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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Virginian Stock (Malcolmia maritima) is a charming, easy to grow annual flowering plant. With its masses of small blooms in lilac, pink, mauve and white, it is perfect for creating a splash of colour in the garden from early spring.
How to grow Virginian stock in a garden
- Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun.
- Prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.
- Sow seeds directly where they are to grow by scattering them thinly on top of the soil then raking them lightly into the soil surface. Firm down and water well.
- Water gently and keep moist through germination period.
- Once seedlings are approximately 5 cm, mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw.
- Feed regularly during the growing and flowering season with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
How to grow Virginian stock in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Choose a position in full sun that is sheltered from wind.
- Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Plant directly into the pot by scattering the seeds thinly on top of the soil, then lightly cover with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Firm down and water well.
- Water gently and keep moist through germination period.
- Once the seedlings have grown at least 5 cm, place a light layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw around the base of the plant.
- Feed regularly during the growing and flowering season with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- Select the planting site carefully, as these plants dislike root disturbances and do not transplant well.
- Often planted over bulbs to disguise their untidy leaves once their flowering period has finished.
- Great plant choice for cottage gardens.
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 Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
Releases nutrients slowly, improves the structure and moisture retention of the soil and encourages earthworms and beneficial soil micro-organisms.
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 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.
Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food
Provides your flowers & roses with the balanced nutrients they require for healthy growth and flower production.
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