The Star: August 10, 2023

The Star Thursday August 10 2023
22
GARDENING
Sth American native
adds gloss to winter
NATIVE TO temperate and
subtropical regions of South
America, Azara is a genus of 11
evergreen species.
They grow as shrubs or trees
between 1m and 8m tall.
The leaves appear in an unusual
pattern along the stems, which
is an interesting characteristic of
this genus.
Pairs of differently shaped
leaves are arranged alternately
along the stems though the
smaller leaf of the pair is not a
true leaf but a leaf-like stipule.
In late winter or early spring
an abundance of dainty yellow
flowers appears. The small
fragrant flowers have no petals
but rather display a conspicuous
bunch of long bright yellow
stamens
Probably the most well-known
of the Azara species is the sweetscented
“vanilla tree”, Azara
microphylla, native of Chile and
Argentina.
In early spring the scent of A.
microphylla fills the air with a
sweet enticing vanilla-like fragrance
emanating from its small
yellow flowers.
The name microphylla describes
this species’ small leaves.
Azaramicrophylla “Variegata”,
a yellow-variegated cultivar of
the vanilla tree, is also popular in
gardens, though less hardy than
the true species.
The lesser-known species in
this genus also provide interest
and charm to the garden.
Azara integrifolia, native to
Chile, has lush evergreen foliage,
Brought to you by
larger oval leaves and puts on a
stunning showy display of yellow
flowers in late winter.
Azara dentata and A. serrata
also show off their glossy green
leaves with toothed margins in
the South American borders to
good effect.
Alpine grass valued
by landscapers
NEW ZEALAND’S alpine
grasslands are dominated by
tussock grasses from the genus
Chionochloa.
Collectively known as ‘snow
tussocks’, the 23 indigenous
members of the genus range in
size and character.
At one end of the spectrum are
tall, stout species reminiscent
of toetoe. At the other end are
low-growing carpet formers.
Distributions range from local
to widespread. Leaves can be
dark green, reddish, golden
or silvery. Hybridism between
species is common.
Despite their hardiness and
longevity in the wild, many
species of snow tussock can be
difficult to grow and maintain
to their full potential. However,
there are a few ‘good doers’ that
are valued by landscapers and
gardeners.
Graceful Chionochloa rubra,
with slender, copper-coloured
leaves, reaches 1m to 1.6m
tall and suits being planted en
masse.
Chionochloa rigida, another
widespread South Island species,
is more straw coloured but can
be similarly stunning.
Mid-green Chionochloa
flavicans is more compact. It
www.arvida.co.nz
retains its attractive flowering
plumes for many weeks.
Chionochloa conspicua,
being rather large, makes a
magnificent feature plant. It can
handle a touch of shade and has
many delicate, feathery flower
heads in summer.
Other species deserve
to be used more widely, but
sadly are seldom stocked in
nurseries.
Snow tussocks tend to look
good in windy, exposed spots,
their flowing leaves adding
texture and dynamism to a
planting. With few exceptions,
they need plenty of light and
space, and will perform best in
decent, moist soil.
Get ready to brighten up your garden
EVEN AS winter intensifies, it’s
time to think ahead to spring
and summer.
In warmer districts, hardy
annuals can be sown where they
are to flower. As with all seeds,
the trick is to have the soil well
prepared before sowing. Once
seedlings appear, thin them out
to prevent overcrowding.
Hardy, prolific and reliable
flowers include alyssum,
calendula, coreopsis,
candytuft, cornflower, clarkia,
godetia, Californian poppy
(Eschscholtzia), larkspur, linaria,
linum, nightscented stock
(Matthiolabicornis), mignonette,
love in a mist (Nigella), pansy
and viscaria.
Nasturtiums flower all
summer in full sun or partial
shade.
They do well in poor soil but
are frost tender, so should not
be planted out until the danger
of frost has passed. Varieties
such as Black Velvet, Empress of
India, Peach Melba, Whirlybird
types and the semi-double
Salmon Baby are more compact
than older trailing types and do
not take off across the garden.
Perennials to raise from
seed from now until the end
of October include granny’s
bonnet (Aquilegia), dianthus,
dahlia, delphinium, gaillardia,
geum, gypsophila, hollyhock,
lupin, penstemon, polyanthus,
pyrethrum and viola.
These will all flower within 12
months and some will bloom in
their first season.
Start them in trays of seedraising
mix, then plant them
in the open garden when they
have made some growth. They
can be transplanted into their
permanent positions in autumn.
–ODT
BRILLIANT:
Nasturtiums
flower all
summer in full
sun or partial
shade.