Proteas
Not just any old blossom, protea flowers are blooms with attitude. If you can give them full sun and reasonable drainage, proteas will love you.
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If you have ever wandered around the small alleyways and streets of the Greek Islands in summer or have visited Europe in the warmer months you would know the true beauty of Bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea cvs). These hardy scrambling climbers are very easy to grow and suit our warm temperate climate. Great to add colour to any wall or terrace, or to have as a ground cover or small shrub.
How to grow Bougainvilleas in a garden
- Choose a position in full sun with well drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
- Mulch with an organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- During the growing and flowering season feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
How to grow Bougainvilleas in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 500mm wide.
- Position in full sun and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down.
- Water in well.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- During the growing and flowering season, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. Throughout the year apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- Bougainvillea don’t like getting wet feet so avoid overwatering. Excessive water can cause the leaves to drop from the plant.
- Ensure that you provide the plant with plenty of support to grow and train. These plants are scrambling climbers and may need additional support.
- Bougainvilleas are salt tolerant and can handle direct or in-direct salt winds.
- Lightly prune back plants once flowering has finished.
- Bougainvilleas can respond well to a hard prune but only do this if it is absolutely necessary as they respond better to light regular pruning.
- Watch out for those spikes! Wear gloves and long sleeved shirts and pants if trimming or training these plants.
- Bougainvilleas can be propagated from hardwood cuttings. Try Yates Clonex Root Gel - Hard Wood Red to assist with propagation.
- Dwarf varieties such as 'Bambino Bougs' are available. These varieties are compact, have a small shrub like habit.
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Azaleas vary from small, delicate shrubs that are happy in pots, up to hardy 1.5m shrubs ideal for border planting. Here's how to grow azaleas in your garden.
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Recommended products
Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food
Specially formulated to grow all types of flowers. With high potassium for large & abundant flowers, added calcium & iron for stronger flowers.
Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food
Provides your flowers & roses with the balanced nutrients they require for healthy growth and flower production.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
Releases nutrients slowly, improves the structure and moisture retention of the soil and encourages earthworms and beneficial soil micro-organisms.
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