The Star: September 08, 2016

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Thursday September 8 2016 25
Gardening
Lavender: Fragrant
floral beauty
Do you have a
long-standing
love affair with
one of the world’s
most recognised
plants? Rachel
Vogan tells you
how to get the best
out of lavender
EASILY ONE of the
most recognisable
plants, lavender is a goto
perennial shrub for
many. The fragrance is
renowned for its relaxing
properties, the flowers
last for days when picked
and it is a good cut-flower
option for drying, too.
With a history that
dates back centuries, it
is a plant that has stood
the test of time. Hailing
from the Mediterranean,
where summers are hot
and winters are dry,
lavender is at its best in
a position that matches
its heritage; full sun with
excellent drainage. That
doesn’t mean it doesn’t
need any water, it certainly
does, especially for the
first few months after
transplanting out into
the garden or planters.
BEE FRIENDLY
Bees and butterflies love
lavender as much as we
do. Bees will gorge on the
flowers from sunup to
sundown, often hanging
mid-air on a flower, almost
drunk-like after their fill,
resting for a few hours
only to suck some more
nectar once they wake
up again. Be mindful
of bees when planting
masses of lavender
AROMA: Sweet Romance’ is new on the lavender
scene, and excellent for hedging.
around outdoor living
areas. In places where
children or people will be
frequenting, the bees may
not always be as welcome.
FOUR MAIN TYPES
OF LAVENDER
ARE GROWN
English lavender –
Lavandula angustifolia
This neat mound-forming
plant flowers once in late
spring and covers itself
in pungent dark purple,
blue, pink or white flower
spikes. It is an ideal low
hedge plant, for a sunny,
hot dry position in the
garden. Prune after
flowering in summer or
autumn. It is this type
of lavender that is often
used in potpourri and
for oil production.
•Turn to page 26
GARDENING GUIDE
Fuchsias
If you are looking for a wonderful plant
to brighten up dark, gloomy parts of the
garden then a fuchsia should be high on
your list. This plant genus consists of about
100 species, with thousands of hybrids and
cultivars. They come in a variety of forms,
most with bicoloured ballerina flowers
ranging from red, white, pink and purple.
Although generally winter dormant, fuchsias
are frost tender with delicate new spring
growth which needs protection against frost
burn. As well as needing protection from
frost, the new growth is also wind sensitive,
so staking the plant when needed, and
placement in an area protected from high
winds is ideal. Fuchsias are a perennial which
like to grow in full or semi-shade, but they can
withstand morning sun, and prefer moist, welldrained
soil. Fuchsias are prolific flowering
plants, making it a good idea to feed them a
slow release fertiliser such as Oderings Total
Replenish, as they start to form buds, but be
careful when fertilising as too much or too
strong a fertiliser can burn them. Fuchsias
are also relatively pest free, with the
occasional issue of whitefly, aphids, rust or
mildew, but with a sensible spray program
these are easily managed.
Fuchsias are one of the few plants that
provide large, bright flowers in shade. They
are great for growing in tubs or the garden as
they come in a good height range, from 30cm
to 1m. There are also many with a cascading
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As your cutting grows keep removing the
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fuchsias stem to the cane. When your plant
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the top bud, this will prevent it growing any
higher and will encourage the plant to branch
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balanced umbrella.
Whether you want a garden specimen, a pot
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Find all our Gardening Guide articles online at
www.oderings.co.nz
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