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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Gomphrenas (Gomphrena globosa) are hardy plants when established that require little water, which is perfect for that dry spot in the garden. Not only are they dry tolerant, they also provide lovely rounded, papery flower heads that are available in a range of colours, including white, pink and plum shades. Great for adding colour to boarders or for just cheering up that dry spot in the garden.
How to grow gomphrenas in a garden
- Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, cover, firm down and water well. Keep the soil moist so the seeds don’t dry out. Alternatively, you can sow the seeds directly where they are to grow.
- Water moderately while seeds are establishing.
- The seedlings are ready to transplant when they are approximately 5cm in height.
- When transplanting them into your prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 20cm apart. Water in well.
- Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw.
- Feed regularly with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flower Liquid Plant Food.
How to grow Gomphrenas in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 200mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.
- Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Plant directly into the pot by pressing the seeds lightly into the surface of the pot.
- Water moderately while seeds are establishing.
- Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flower Liquid Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooms.
- Great as a dried flower. Pick blooms when they are fully opened and hang with their heads facing down in a cool, well-aired indoor position until they have fully dried.
Azalea
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.
Lavender
Lavender are hardy perennial plants with silvery-grey, aromatic foliage & dense spike of flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink and white.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a hardy herbaceous perennial with large fragrant pink daisy-like flowers. Used for therapeutic purposes and as a delicious tea.
Recommended products
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.
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 Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate
A complete plant food enriched with natural fish, seaweed, humates, molasses and more - boosted with NPK to improve plant and soil vitality.
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