own hands

All is not lost, Cory says, it’s about being proactive. “I think it’s important to get back to the idea of introducing people to one another, rather than everything being anonymous,” she says. “Cultivate a new single group of your own and attract into that group other eligible singles who are looking for dating and for partners.

“Start with a group date — if you’ve got two single women and they each invite one single person that they know of the opposite sex, then there’s four,” Cory says. “With a group of four, or even eight, you can comfortably go out together to a dance or a singles event and have fun, and work in a group to attract other people to you. It’s easier than working alone.

“If you’re really serious about finding someone, then you make a serious effort and do it once a week.”

The ‘in’ crowd

Cory recommends letting different people in the group suggest the weekly outings.

“Wine tastings, art openings, product launches … activities where you can experience something together are best,” she says. “You might have a dinner party or a cocktail evening and ask your group of eight singles to invite another eight, so then you have 16 and you have a party.”

Then the good old-fashioned fun really starts. “Once you have a big group you can do something like go on a little holiday together,” Cory says. “Rent a big house somewhere invite even more people along.”

The dynamic is natural and easy, and seems to work the same way a group of single friends at school or university would work, except these singles have a wealth of life experience (and far more material wealth) to contribute.

“Those in the group who don’t become intimate partners can become friends,” Cory says. “And as people partner off you just refill the group with more singles until they themselves are partnered up and off they go. It only takes four single people to get this started.”

So what are you waiting for? You only live twice!

Your say: Do you have any tips for finding love the second time around? Tell us more [email protected]

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Princess Beatrice to auction royal wedding hat

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When Princess Beatrice stepped out at the royal wedding, her hat became an instant talking point — and now you could own it for yourself.

The princess’ mother, Sarah Ferguson, has revealed that her daughter will be putting the hat up for auction to raise money for the charity.

“She’s putting it up on eBay to auction it for UNICEF and for Children in Crisis,” Sarah, the Duchess of York, said on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Wednesday.

Princess Beatrice, who is known for her over-the-top topper style, wore a Philip Treacy-designed hat to her cousin’s big day. The hat is estimated to be worth around $3300.

The 22-year-old princess received both best- and worst-dressed attention for her hat, which took the attention away from her Valentino haute couture dress and coat.

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Sarah Ferguson ‘hurt’ over royal wedding snub

Sarah Ferguson hurt over royal wedding snub

Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson was “hurt” and “disappointed” she was not invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.

The Duchess of York told The Oprah Winfrey Show she was devastated she couldn’t accompany her daughters, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to the nuptials.

“It was so difficult because I wanted to be there with my girls… to be getting them dressed and to go as a family,” Sarah, 51, said.

In pictures: Most shocking royal scandals

Instead, Sarah, nicknamed ‘Fergie’, was at a resort in Thailand watching the ceremony on TV. She said she thought Kate looked stunning, but found the wedding difficult to watch because she was the last royal bride to wed in London’s Westminster Abbey, marrying Prince Andrew in 1986.

“It was so hard, because the last bride up that aisle was me,” she said.

Sarah and Andrew separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996, but still have a close friendship. They talked constantly on the morning of William and Kate’s wedding so Sarah wouldn’t feel left out.

“When Andrew went with the girls, we were talking all morning and he was saying, ‘It’s okay. Just remember we had such a good day. Our wedding was so perfect,’ ” Sarah told Oprah.

“Because we’re such a unit together. He made me feel very part of the day on April 29.”

While the invite snub upset Sarah, she said she could understand why she wasn’t invited. She has been involved in a number of scandals since she separated from Andrew, most recently being taped offering access to her ex-husband for a large sum of money.

“I went through the phase of feeling so totally worthless and that [it] was quite right they didn’t invite me,” Sarah told the talk show host.

“Why would they — why would they invite me? I felt that I ostracised myself by my behaviour, by the past, by living with all the regrets of my mistakes, that I sort of wore a hair shirt and beat myself up most of the day thinking and regretting why did I make such a mistake? Why have I made so many mistakes?”

Related: Middleton family furious over raunchy photos

In retrospect, Sarah said she was glad she wasn’t there. She said she thought it fitting that she and William’s mother Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997, were absent, and is certain Diana would be incredibly ‘proud’ of her sons.

“I really love the feeling that sort of Diana and I both weren’t there,” Sarah said.

“But I’m here to say how proud she would have been and Kate looked utterly beautiful.

“I think Diana would be so proud of her son. Both of them, you know? They did a great job.”

Your say: Do you think Fergie should have been invited to the royal wedding?

Video: Sarah Ferguson turns 50

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William and Catherine depart for honeymoon

Prince William and Catherine depart for honeymoon

William and Catherine depart Buckingham Palace for their 'mini-moon' last month

Prince William has whisked Catherine off to the Seychelles for a luxurious honeymoon.

The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were seen boarding a private jet at a Welsh airport on Monday evening.

In pictures: William and Catherine celebrate their marriage

Airport officials on the Seychelles’ main island Mahe confirmed the royal couple had touched down on Tuesday at 7.30am local time, before transferring to a helicopter to travel to their tropical resort.

The couple will reportedly spend 10 days in a private villa that costs more than $6000 a night. The resort was inspected by royal protection officers three weeks ago to ensure the safety of the newlyweds, and is believed to be extremely secluded.

The media have agreed to keep the exact location of William and Catherine’s honeymoon secret, to allow the couple to enjoy their holiday in private.

It is not the first time William and Catherine have visited the Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. They holidayed on the island of Desroches four years ago, with William reportedly telling friends it was the best holiday he ever had.

Seychelles tourism officials are thrilled William and Catherine have chosen the archipelago for their honeymoon, and have promised to ensure they have a fantastic time.

“We are obviously delighted that Prince William and his new wife have decided to honeymoon in the Seychelles,” a spokesman for the Seychelles department of tourism told the UK’s Daily Mail

Related: Middleton family ‘furious’ over raunchy photos

“We know they will want some peace and quiet and there couldn’t be a better place for them to find it, so we will leave them to enjoy themselves throughout their stay.

“Perhaps at some stage our tourism chief executive might meet with them but otherwise we have nothing special planned for their holiday.” William and Catherine married in London’s Westminster Abbey on April 29. They spent two days in a mystery UK location on a ‘mini-moon’ but delayed their proper honeymoon until now.

Your say: Do you think the paparazzi should give William and Catherine some privacy to enjoy their honeymoon?

Video: William and Catherine jet off on honeymoon

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Oprah Winfrey to appear on Broadway

Oprah Winfrey to appear on Broadway

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is in negotiations to appear in a Broadway show.

The talk show host has had supporting roles in several films in the past, but has never appeared onstage.

She has always spoken of her desire to star in a Broadway production, and has now decided to “make it happen” after The Oprah Winfrey Show ends later this month.

In pictures: Oprah Winfrey’s five life lessons

“I have a stack of plays in my bag right now that I am reading,” Oprah told the Chicago Tribune. “And just this past weekend, I was in New York meeting with producers.

“We were just talking about what would be the best route to take. But yes, this is really going to happen. Life is too short.”

But while Oprah has been the star of her own talk show for more than 25 years, she is not comfortable with the idea of hogging the limelight onstage. Instead, she would like to star in an ensemble production so she can share the spotlight with more experienced thespians.

“I think that an ensemble production is the way I should go,” she told the publication.

Related: Oprah’s last show sells $1m ads

Oprah also revealed she had planned to make her Broadway debut in a production of Fences two years ago, but was forced to pull out due to the demanding filming schedule of her show. The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show will air on May 25 and Oprah is planning to spend the next few years of her life enjoying herself.

“I want to wrap this up as it should be wrapped up,” she said. “‘Let’s land this plane,’ I keep saying. And then it’s time to do something for fun. This next phase of my life should be pure delight.”

Your say: Would you go and see Oprah onstage?

Video: The Oprah effect

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Schwarzenegger and Shriver: an unlikely pair

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After 25 years of marriage Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver have announced their separation.

The pair, who met in 1977 and married at the Kennedy compound in 1986, are now “living apart, while we work on the future of our relationship”, they said in a joint media release.

Despite their long relationship, it seems the pair were a somewhat unlikely match from the beginning, People magazine reported.

Maria, now 55, was a TV journalist, a Democrat and a member of the Kennedy family. Arnold, 63, was an Austrian-born bodybuilder and action movie star who went on to become a Republican governor of California.

When Arnold decided to run for governor, Maria revealed on the Oprah Winfrey Show that she wasn’t exactly thrilled at his decision.

“When he told me he was interested, I said I’d spent my whole life getting away from politics,” she said in a 2008 episode.

“I realised that if I said no, I’d be stopping my husband from achieving his dream. It was a catch-22. So I told Arnold that he should do what he wanted to do … Two months later, I was the Democratic first lady of a Republican administration.”

Despite her doubts, Maria always stood by her husband in his political role, including when allegations of improper behaviour towards women were made against him during his campaign trail.

She has also been praised as a shining example as California’s first lady after she left her job at Dateline to support her husband, the Los Angeles Times reported.

But privately the couple’s life wasn’t so idyllic. The pair’s four children, aged 14, 18, 20 and 21, grew apart and have remained apart.

The pair’s political differences also became apparent when Maria endorsed Democrat candidate Barack Obama and Schwarzenegger backed Republican John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.

In March this year, Maria spoke in a video posted on YouTube about how she has handled transition in her life.

“As you know, transitions are not easy. I’d love to get your advice on how you’ve handled transitions in your own life,” she said.

“It’s so stressful to not know what you’re doing next. People ask you what are you doing and then they can’t believe that you don’t know what you’re doing.”

The pair are also reportedly moving in different directions in their lives with Arnold preparing to return to acting. Maria, however, is still dealing with the losses of her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, her father, Sargent Shriver, and her uncle, former Massachusetts senator Edward M Kennedy.

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