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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For a strong plant that will grow in most environments, Ivy (Hedera canariensis) is worth considering. It's available in a variety of leaf colours from deep green to the variegated white and green. Great for pots or indoor plantings.
How to grow ivy in a garden
Due to its invasive nature, grow in a raised garden bed to restrict the risk of escape and damage to other garden plants.
- Choose a well-drained spot in the garden that gets full sun or part shade.
- Before planting, enrich the soil in the planting bed with some compost and Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down.
- Form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Feed throughout the year with Yates Thrive All Purpose Granular Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
How to grow ivy in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 300 mm wide. Position in full sun to shade and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Feed regularly with Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- Regular trimming and pruning is required to keep this plant under control and looking at its best.
- Trim off any of the larger or adult leaves to keep the small compact form.
- Can be used as a ground cover or small hedge like plant.
- Easily grown on walls and fences. Over time this plant can cause damage to the brickwork due to its strong climbing roots.
- Great for understory plantings if controlled.
- Can be grown as an indoor plant.
- Some species of Ivy, particularly Hedera helix can become weedy.
- ‘Variegata’ is a popular form of Ivy due to its variegated green and white leaves. Great to grow in pots or as a small shrub or controlled ground cover to create some contrasting colours in the landscape.
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 Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Thrive All Purpose Granular Plant Food
Easy-to-use granular plant food specially formulated with both fast acting and gradual feeding for up to 3 months, in the garden or pots.
Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate
A balanced fish based plant food boosted wtih added NPK to ensure strong, lush plant growth and healthy soil.
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