Flowers

Bromeliads can bring an instant touch of the tropics to the coldest and driest climate gardens. Their lush, tropical foliage brings year-round colour and the colourful bracts they bear periodically can make them show-stoppers. This, combined with their easy- care nature makes them quite irresistible! A little history Bromeliads come from the tropical Americas where they grow as forest under …

Native daisies are equally at home in cottage-style gardens as they are in native gardens. They can be more in harmony with the natural environment than other plants and of course, they’re also adorable! Here’s how to grow native daisies for summer colour… Bracteantha (Bracteantha bracteata) Also called everlasting daisies, bracteanthas are famous for their dry, crackly petals that do …

Sub-tropical and tropical climates provide the perfect humid conditions for fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and black spot to thrive. These fungal diseases can severely stress the plant and diminish its performance, resulting in fewer blooms and a sickly looking plant. However, there are natural treatments available to assist gardeners in fending off these fungal infestations.   What is powdery …

Many people believe that roses do not grow well in pots; however this is simply not the case with potted roses being  just as spectacular as those in the garden. Best of all they are ideal for people who do not have a large garden area or are confined to courtyard spaces (such as units, townhouses or retirement village dwellers).  For …

If your desiring a rose display that will rival Flemington Racecourse on Melbourne Cup, then follow these sound spring rose care tips. Pruning Roses Generally, roses should be pruned back by two-thirds in winter but if you haven’t done this by early spring, a gentle pruning to remove dead branches and excess straggly growth should suffice. Feeding Roses When new …

Re-potting is an important part of owning healthy happy plants. As time comes by, potting mix eventually degenerates and its nutrients are used up by the plant. It is best to re-pot plants into the best quality premium mix possible every two years or so, even if the plant hasn’t outgrown its pot. Using a premium potting mix will ensure the plant gets optimum …

With so many amazing plants in garden centres today, it can be easy to forget some of the most obvious choices. Geraniums flower beautifully, keep a lush appearance in some of the hottest, driest conditions, are elegant in pots and can be the mainstay of low-maintenance gardens. With the recent geranium revival, it’s time to give the humble geranium a …

   Add a little colour to your garden with these Autumn flowers.   1. Begonia For an exciting range of flowers in shady areas, look no further than begonias. Most begonias are frost tender so in colder climates these tropical beauties can be grown as indoor plants.   2. Salvia If you’re looking for an easy-care flowering plant, the salvia …

Cyclamen makes the perfect Mothers Day plant with their lovely, sweetly-perfumed flowers and can be easily grown as an indoor plant. Here are the secrets to great indoor cyclamen Cyclamen are native to Mediterranean coastlines. They enjoy a cool and slightly moist environment with filtered light. Cyclamen are great as an indoor plant provided they’re kept away from ‘hot spots’ …

Now is the time of year to plant sweet peas and although they are traditionally planted on St. Patrick’s Day, it is recommended that when planting them into garden beds, the soil is prepared at least a week earlier. The correct preparation now will ensure a spectacular display right through into spring. Soil preparation: Sweet peas love full sun and …