Dwarf Pōhutukawa
Dwarf Pōhutukawa (AKA Pacific Rata or Tahitian Pohutukawa) is a fantastic flowering shrub or small tree ideal for use as a feature plant, hedge or screen.
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Considered to be one of the best hedging plants, the compact habit and attractive bright green, glossy foliage of the Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) make it a perfect choice for topiary work, low hedges and accent plants in formal gardens. Extremely adaptable to all climates and soil types, it is regarded as a quicker growing variety of the buxus plants.
How to grow Japanese Box in a garden
- Choose a position in full sun or part shade with well drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and 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 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.
- Feed 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 Japanese Box in a pot
- Choose a pot with adequate drainage holes. Japanese Box can be grown in very small pots if kept regularly clipped. The larger you intend for the plant to grow, the bigger the pot required. Gradually pot up every year or so.
- Position in full sun or part shade and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Feed with Yates Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- Begin pruning when the plant is young to maintain dense foliage cover.
- Pruning/shaping may need to be undertaken several times during the growing season.
- For hedging, plant 4 to 5 plants per metre.
- For a more compact variety similar to Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla var. Japonica), try Dwarf Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla var. microphylla).
Daphne
Daphne is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and beautifully fragrant flowers in shades of white and pink. Grow in the garden or in pots.
Smoke Bush
Smoke Bush is an ideal shrub to add a splash of foliage colour to gardens. It provides year-round seasonal interest and looks fabulous in both gardens and pots.
Picea
Piceas, or Spruces, are evergreen coniferous trees from the Pinaceae family with a lovely conical shape, needle-like leaves and ornate pendulous cones.
Recommended products
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 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.
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 Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
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