Waldecks Melville
Episode: #9 28/10/06
Presenter: Sue McDougall
Having a waterwise garden doesn?t mean you can only plant native species. Some very attractive and tough hardy plants are exotic and they thrive brilliantly in our harsh Western Australia conditions.
Many gardeners cringe when you mention the word exotic because immediately they think of plants that need extra care and love, when in fact the word exotic only means not native to Australia.
Many South African species have thrived in our climate, in fact there are a few varieties that have grown too well and are now environmental weeds, while others have behaved themselves and are a mainstay of our horticultural industry. One plant you may not have know was native to South Africa is the Pink Diosma (Coleonema pulchellum) and White Diosma or White Confetti Bush (Coleonema album). This tough plant is shunned by some because it is so common, but when if full flower you can?t go past it, it puts on a spectacular show and has aromatic foliage.
If you let Neville lose on it he will have it trimmed into a hedge in no time.
Since the introduction of water restrictions 5 years ago garden centres have extended their range of plants that can survive and thrive on 2 days a week watering. Sue just loves going shopping for plants because correct plant selection will make or break a garden design.
A tip when selecting plants for your own garden is to choose those varieties that will add some interest at different times of the year.
At every Waldecks store you will find a huge range of waterwise plants to get you started.
Ground covers are one of the best ways to add interest to the garden; they also act as living mulch and have flowers at all different times of the year. Bush Gem Kangaroo Paws (Anigozanthos) are available in a range of colours, they only grow to about 60cm high and the birds love them.
Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea ?Variegata?) is one of those though hardy plants that is being planted in road verges all around Perth. It had brightly variegated foliage a gorgeous mauve flowers in spring and summer.
If this whole gardening thing is new for you Sue recommends you call into a Waldecks garden centre for all the advice you need. Now don?t feel embarrassed by any questions you have as Wendy Lavin, the manager of Waldecks Melville, has heard them all!
The team and Melville pride themselves on helping their customers and they have over 100 years of experience combined. The advice they have for this week is that it is time to add mulch to the garden. Waldecks Mulching compost is a premium product and it is on special for Garden guru viewers at 4 bags for $19.99 until 3rd November.
While you are there don?t forget to enter the $20 000 landscaping prize that is on offer. The entries are coming thick and fast, but we want as many people as possible to have a chance to win.
Melville Waldecks
cnr North Lake Rd and McCoy Street
Melville WA 6156
Ph: +61 8 9330 6970
Fx: +61 8 9330 6839
AS SEEN ON 
