Perennial Asters (Easter Daisies) Tough hardy perennials that flower all autumn with colourful daisy flowers. prune each stem after flowering to promote more blooms. Prune hard in winter and feed with compost and manure to encourage good spring growth. some varieties have tall flowering canes to 0.5 m. Aster frikartii 'Monch' is the largest with sky blue daisy floers the size of 50cent coin.
Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis fruticosa)
Grown in gardens for over 400 years, Phlomis fruticosa is a handsome Mediterranean species.
A bold grey shrub good for a warm sunny border, robust and impressive in well-drained soil.
Keep it well trimmed after flowering to maintain a good shape.
Plant into fertile ground, and renew by propagating new plants every few years.
To propagate, take cuttings in summer.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Looks good with:Echinops ritro and Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'
Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' A new form of plectranthus that does not spread like other members of the family, but forms a neat low shrub with an upright, erect habit. Spikes of lavender coloured flowers appear from late summer through autumn complementing foliage of deep green leaves with dark wine purple coloured undersides, typical of many of the plectranthus species. P. 'Mona Lavender' is a solution to shady areas in the garden and good for pots on sheltered patios P. 'Mona Lavender' originates from South Africa and was bred at the famous Kirstenbosh Botanical Garden in Capetown. Choose a shaded to semi-shade location with a moist but well drained soil. Fertilise with a slow release fertiliser during early spring. A light pruning after flowering will help to maintain a neat shape and encourage denser growth of foliage. Available from all good nurseries and Hellebores Down Under, Bilpin NSW.
Hemerocallis (Day Lily)
Attractive, large flowering varieties of the hardy perennial commonly known as daylily. Strap-like, arching foliage provides the background for a lengthy and prolific display of flowers from spring through to autumn. Easy to grow, long-lived and dry tolerant once established. Daylilies offer great performance for little effort.
They grow well in most soil types which are well drained. No pruning required although removing spent flowering stems will encourage new flowers whilst removing dead leaves helps to keep a tidy appearance.
Occasional deep watering during extended periods of heat is necessary once established. A single application of slow release fertiliser during spring would be beneficial to overall performance.
Daylilies increase in size yearly and so can be divided every three to four years during either early spring or late summer.
Most daylily varieties are herbaceous, meaning the foliage will die back to ground level during the coldest months reappearing with fresh, new growth in the early spring. This means ideally they would be planted amongst evergreen shrubs or perennials to mask their absence during this period. On their return for the warmer months, however, they offer long lasting colour and provide really dramatic impact if planted in small drifts (groups of three to four plants in close proximity to each other). They are the perfect selection for water wise gardening and look terrific blended in a display with tall, whispy grasses, sedums or succulents, brightly coloured salvia varieties and other sun loving perennials or shrubs. They grow very well in containers either individually or blended with other perennials or annuals. Suitable for coastal zones as well as displays around pools and spas.
Helleborus (Winter Rose)
Hellebores make their new growth in autumn and flower through winter.
Flowers have unusual colouring in green, plum, ivory and pink shades.
The nooding blooms can be picked for float bowls.
They prefer a position beneath deciduous trees to allow winter sun to promote good flowering and shade for protection in summer.
True Geraniums
Geranium 'Rozanne' (Blue Cranesbill)
Huge, glowing violet blue, saucer-shaped flowers with distinctive white eyes and reddish-purple veining are held above mounds of deep green foliage that is slightly marbled with chartreuse. This is an amazingly free-flowering cultivar; it keeps the blooms coming from late spring into mid-fall. In one season, one vigorous plant will 50 x 50 cms area. It looks especially good when complimented by yellow or chartreuse flowers or foliage. Available from Lambley Nursery (03) 53434303
Euphorbia
Euphorbias are a valuable garden plant for both their form and their foliage that comes in various colours.
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