SUCCULENTS

Succulents are robust plants with fleshy leaves and stems. They are the ultimate minimal maintenance plants. Ideal for rockeries or as pot plants. Grow in well drained soil in a sunny position. Tolerant of dry conditions and poor soil.

• Full sun 
• Warm frost free
• Well drained soil

Tulbaghia violacea

Easy to grow bulb, forming clumps of attractive, narrow, grey-green leave that have strong garlic scent. Clusters of lavender purple flowers appear on long stems in summer. Ideal plant for borders, cottage gardens or mixed garden beds. Ideal for pots and containers. Grow in a sunny to partly shaded position in moist, well-drained soil. Feed annually with a complete fertilizer.

• Full sun/ part shade
• Height to 40cm
• Summer 

LIGUSTRUM, GOLDEN PRIVET (Ligustrum ovalifolium ‘Aureum’)

This fast-growing evergreen shrub has colourful, golden-green, variegated foliage and small, white flowers. Ideal for hedging and screening in partly shaded and built-up city sites.

Prefers a warm, sunny to partly shaded position and will tolerate a range of soils, and periods of dryness. Clip regularly for hedging and shaping.

• Full sun/ part shade 
• Height 2-3m
• Great screen
• Harmful if eaten.

LAVENDER, French (Lavandula dentata)

A vigorous lavender with highly aromatic greyish-green, toothed leaves and spikes of pale violet-blue flowers. Ideal for formal or informal shrub borders, cottage gardens, rockeries and patio containers. Can be clipped into a neat hedge. Grow in a sunny, open position in well-drained soil. Tolerant of light shade, coastal and dry conditions once established. Pruning lightly after flowering maintains compact growth. Best in winter/spring.

• Full sun/ part shade 
• Height to 1.5m, width to 1.5m

FIRE STICKS (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’)

Resembling sea coral, fire sticks are a striking evergreen succulent shrub forming a thicket of brilliantly coloured, loosely branching, vertical stems. As thin as pencils, the distinctive stems exhibit a reddish-golden colour which fades to yellow shades in summer before changing back to redder tones in winter. Perfect addition to beds, borders, coastal gardens and Mediterranean gardens.

• Height 1-2.5m
• Full sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant 
• Toxic to dogs, cats & horses.

CUPHEA WHITE (Cuphea hyssopifolia)

Charming low growing compact plant, great for rockeries, baskets, and groundcover. Bright foliage covered in white flowers for most of the year. Cuphea is an extremely low maintenance plant; thriving with a minimum of care and is frost and dry tolerant once stablished. Water regularly during dry periods however, it will survive an occasional dry spell.

• Full sun 
• Height 45-70cm, width 45-60cm   
• Spring, Autumn 

VIBURNUM (Viburnum odoratissimum)

Evergreen, fast growing, medium to large shrub with rich green, shiny leaves. In spring large clusters of tiny, fragrant, white flowers are produced and are followed by red berries. An excellent shrub for hedging or screening or as a specimen tree for smaller gardens. Grow in a sunny to partly shaded position in moist, well drained soil. Adaptable to most soil types. Benefits from mulching over the drier months and light pruning after flowering.

• Full sun/ part shade
• Height to 4m & width to 4m
• Spring

HYDRANGEA (Hydrangeaceae)

Hardy deciduous shrub with large, spectacular flower heads in summer. Ideal for shady garden beds, adding much colour and interest. Flowers are great for cutting, fresh or dried. Requires moist, well drained soil in a partly shaded site protected from hot sun and high winds. Tolerated frost.

• Part shade
• Summer flowering  
• Water moderately

BROMELIAD (Bromeliaceae)

Ideal for containers indoors, on patios and verandahs and in the garden. Grow outdoors in a sheltered, partly shaded position in moist, well drained soil. Grow indoors in a brightly lit position. Keep rosettes filled with water. Avoid fertilisers containing copper.

• Outdoors, part shade
• Indoors brightly lit. 
• Protect from frost.
• Great for pots

ASPIDISTRA (Aspidistra elatior)

Attractive, compact evergreen plant with clumping glossy, dark green leaves. Ideal for sub-tropical, shady gardens. Great for decorative pots indoors. Grow in warm shaded position in moist, well drained soil. Keep evenly moist but not wet. Feed regularly with liquid fertilizer.

• Height 60cm, width 60cm 
• Foliage plant 
• Indoors
• Hard to kill house plant. 

FUCHSIA

A beautiful plant which has lovely dainty flowers from late spring to early winter. They grow happily in the garden, pot or hanging basket. They prefer morning sun and afternoon dappled shade. Will not tolerate severe frost and don’t like being in hot winds. Mulch the soil/ potting mix and don’t over water. Prune by half at the end of the season.

• Part sun/ shade, keep moist in summer.

EPIDENDRUM ORCHID

Epidendrum orchids are persistent and often bloom several times over the season. The plants are used to low nutrient sites and can live on just bark or grow in pots with orchid medium. The plants are amazingly adapted to a variety of conditions. Warm interior conditions are the plant’s preferred state, but they will tolerate temperatures down to 10 degrees C. While they prefer indirect bright light, they perform nicely in brighter to dimmer conditions. Cut off the spent flower stems and you will find the plant blooming again in about two months. Orchids like to be pot bound, so re-potting is not terribly important.

DRACAENA SPECIES (Dracaena)

Small trees or shrubs with fleshy, cane-like stems and trunks bearing a crown of glossy, strap like leaves. Leave may be highly coloured, spotted, or striped. Can be grown outside in warm climates, yet well suited to container, where they can be useful indoor plants. Prefers a sunny, well drained position. In colder climates grow in pots indoors or on patios and    verandas. Allow to dry out between watering Tolerated dry conditions. Fertilise in spring with a slow-release fertiliser.

AGAPANTHUS Blue (Agapanthus praecox)

Vigorous evergreen perennial bearing tall blue flower heads in late spring and summer. Ideal for garden beds, borders and edging driveways. Thrives in full sun or semi-shade in most sites. Remove spent flower heads as they fade to prevent seed set and unwanted spread.

• Full sun/ part shade
• Height to 1m  
• Spring/ summer 
• Harmful if eaten. Skin & eye irritant

ROSEMARY Blue (Rosmarinus officinalis)

The aromatic, narrow leaves of this Mediterranean shrub have long been used to flavour various dishes. Over the warmer months delicate blue flowers appear. Great for low hedges and ideal for containers, seaside gardens and general garden planting. Thrives in sunny, open positions in well drained soil and will tolerate short periods of dryness. Prune back after flowering to maintain compact growth.

• Sun/ part shade   
• Height to 1m
• Scented foliage
• Well drained soil

CITRUS GEMS, FINGER LIME TREE (Citrus australasica)

Green sapphire is a beautiful addition to the garden, it has endearing willowy habit, soft, light coloured foliage and produces large green finger limes. Is an excellent performer with no fuss habit, the finger limes appearing in autumn. Loves full sun in a warm and protected location and responds well to pruning. Extremely hardy and tolerant of frost and dry conditions.

SALVIA LEUCANTHA, MEXICAN SAGE BUSH

Mexican Sage is a hardy, old fashioned sage, which has been a garden favourite for many years. The peak bloom period is spring to autumn, but in the right climate they can flower all year round. It is drought tolerant, preferring a deep watering once a week when hot. However, hot and moist or wet conditions like the tropics do not suit this salvia. Once the cold weather arrives growth will slow, as will the flowering and the plant may die down completely in deep frosts. It can grow from 80cm to 1.2 meters tall and equally as wide.

OPHIOPOGON, MONDO GRASS (Ophiopogon japonicus)

Clump forming, evergreen perennial with fine, dark green leaves that eventually forms a dense mat of foliage. Small, pale purple flowers in summer are followed by bright blue berries. Ideal ground cover between pavers, under trees and in low traffic areas. A minimal maintenance garden border or pond edging. Grow in a partly shaded position in moist, well drained soil. Clumps may be divided in spring. Keep moist during dry weather.

• Moring sun/ part shade 
• Height to 20cm
• Moderate water

BUXUS, JAPANESE BOX (Buxus microphylla var. japonica)

A hardy, compact, evergreen shrub with dark green, leathery leaves and dense habit. Ideal for formal gardens, hedges and topiary where it can be pruned and clipped into decorative shapes. Also suitable for pots and troughs. Grow in a sunny to partly shaded position in moist, well drained soil. Prune regularly to maintain compact growth. Keep moist in dry weather.

• Full sun/ part shade
• Height 2-2.5m
• Trim regularly

HIPPEASTRUM (Hippeastrum x hybrida)

Stunning bulb, usually deciduous, displaying large, trumpet-shaped, colourful flowers on tall, thick stems. Ideal for pots, garden borders and for cutting. Thrives in moist, well-drained soil in sunny to partly shaded. Frost-free site. Keep moist but not wet.

• Full sun/ part shade
• Height to 50cm
• Spring 

ALOCASIA, ELEPHANT EARS (Alocasia macrorrhizos)

Alocasia houseplants are known for their distinctive and stunning foliage. Broad heart- or arrowhead-shaped, textured leaves can feature flat or wavy edges and boast distinctive veining that is often creamed colored and provides a stark contrast from the deep green of the leaf. Alocasias are adaptable and can manage a range of light from low to bright indirect. The amount of light the plant receives will dictate how quickly it grows. Water alocasia plants when the top couple of inches of the soil are dry. Alocasias have medium water requirements. Even consistent moisture is ideal. Rotate the pot a quarter turn every time you water your alocasia. This will ensure the plant receives even sunlight and prevent it from growing towards the light and becoming top-heavy.