Hot Contrast! Now the weather is a little warmer this combination of contrasting colours demands attention and will last for months to come. MANDEVILLA 'JADE WHITE'
Mandevilla Diamantina Jade White is a compact plant with large, trumpet-shaped, pure white flowers with yellow centres. Given the right hot and humid conditions, it can bloom all summer long, and will eventually grow into a large, shrubby climber.
Salvia Blue Knight produces masses of bright blue flowers on tall stems through spring to autumn. Ideal for mixed containers or garden beds, they are renowned for their heat and drought tolerance. Plants can be cut back by 1/3 after a heavy flush to encourage further blooms. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
A compact hot orange variety of Calibrachoa, masses of vivid orange flowers appear throughout all warm seasons- spring to autumn. Ideal as a ground cover, garden boarder or for mixed plantings, pots and hanging baskets. Remove spent blooms to encourage new growth. Feed with rose fertiliser to encourage a mass of flowers
Osteospermum 'Sunshine Beauty' has vibrant orange edges that fade into a soft yellow centre. An abundance of flowers from spring through to autumn with new blooms that emerge in brighter, more vibrant hues leading to three shades of blooms at one time. Fresh and vibrant 'Sunshine Beauty' is heat tolerant and is ideal in landscapes, containers or baskets.
Selaginella Peacock Moss is a unique low growing plant with a spreading habit which produces iridescent blue fern-like foliage. Position: Prefers a filtered light position. Soil: Prefers a peat based potting mix which is free draining. Watering: Water when soil feels dry or plant starts to droop. Keep soil moist but not wet, watering more in summer and less in winter. Fertilise: Liquid fertilise in warmer weather or add slow release fertiliser to the potting mix. Use: Suitable for pots and baskets. Growing Tips: Prune to keep desired shape.
A compact chilli from Thailand. Masses of tiny upright crimson-red fruit with the Thai name Prik kil Noo Suan.
Chilies require heat to grow well, so in Melbourne they are planted in spring and harvested during late summer and into autumn. Cultivate the soil beforehand using plenty of compost. Plant in a sunny spot with good air circulation, as they are prone to fungal problems, and avoid planting where tomatoes and eggplants have grown in the previous three years.
Although they love the heat, it is worth shielding them on days of extreme temperatures to prevent flower loss.
For an organic alternative for weeds try Slasher, which can be applied in the same way and also comes in a spray or concentrate bottle.
Weed kill comes in both regular and a fast acting spray, or in a concentrate bottle for more vast applications. Weed Kill can be applied directly onto the weed's leaves and added as often as needed until they are under control.
EXPERT TIP- for hideous weeds like oxalis, a week after spraying, cover with 3 layers of newspaper and a thick layer of BARK MULCH to prevent them reemerging in spring.
