A plant that's used extensively (shall I use the term - 'used to death') are Clivias. Their famed orange heads have become quite popular over the past decade or more and they will quite often be seen lining the base of evergreen trees.

They're a popular plant because they give maximum effect for very little effort. Clivias, given the right conditions, can almost look after themselves and repopulate any free space - which can be viewed as a blessing or can easily become a curse.

Clivias, clivia miniata, are similar in appearance to the agapanthus family. They sport dark green strappy foliage and their flowers sit atop a fleshy wand-like stem. They're a clumping plant and will grow quite well if clumped in large drifts.

If you don't have any clivias already growing in your garden, the best way to get started is by finding a friend who does and dividing their clump. They're not the cheapest plant to purchase and the more rare the flower colour, the more expensive they become.

Lighting requirements

Clivias are a great shade-lover. They do best when they're out of the sun and hidden under the dripline of a large shady tree. They will also grow really well in woodland areas where dappled light is the most light they come in contact with.

Feeding requirements

As a rule, clivias aren't necessarily heavy feeders although they do appreciate a rich, free-draining soil. It's best to give clivias a boost of organic fertiliser during their flowering period or immediately afterward as this will help them conserve energy for next year's blooms.

Watering requirements

Clivias should never be allowed to dry out and a good covering of mulch at the start of spring will help them retain a good amount of moisture. If they're watered well during spring and summer they should do amazingly.

Soil requirements

These plants aren't fond of clay soils because they don't like their 'feet' to remain wet. A loamy soil rich in humus is the perfect setting for clivias. Make sure the loam is leaning to the sandy side offering good drainage yet able to retain all the nutrients needed by these plants.

Height and shape considerations

Clivias are a fairly low-growing plant managing to reach no more than a metre (3ft) but most will be much shorter than this. They are best planted en masse to achieve an awesome display as on their own they can appear a little lost.

Flowering Time

Clivias flower through spring and summer and will only flower once per stem. Each plant, however, may produce multiple stems adding to their length of flowering.

Although clivias are often thought of as an orange flower there is quite a diversity in flower colour these days. Reds, corals, yellows and even a more rare creamy-white can be found and used extensively through your garden.

Where do Clivia's grow best

These plants aren't the best in areas that are prone to frost or tropical heat. They prefer a mild climate where they can't be scorched by either element.

How to propagate Clivia

Clivias are best propagated by division. In late winter or early spring, clumps of clivia can be lifted and the rhizomes cut through to generate new plants. Replanted in the same location or in pots which a good free-draining mix will help these successfully recreate themselves.

They can be grown from seed that has been collected from the spent flowers but this takes more time and has less chance of success.

If you want to grow them from seed the trick is to impress the seed into some good seed-raising mix allowing the top half to remain exposed. Keep the mix moist and the seed should germinate within a few weeks. Plant up into larger containers as the rhizome continues to grow and you should see its first flowers within 3-4 years.

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Impatiens are a group of more than 800 annuals and perennials that originated in the tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Commonly called Balsam, as they are from the "Balsaminaceae" family, these plants are the most wide spread and popular shade lovers mainly because they are so easy to grow.

Impatiens grow well in sheltered positions in part to full shade and they flower prolifically from spring through to early autumn. In fact, it's due in part to vigorous growth and willingness to flower that their name is derived from the word 'Impatience.' They are frost-tender so if you live in an area that is prone to frosts you may want to grow these plants indoors or in a greenhouse.

New Guinea Impatiens are less demanding when it comes to shade and can be grown in a sunny spot provided it's still sheltered. They are usually taller than other cultivars and come in a range of flower colours and their foliage is usually copper-dark green or variegated.

We have a few different types in our garden at the moment but none of them are flowering as we're in the middle of our winter season. Impatiens are a wonderful filler plant as they will take up any space that is afforded them and will flower profusely. The advantage of having a shade loving plant that flowers also gives another dimension to sheltered garden beds.

Continue reading "Impatiens care and how to grow them" »

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We've decided to grow a little hedge of these plectranthus along our window in our new outdoor garden. The garden bed receives no sun at all and so it's been a challenge to find plants that can grow well under these conditions.

So far we have planted some azaleas, jacobinias, hydrangeas, hellebores, native violets, fuschias and a "Yuletide" camellia. We are still trying to track down a yellow vireya rhododendron but we needed another darker flower colour and the foliage of the plectranthus will complement the other plants as well.

Plectranthus Mona Lavender isn't a big plant growing to only 80cm (31in) in height and spreading about 60cm (23in) in width. They prefer part to full shade and struggle in areas that leave the exposed to the elements. Most plectranthus species are known to spread but the Mona Lavender (which is not a lavender at all) forms a neat little shrub with an upright, erect habit.

It will flower from late summer through autumn but even when it's not in full display the deep green leaves and underside purple foliage make it incredibly attractive. I always prefer plants that have more than one benefit because they have more appeal all year round.

The can be propagated from softwood cuttings and this is best to do prior to flowering. Maintain its neat shape by light pruning after flowering and fertilise with a slow release fertiliser during spring.

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A couple of years ago, a friend was downsizing their garden and offered me a couple of staghorn ferns. I declined the offer because I wasn't really fond of them. Now I realise the reason I didn't appreciate this type of fern was due to most gardeners use of them. I've usually seen them tacked on to eucalypt trees in the middle of someone's lawn. Yuk!

These plants are best suited to raniforest environments. Staghorns are epiphytes, meaning they prefer to grow above the ground attached to tree trunks or rocky outcrops where they can siphon water run-off from their host material. This run-off contains many nutrients that sustain the staghorn's growth. The amazing thing about these ferns is that they also feed of their own composted frond material.

Continue reading "How to care for a staghorn fern" »

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