Hot n Dry Solutionz™

Astelia Westland

Megan Baker — 2008-04-15T03:12:53Z

This hardy evergreen Astelia with its stunning stiffly arched reddish bronze leaves has all year round appeal. Its easycare, compact habit and colour make it compatible with all modern home decor and garden landscapes. Astelia Westland is a fabulous foliage plant ideal for mass or container planting alongside Euphorbia Kea and Tui, Cabbage Trees, Scleranthus or other foliage of this nature. It can tolerate most climatic situations throughout New Zealand, best suited to partial shade in good soils. This plant is approximately two years old when it reaches the garden centre and will double in size over the next two years eventually growing to a height of 1 m x 1 m.

This excerpt appeared in The Press newspaper March 2008:
Those who want a plant with a difference in the garden might like to try Astelia nervosa Westland. A cultivar of the 13 species recorded in New Zealand, this astelia is compact, with rusty, gold, silver and bronze arching leaves. Stylish in form, it is suited to mass planting in amost all garden from city balconies to suburban beds and borders, coastal sites and rockeries. It looks particularly spectacular planted amongst schist and stone. While it remains relatively small in a pot, such as at the front door, once freed in the garden, it can reach 1m by 1m. Its tolerance is high ranging from the harshest Canterbury frosts to pounding coastal winds. This astelia needs very little attention. Astelia nervosa Westland is now available as a Hot n Dry Solutionz in most local garden centres.

Bronze Rambler

escott — 2006-10-19T23:23:26Z

This evergreen has dense bronze foliage with masses of wine red toothbrush like flowers and is able to tolerate extremes in hot, dry weather conditions. It is ideal for weed suppressing, spilling over a wall or cascading down a bank. This plant is approximately eighteen months old and you can expect it to triple in size over the next two years, growing to a height of 15cm by 2m if desired.

Cistus Bennetts White

escott — 2006-12-06T02:12:25Z

A reliable and quick growing plant which has healthy dark green leaves all year round. Large white paper like flowers with a yellow centre (sometimes called the Poached Egg flower)covers the plant in spring and summer months. A stylish and reliable rockrose that is tolerant to extremes in heat and cold. Cistus will grow in most free draining soils and stands up to winds and coastal conditions. A great background shrub, that fills gaps, forms hedges and creates focal points. This plant is approximately eighteen months old when it reaches the garden centre and over the next three years will triple in size growing to a height of 2 metres by 1.5 metres if desired.

Convolvulus Cneorum

norman — 2006-11-30T00:37:20Z

Convolvulus Cneorum is a prolific flowering, low growing shrub. The clean silver foliage covers the plant all year round and the cup shaped white flowers open in late spring and continue throughout the summer and autumn months. It needs a sunny free draining position preferring full sun. Protect from severe frosts in the first season. It is perfect plant for small hedges or garden borders, looks great in a decorative pot and is a fantastic general garden plant. This plant is approximately eighteen months old when it reaches the garden centre and over the next three years it will triple in size growing to a height of 0.4 metres by 0.8 metres if desired.

Cotinus Royal Purple

escott — 2006-12-19T01:43:22Z

This deciduous tree, commonly known as the purple smoke bush, is renowned for its incredible, deep claret-purple foliage from spring and through summer. Mid-summer sees a display of pinky-mauve flowers at the foliage tips making it a superb back ground planting in modern home courtyards and gardens. Cotinus is incredible hardy, suited in most hot and dry and exposed situations, easily compatible amongst other easy care and structured plantings. This plant is approximately eighteen months old when it reaches the garden centre and over the next two years it will triple in size growing to a height of 2 metres by 1.5 metres if desired.

Cotinus Royal Purple or commonly known as the smoke bush, has an enchanting fairytale look with its dark purple foliage which in mid summer sees a display of pinky mauve flowers at the foliage tips that resembles a smoke haze. this stunning deciduous large shrub/small tree may well be one of the prettiest you will ever plant. For extra effect it is best planted so that the sunlight can shine through the leaves as they take on rich red shades before dropping in late autumn. The intense colour is perhaps the Cotinus Royal Purple's most dramatic outstanding feature which should be utilized to form a dramatic dark backdrop for bright green and sensational silver foliage. It is best grown in an open and sunny situation, needing free draining soil and does best if not over fed or fussed over. Its hardiness makes it ideal for growing in exposed locations and its easy care nature makes it a hit with modern day living!
The Press, Christchurch - January 2008 Plant Of The Month

Lavender Avonview

escott — 2006-12-06T20:42:45Z

With masses of deep purple flowers it is ideal for cottage gardens. It performs best in full sun and responds well to regular pruning. Lavenders are consistent favourites with gardeners, and no wonder, for they provide masses of beautiful flowers over a long period in summer and they are easy to grow, providing there’s plenty of sunshine and good drainage. One of the great things about lavender, apart from its flowers and foliage, is the aroma which is released when cutting. This plant is approximately one year old and will triple in size over the next two years growing to a height of 0.6 metres by 0.6 metres if desired.

An article written by Gardening Solutionz

Lavender - Italian, Spanish or French?
There's nothing quite like the colour and scent of lavender in Spring time! Lavenders, an aromatic garden favourite are truly out and about in Garden Centres this spring. Not only are they a selection for herb gardens and cottage gardens, but a great choice for dry and coastal conditions. With a large variety of uses, Mediterranean lavenders are one of our country's gardeners most successful and rewarding plants with their prolific flowering. Lavender Avonview is one that really stands out with its masses of deep purple violet bracts. With long stems, ready for the picking and its lavender blue flower spikes, is simply a stunner. Lavender Avonview is a great choice for hedging, ornamental, mass planting or as a general garden plant.

Lavender Bee Brilliant

Greg Kitson — 2008-08-17T23:15:41Z

Bred for its compact habit and prolific flowering, this evergreen Lavender produces an abundance of dense rich dark purple flowers from early spring through to late summer. This Lavender is ideal in a decorative pot, mass planted or as a general garden plant. It's perfect in dried flower arrangements and renowned for its fragrance. Lavender performs best in full sun and responds well to regular pruning. This plant is approximately one year old when it reaches the Garden Centre and will triple in size over the next two years growing to a height of 50cm by 50cm if desired.

Lavender Hidcote Blue

Greg Kitson — 2008-08-17T23:15:55Z

This English lavender has a compact habit, producing a dense mass of short stemmed blooms with dark blue button like flowers in late spring to into the summer months. Its evergreen and hardy nature make it superb mass planted, ideal in dried flower arrangements, as a general garden plant and renowned for its fragrance. Lavender performs best in full sun and responds well to regular pruning. This plant is approximately one year old when it reaches the Garden Centre and will triple in size over the next two years, growing to a height of 30cm by 30cm if desired.

Lavender Pukehou

escott — 2006-12-06T20:55:54Z

Vibrant bright purple flowers cover Lavender Pukehou from mid spring through to late summer. This Lavender is ideal for hedging, looks great in a decorative pot, mass planted or as a general garden plant. A perfect plant for cottage gardens. It performs best in full sun and responds well to regular pruning. This plant is approximately one year old when it reaches the garden centre and will triple in size over the next two years growing to a height of 0.6 metres by 0.6 metres if desired.

As featured in The Press Plant of the Month September 2007:
Lavender was among the earliest plants introduced to New Zealand by Europeans and it's still an aromatic garden favourite. Lavender Pukehou, a Stoechas or Mediterranean variety, is characterised by silver foliage and intense violet compressed flower spikes topped with striking purple bracts. It was selected by Mary Robertson, formerly of Pukehou Nurseries in Manakau outside Levin. Significantly Pukehou is a Maori name meaning hills of dedication.

Lavender Pukehou flowers from mid spring through to late summer. It looks stunning massed, as a low hedge, or a a super specimen. As with most lavenders, it does well in most types of well drained soils and is best grown in full sun and is hardy. For best results keep trimming after each flower flush finishes.

Lavender Stoechas Major

escott — 2006-12-06T20:58:12Z

One of the best Lavenders produces an abundance of rich dark purple flowers and puts on quite a show from early in spring and into summer. It has strong stems, brilliant flower heads and performs best in full sun and responds well to regular pruning. It is a great choice for hedging, topiary work and for training as a standard. Lavender Major likes well drained soil and to maintain shape, clip to about two thirds its size after flowering. This plant is approximately one year old when it reaches the garden centre and will triple in size over the next two years growing to a height of 0.6 metres by 0.6 metres if desired.

Mt Tamborintha

escott — 2006-10-19T23:23:26Z

With pale green grey foliage producing masses of red to cream spider-like flowers it is able to tolerate dry and exposed conditions. It is best suited planted in full sun, in well-drained soils along with Lavenders, Cistus and Hebes. This plant is approximately eighteen months old and you can expect it to triple in size over the next two years, growing to a height of 40cm by 1.5m if desired.

Nandina Firepower

escott — 2006-10-19T23:23:26Z

Renowned for its contrasting foliage which changes from pale lime green and yellow in spring to vivid pinks and reds then to rich deep red tones in autumn. For maximum colour changes it needs full sun and free draining soils but avoid windy and exposed positions. This plant is approximately eighteen months old and you can expect it to triple in size over the next two years eventually growing to a height of 60cm by 60cm.

Nandina Firepower

Megan Baker — 2008-03-31T00:07:12Z

This heavenly evergreen is renowned for its contrasting foliage colour throughout the seasons. Its non-invasive, bamboo foliage changes from pale lime green and yellow in spring to vivid pinks and reds, then to rich deep red tones in autumn. This compact, tidy plant is ideal in rockeries, mass planted and in containers. For maximum colour changes, it needs full sun and free draining soils. However, do try and avoid windy and exposed positions. This plants is appoximately eighteen months old when it reaches the garden centre and you can expect it to triple in size over the next two years eventually growing to a height of 60 cm by 60 cm.

The following excerpt appeared in The Press newspaper May 2008:
What a hot little number! For a truly specatacular ray of light in your garden when the winter chills are closing in on us, try Nandina Firepower, a Structured Solutionz by Gardening Solutionz. Evergreen and compact,this dwarf Nandina with non invasive bamboo-like foliage has pale lime green and yellow leaves in summertime. The leaves turn to a deep flaming red colour in autumn and retain these shades throughout winter. If it was on a fashion catwalk it would truly standout, no accessories needed. Growing to 60 cm by 60 cm, loving full sun and being hardy means this little number requires very little maintenance. Where space is a premium plant this one in a container, or in a larger space, plant in cluster for effect. With its standout foliage colour try planting alongside dark foliage plants such as Euphorbia Tui or Phormium Black Rage for true contrast.

Pachystegia Insignis

norman — 2006-11-30T00:25:08Z

The ‘Marlborough Rock Daisy’ is a hardy, New Zealand native evergreen that is chosen for its striking, silver grey, sometimes almost white looking, rounded leaves. In summer, large white daisy-like flowers complement the silky, silvery leaves. Pachystegia Insignis naturally occur on dry, rocky and coastal areas, making it extremely tolerant to strong winds. For it to thrive in the home garden or container, it needs excellent root drainage to prevent any fungal problems. Therefore plant in a sunny spot. This plant is approximately two years old when it reaches the garden centre and over the next three years it will triple in size, growing to a height of 0.6 metres by 0.6 metres.

Rosemary Blue Lagoon

escott — 2006-12-07T00:15:15Z

Dark green fragrant foliage covers this plant all year round. In summer clusters of dark blue flowers appear up and down the stems. The foliage can be used in cooking either fresh or dried. Rosemary is a resilient plant that thrives in dry situations, ideal for hedging and easy to shape. This plant is approximately eighteen months old when it reaches the garden centre and over the next three years it should at least triple in size growing to a height of 0.6 metres and spreading to 1.2 metres if desired.