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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Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon spp.) is a common sight in most gardens. Its deep green or purple/black perennial strappy leaves and compact growth habit make it perfect for fitting into those cracks in pavers, around garden edges or in pots to fill out the base and add a bit of elegance to the garden.
How to grow mondo grass in your garden
- Choose a place in the garden that gets full sun to full shade (depending on variety). Prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- 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, 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 around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Feed regularly with Yates Thrive All Purpose Granular Plant Food.
How to grow mondo grass in a pot
- Choose a pot that is at least twice the size of the selected plant. Position in the garden that receives full sun to full shade (depending on variety).
- Fill the pot with a quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Feed during the growing season Yates Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food.
Growing tips
- To keep the plant looking at its best, remove any of the older or damaged leaves.
- Best results are seen when the grass is planted in part shade or shade, with protection against the afternoon sun.
- Some varieties of Mondo grass can perform well in full sun conditions. However, in the hotter days and with constant exposure, the leaves can develop burnt tips.
- This plant can be easily propagated through division most times of the year by carefully removing it from the ground or the pot and dividing into separate clumps with a spade.
- Great for use in pathways, borders or used around garden edges.
- There are many varieties of Mondo Grass available. These include:
Common Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
This grass is the most commonly available grass. It is popular due to its deep green foliage and its compact growth form. The maximum height reached by this species is from 10-25 cm.
Dwarf Mondo Grass (O. japonicus var. nanus)
Smaller variety of the Common Mondo grass that grows to a height of around 10 cm.
Black Mondo Grass (O. planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’)
Great variety for contrast in pathways or around bright edges. This variety has deep purple to black leaves and grows to a height of about 10-25 cm.
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 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 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 Liquid Plant Food
A liquid plant food suitable for most types of plants and provides balanced feeding to promote stronger, healthier growth and greener foliage. Feeds through the leaves and roots for fast results.
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