Episode: New Zealand? Bay of Plenty

Bulbous plants like the stunning Renga Renga or Rock Lily make superb potted plants. Now the beauty of growing them in pots is that when they are in full flower you push them out front and when the flower goes you move them to backstage.

The Pineapple Lily (Eucomis comosa ?Sparkling Burgundy?) has a flower that looks just like a pineapple. The Sparkling Burgundy variety has a purple flower, loves the sun and the more its gets the more colour you get in the foliage.

A brand new variety of agapanthus called Summer Blue (Agapanthus hybrid cv. ?Summer Blue?) cut beautifully so you can put them in a vase inside. What a great looking patio plant it also makes and is almost completely un-killable.

Tropicanna Canna (Canna Hybrid cv. ?Tropicana?) is a successful summer flowering plant and is a lovely foliage contrast, particularly between the Tropicana variety and Tropicana Gold. Planting one of each in a pot looks great.

These plants will grow on a patio in full sun but believe it or not you can actually sink them into a pond as they are terrific aquatic plants as well.

There is also the Day Lily (Hemerocallis) which some folks are put off by the name because it suggests that the flower only lasts a day. It is quite right, but the plants are so prolific there is always a great show of flowers right through the summer months. With the colours, there is a whole range and also different sizes; tall ones right down to mini?s.

The potting process is a bit complicated. When it comes to potting mix go for a bulb mix like Yates Bulb Mix or if you cant find one then regular Thrive Potting Mix is terrific.

Pour it in around the roots, tap it down and there you go.

Featured Products

Yates Bulb Mix

• Can be used for all potted and garden planted bulbs
• Free draining mix.
• Designed for planting and growing bulbs in both containers and in the garden.
• Contains Nutricote controlled release fertiliser to feed for up to 9 months

Thrive Premium Potting Mix

• Ideal for all potted plants and shrubs including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegetables and herbs
• Contains Nutricote controlled release fertiliser to feed up to nine months.
• Added wetting agent allows the mix to absorb water quickly thoroughly and allows for easy re-wetting of the mix.
• Organic based blend.

www.bayofplentynz.com

www.newzealand.com