Growing Gardens

with Julia Hancock

Perennials for spring

When considering perennial plants, those that are categorised bulbs sometimes get overlooked, but if anything typi . es spring to me it ’ s the scent of jonquils.While it ’s virtually impossible to grow da . odils in northern New South Wales, the ‘Erlicheer ’ jonquil flowers quite reliably and multiplies nicely over a period of years.

Spring bulbs need sun toff ower but one bulbous plant, the kaffir lily (Clivia miniata ) thrives in shade and lights up dark corners with its huge orange blooms.Its nearest rival in the colour department is the hippeastrum, which produces gorgeous trumpet-like flowers in crimson, cream, pink, and pure white in late spring.

Groundcovers are plants that people often have trouble with, wondering what to plant where.The African daisy (osteospermum ) has made itself very much at home in rockeries and borders all over Australia, gaining popularity because of its carpet of delightful starry flowers in spring.These are white, yellow, blue, and mauve, with the under-petals usually of a darker hue.It self- seeds riotously in the right conditions, so if this is a problem for you, select the better-behaved felicia, another blue daisy from South Africa.This is slightly taller than the osteospermum and looks great in cottage gardens.

If you want something with more height still, you can ’t go past pentas for sheer staying power.

These perennial shrubs flower all year in shades of pink, white, mauve, crimson and red.For a special effect, under- plant them with a carpet of perennial dianthus for a stunning combo.

The anigozanthos family of kangaroo paws are Australian natives which have been developed to produce an exciting range of hot colours, perfect for informal spring gardens.While the large types may be too big for the average plot, dwarf varieties can be tucked in just about anywhere, and most of them are disease resistant.

Plant perennials now, and by spring they ’ll be stunning.

Lismore Garden Club News

The Lismore Garden Club meets at the Lismore Workers Cl ub on the rst Th ursday in each month at 1.30pm.

The next meeting is Thursday, June. Everyone welcome. Information, phone Mary on 6621 5292.The soil & water temperature is still warm enough to give seedlings a good start.After planting, water in with Seasol in tepid water, then after a week fertilise with half strength Th rive or Aquasol.This is a good time to plant azalias & camelias.

Work in well -rotted horse or cow manure before planting be sure not to use poultry manure, lime or dolomite.

Jobs to do now:

Dahlias that are nished owering & are starting to die back can be cut back to 15cm above the ground.If you decide to lift the tubers, wait until the stalks die back, lift them with a garden fork, remove all the soil & place them in a mesh onion bag & hang in a cool dry place.

What to plant now:

Flowers - roses, spring ower bulbs, calendulas, candy tuft, forget-me- not, linaria, nasturtium, nemophila, Bedding Begonia, petunia, balsam, phlox, verbena, alyssum, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, ranynculus, viola, wall ower, cineraria, primula.

Vegies: Broad bean, Lettuce, Herbs, Asian Greens, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, parsnip, radish, tomato, Tur ni p.

Gardening tip:Every home needs a lemon tree.However if you have clay soil, 'Lisbon' is the only variety that will thrive.If have limited space plant a 'Meyer' in a large container Happy gardening Ron Burns