This is sweet box, related to common box, has all the hallmarks of a great hedging or edging plant, and lots more.
For a start it’s extremely tough, it doesn’t have any problems with pests or diseases, and requires very little water. You can also use it for under planting or in containers - and it’s really versatile because it can tolerate both dense shade and full sun - although it may yellow a little in full sun.
The best thing about it is that the sweet perfume drifts through the entire garden and it flowers for around 4-6 weeks during winter when not much else is flowering. With so much going for it - it is a must-have plant for spring.
Gardenias don’t always enjoy cold winters and in Melbourne a warm spot may be needed to grow them well. The Gardenia Augusta ’Florida’, flowers really well locally but the leaves tend to go a little bit yellow if they get too cold, which can also be a sign that they need feeding.
The secret to great looking gardenias is to water and feed consistently during the warmer months. Always apply a good dose of slow release fertiliser in the spring. Then through the warmer months, continue to feed them with a nutritious organic food like Dynamic lifter. Applied little and often, about every six weeks, will give them a good kick along.
Nothing says spring like Daffodils but of course when the beautiful displays start to fade it can be tempting to cut the yellowing foliage. However you should actually allow it to die down naturally, and provide the bulb with energy to form next years flowers. So resist the urge and instead give them a weekly feed with a complete liquid fertiliser like Thrive All Purpose at half strength as they are finishing their display.
A couple of years ago the state government introduced permanent water saving rules; common sense approaches which encourage all of us to value this precious resource. These rules are different from water restrictions, which only come into effect in times of major drought. They are permanent changes, many of which effect gardeners.
Week 1 Rule:
It is important to remember that we can only use Manual watering systems (the kind you turn on or off by hand) between 8pm and 10 am, any day of the week.
Help is at hand to make following the Rules easy - visit the Our Water Our Future website or contact your government water retailer for more information.
Featured Products
Thrive All Purpose Liquid Fertiliser
- Fast acting liquid fertiliser.
- Ideal for feeding a wide range of ornamental flower, shrubs, trees as well as vegetables and herbs.
- Feeds through foliage and roots.
- Easy to measure and mix.
Dynamic Lifter Potting Mix
- Ideal for potted ornamental plants and shrubs, fruit trees, herbs and vegetables.
- Also be used as a soil improver.
- Based on natural, organic ingredients.
- Contains Dynamic Lifter Organic plant food to nourish plants & encourage beneficial soil micro-organisms and earthworms.
