Astelia Westland: this hardy evergreen Astelia with its stiffly arched, reddish bronze leaves has all year round appeal. It's compatible with all modern decor and garden landscapes. Grows to 1 metre by 1 metre.
Nandina Firepower: this heavenly evergreen is renowned for its contrasting foliage colour throughout the seasons. Its non evasive bamboo foliage changes from pale lime green and yellow in spring to vivid pinks and reds, then to rich deep red tones in autumn. Grows to 60 cm by 60 cm.
Lophomyrtus Red Dragon: its dinstinct burgundy foliage intensifies to almost black over the colder months. With its dense habit and fine foliage, this native is superb in most garden situations as a hedge, border or a low maintenance garden specimen. Grows to 2 m by 1 m.
Convolvulus Cneorum: is a prolific flowering low growing shrub. Its clean silver foliage covers the plant all year round and cup shaped white flowers open in late spring and continue throughout the summer and autumn months - its an oldie but a wonderful goodie. Grows to 40 cm by 80 cm.
Viburnum Japonicum: this stunning bushy dense shrub has large glossy dark green leaves. In spring clusters of fragrant white flowers cover the shrub and in autumn red berries appear. Its hardy and is an excellent filler or background plant that likes full sun or shade. Grows to 2 m by 1.5 m.
Loropetalum China Pink: with classy burgundy wine foliage and pretty china pink flowers throughout spring this plant is one of our favourites as a stand out plant. Its dense and spreading habit looks spectacular mass planted and behaves well in containers. Grows to 1.5 m by 2 m.
Astelia Silver Spear: this astelia is in a class of its own - the clean silver coloured stiff and upright sword like leaves have appeal all year round. It is a wonderful focal plant for any garden. Grows to 1.5 m by 1.5 m.
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It is well suited to landscaped gardens that need the colour of great foliage 365 days of the year and at the same time utilizing low to no irrigation. Containerize this one in your courtyard or plant in full sun or shade in the garden bed then sit back; all the hard work has been done. This is one fab accent plant!
]]>These 'Scent from Heaven' landscape carnations have been nine years in the making by Dr Keith Hammett, one of New Zealand's pre-eminent plant breeders and are worth the wait. Traditionally dianthus will flower once in spring and can often have an unruly habit but not these little beauties. They will flower practically all year round, have a neat compact habit and a gorgeous scent. For garden colour and a strong foliage structure these are great in a shrub garden, perennial border or ideal in a pot.
Plant in full sun in well drained soil. These will grow with very little maintenance to approximately 50 cm by 50 cm.
]]>Hues Of Red: ideal for warding off the approaching winter blues; red adds drama and impact in a garden - try Libertia Taupo Blaze, Nandina Firepower, Nandina Gulfstream and Phormium Evening Glow
Hues Of Green: give your garden a sense of lusiciousness - try Viburnum Davidii, Choisya Ternata, Hebe Emerald Gem, Choisya Aztec Pearl, Sclernathus Biflorus and Euphorbia Kea
Hues Of Blue: notably a cool and calming colour - try Dianella Blue Twist - it is simply a stunner
Hues Of Silver: these plants will give your garden an almost reflective look - try Astelia Silver Spear, Convolvulus Cneorum and Pachystegia Insignis
Hues Of Bronze/Brown: the metallic look of bronze will give your garden an earthy natural look - try Astelia Westland, Lophomyrtus Red Dragon, Corokia Frosted Chocolate and Phormium Sweet Mist
Hues Of Black: it's all about drama! - try Phormium Black Rage
Hues Of Yellow: its bright and will highlight any corner of your garden as you think of sunshine and warmer days ahead - try Coleonema Sunset Gold
]]>The gold winner in this hotly contested category is Wellington designer Rachael Matthews. The inspiration for her garden came from her mother's own veggie garden which tended to run wild at this time of the year. The garden was packed with innovative ideas for home gardeners, like space saving layouts for growing fruits on wall, an underground composting system that doubles as a boardwalk between the beds and diy bean frames made from plants.
]]>And guess what plant features on one of the lily petals? - our new fabulous SUNPATIENS! They look simply stunning and congratulations to Ben - it was a well deserved win and we at Gardening Solutionz have fallen in love with the garden.
]]>We are also excited to see SunPatiens planted in Ben Hoyles gold medal garden - She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not - whose brief is - in the truly unexpected style we have come to expect from internationally renowned designer Ben Hoyle, set aside all preconceptions and be transported to a place of tranquil serenity. Here the traditional outdoor room has been artfully morphed into a giant waterlily where one or many can together and reflect upon still waters. This floating santuary is inspired by nature and one's desire to physically and mentally break away from terra firma from time to time. This garden explores the human element, that love-hate relationship Cantabrians share with their ever-changing environment and provides an innovative and hopeful perspective of adapting for the future. We wish Ben all the best - we think the garden looks amazing!
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The 'Marlborough Rock Daisy' is a hardy little soul (it has to be as it naturally clings to Kaikoura rock faces); that has striking silver grey, sometimes almost white looking rounded leaves. In summer, large white daisy-like flowers complement the silky, silvery leaves. Whether it is planted en masse amongst other natives or planted as a speciment, its leaf toning and daisy flowers will become a centre of attention. Its conditioning to its natural habitat make it extremely tolerant to strong winds. To thrive in the home garden, plant in a sunny, well drained spot and it will grow to approx 60 cm by 60 cm. This is one toughie that wont disappoint!
]]>SunPatiens offer a significant breakthrough in innovative breeding which deliver an impressive list of features:
Look out at your local garden centre for these scrumptious plants - they are available now in New Zealand.
]]>Residents will be wowed by gardens by young Royal Horticultural Society award-winning designer Tom Harfleet from London, Australian designers Rick Eckersley, Scott Leung and Myles Broad with their gold award-winning The Last Australian Garden from the 2010 Singapore Garden Festival and four future inner city Christchurch gardens by Ellerslie gold award winners and top New Zealand designers, Aucklanders Xanthe Waite and Tim Feather, Wellington's Ben Hoyle and the Canterbury Horticultural Society. With more than 40 gardens on display, it has to be one of the best shows to be seen in Christchurch.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz
]]>The Go Gardening magazine, available from members stores each spring, summer, autumn and winter is packed with seasonal advice and inspiration. Look for the sign for inspiration, advice and ideas that get results, provide some fun and you can share it all with family and friends. So get going, and get some growing at your nearest Go Gardening member store now.
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Developed in Japan more than five years ago, these beauties are the first impatiens to thrive in full hot sun all summer long. Performing with gusto, they will flower from spring right through to the first frost. They are at home in full sun or shade and are robust in nature.
One touch of their thick large showy petals is enough to see why these stunners are so tough and prosper anywhere. Use them in containers, baskets or in the garden and you'll be blessed with massive flower power and vigorous growth - it's all about flower and colour this season!
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