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 enjoy the look of Carnations, but want a plant that is easier to manage and care for, you cannot look past Dianthus (Dianthus chinesis). These lovely little perennials provide masses of scented, fringed blooms in a compact form. They are hardy, drought tolerant and can manage a variety of soil conditions as well. A great all round plant to use in your garden for edging or in pots.
How to grow Dianthus in a garden
Starting from a seedling or potted plant:
- Choose a position with full sun and well-drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- When planting into prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 20 to 30cm apart.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container. 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.
- Water in gently and keep soil moderately moist at all times.
- Mulch with an organic mulch such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw to a depth of 5 - 8cm, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
Starting from seed:
- Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, lightly cover with mix, firm down and gently water in well. Keep moist at all times and place in a warm and sheltered position until seedlings have grown to 5 cm tall, then plant into the garden.
- Alternatively, sow direct where they are to grow in rows or in scattered clumps around the garden. Cover with a 3mm layer of Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Lightly firm down and keep moist. Just be sure to enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed prior to sowing.
How to grow Dianthus in a pot
Starting from a seedling or potted plant:
- Choose a pot at least 200mm wide with adequate drainage holes.
- Position pot in full sun.
- Fill the pot with a quality potting mix such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down.
- Water in gently and keep mix moderately moist at all times.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
Starting from seed:
- Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, lightly cover with mix, firm down and gently water in well. Keep moist at all times and place in a warm and sheltered position until seedlings have grown to 5 cm tall, then plant into the pot.
- Alternatively, sow directly into the pot where they are to grow. Cover with a 3mm layer of Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Lightly firm down and keep moist.
Growing tips
Trim lightly after each flush of flowers to encourage new growth.
Can be grown as an annual.
Great for use in cottage style gardens.
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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 Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed
A certified organic garden input boosted with NZ Seaweed to gently nourish plants, enrich the soil and encourage a strong healthy root system.
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