36 Thursday <strong>November</strong> <strong>30</strong> <strong>2017</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong>
<strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery visit www.tauponativeplant.co.nz to view all current specimens, availability and prices <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday <strong>November</strong> <strong>30</strong> <strong>2017</strong> 37 Gardening STRIKING: Marigolds in full bloom. <strong>The</strong>y flower annually. Still time to plant IF YOU haven’t got your summer planting finished it’s not too late to get your vegetables and flowers in the ground. Hopefully, you will at least have your soil ready for planting. If not, then add in plenty of compost or garden mix now and combine well with your existing soil before you plant out. <strong>The</strong>re is something special about growing your own vegetables – watching them grow from seed/seedling to a scrumptious crop through your own tender loving care might be why they taste better. No matter how big or small the space available; you can successfully grow veges in regular garden beds, raised beds or in pots and containers. Tasty vegetables to plant now include beans, beetroot, carrots, celery, corn, cucumber, onions, peas, pumpkin, radish, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and zucchini, not to mention the great range of lettuces available. If space really is an issue, there are plenty of dwarf varieties you can grow. For plants that need support like tomatoes or beans, put your support stakes/structures in place before you plant your young plant so you don’t disturb the roots later on. Summer flowering annuals can also be planted now in either beds or large containers. Flower varieties to grow are alyssum, aster, cornflower, cosmos, livingstone daisy, lobelia, marigold, SWEET: Pumpkins should now be developing well. nemesia, portulaca, petunia, statice, salvia, stock, sunflowers and zinnia – to name just a few. Also, think about planting some varieties in your vegetable garden to help attract bees and other beneficial insects to aid pollination. Fresh herbs can also now be safely planted, such as basil, chives, dill, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, tarragon, thyme and rosemary. <strong>The</strong>y can be grown successfully in containers or in the garden, preferring a hot, free-draining site. Add some fertiliser to fruit trees and shrubs to encourage growth. Citrus trees should be fed with a specific citrus fertiliser. Do not apply fertiliser in very dry hot conditions such as the peak of summer when plants can suffer from heat or moisture stress. Keep garden design simple SIMPLE, uncluttered garden design is especially appropriate when space is limited. Whether you want a serene look or something dramatic, you can achieve it by mass planting just a few carefully chosen plant species, each with strong features. Flowers are not essential (year round good looks and healthy foliage are more important), but as seasonal highlights they can make the garden all the more interesting. Mass planting by itself can be dull. Break up the monotony by choosing an accent plant that can be repeated throughout the design. Planting in pots adds extra zing and makes it easy to change or relocate your accent plants when you feel like a new look, or a change between seasons. As well as accents, every garden needs a strong focal point. Often a sculpture, this could also be a piece of furniture or garden architecture, a water feature, or just one stunning plant in a spectacular pot. Container gardening is a great way to enjoy getting your hands dirty. <strong>The</strong> trend is towards simplicity – bigger pots and less of them. Classy containers deserve classy plants, and those that last the distance. For pots in prime positions choose plants with a strong WARM: Use canna tropicanna for visual affect. STRONG: Mass planting provides this corner with something dramatic. well defined shape, preferably symmetrical so that they look good from all angles. Cordyline red fountain is one such plant. Its cascading mass of bright burgundy leaves rises from a short central base, becoming thicker and more lavish with time. Tolerant of dry spells, cordyline red fountain performs exceptionally well in a large pot. Another spectacular container plant is cordyline caruba black. With wide shiny purple-black leaves and a strongly upright habit (up to 1.2m tall by 45cm wide), it makes a striking contrast in both colour and form. Bromeliads and slow growing cycads (sago palms) are ideal container plants for warm climates. <strong>The</strong> favourite bromeliad for big pots is Alcantarea imperialis, a stunningly symmetrical plant with bold leathery leaves. Alcantera is a warm climate plant but will tolerate cold nights, and even light frosts once settled. Containers offer a no fuss way to enjoy the seasonal colour of bulbs and flowering annuals. When flowering stops, pots can be replanted or simply moved from view. A fabulous summer accent plant for a warm climate garden is canna tropicanna. Fantastic in large containers, it is loved for its fiery striped leaves, followed by tall bright orange flower spikes. Cut right back in autumn the vibrant leaves reappear with fresh brilliance in spring. When we plant whole groups of a few carefully chosen varieties, the effect is bold and deliberate, bringing strength and character to the garden. But not all plants are suitable for mass planting. Anything with a down time is going to be a blot on your landscape for a large part of the year. So the first priority is to choose a plant that looks great for at least most of the year. No. 200-0051 Name Name No. 200-0051 $200 Gift Voucher $ 200 T WO HUNDRED DOLL ARS Date of issue Name <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery Taupo Garden Centre 155 Centennial Drive Taupo No. 50-0251 No. Date of issue This voucher may only be redeemed at <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery and its outlets: <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery Taupo 155 Centennial Drive Taupo Ph: 07 378 5450 <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery Taupo Garden Centre 155 Centennial Drive Taupo Ph: 07 378 5450 <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery Waiuku 341 Glenbrook-Waiuku Road South Auckland Ph: 09 235 3543 Name 50-0251 Gift Voucher <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery South Island 1350 Lake Brunner Road Rotomanu S.I. Ph: 03 738 0634 $50 FIF T Y DOLL ARS P: 07 378 5450 Date of issue Valid for 12 months from date of issue. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash Date of issue This voucher may only be redeemed at <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery and its outlets: <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery Taupo 155 Centennial Drive Taupo Ph: 07 378 5450 Name Date of issue Taupo Garden Centre 155 Centennial Drive Taupo GIVE a GARDEN FOR CHRISTMAS P: 07 378 5450 Christchurch Garden Centre Open daily 9:00 am – 4:<strong>30</strong> pm 478 Marshland Road, Marshland Telephone : 03 385 9008 <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery Taupo Garden Centre 155 Centennial Drive Taupo Ph: 07 378 5450 <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery Waiuku 341 Glenbrook-Waiuku Road South Auckland Ph: 09 235 3543 <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery South Island 1350 Lake Brunner Road Rotomanu S.I. Ph: 03 738 0634 Valid for 12 months from date of issue. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash visit www.tauponativeplant.co.nz to view all current specimens, availability and prices …with native plant gift vouchers No. 20-0451 No. 20-0451 Gift Voucher $ 20 Name Date of issue This voucher may only be redeemed at <strong>The</strong> Native Plant Nursery and its outlets: T WENT Y DOLL ARS <strong>The</strong> Native Plant N