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 are after a crisp white bulb for your spring garden, take a look at the tongue twisting Ornithogalums (Ornithogalum spp.). There are many varieties available, all providing lovely white or cream blooms. Some are compact, others are scented, some can even be dyed different colours after picking! In the garden, they are great for mass plantings, around borders and rockeries. Also makes an excellent cut flower lasting for 1 to 2 weeks.
How to grow Ornithogalum in a garden
- Choose a position in full sun to part shade with well drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- Place bulb directly where the plant is to grow, at a depth of about 10cm, spacing at least 15cm apart.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised doughnut shaped ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
- Once bulbs have sprouted, 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 Ornithogalum in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 200mm wide with adequate drainage holes.
- Position in full sun or part shade.
- Fill pot with quality potting mix such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Place bulb directly where the plant is to grow, at a depth of about 10cm, spacing at least 15cm apart.
- Position in hole and backfill with potting, gently firming down.
- Water in well.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Ixia prefer a lightly moist potting mix - avoid overwatering.
- 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
- These bulbs hate wet feet, but, also don’t like to dry out too much as well. Try to keep the soil lightly moist to give them the best chance at growth.
- Great for planting in clumps and mass displays.
- Take care when planting where young kids play or pets roam, as the plant is poisonous.
- There are three widely grown species. These include:
Chincherinchee (O. thyroides)
This species grows to approximately 30 cm tall and produces a mass of papery white flowers when in bloom. The uniqueness of this variety is that the flower colour can easily be changed by dipping the stems in dye or ink.
Arab’s Eye (O. arabicum)
This species gets its name from the eye that is formed by the papery white petals of the flower that surround a black centre. This is a great choice for strong scents in the garden.
Star of Bethlehem (O. umbellatum)
This differs from the other species in that the flowers have a waxy form with green stripes appearing on the underside of the petals.
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 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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