Meredith Nursery August Newsletter

Winter is rapidly giving way to spring, buds are swelling, daffodils, magnolia and blossom trees are blooming and the birds are busily seeking out nesting materials.
There is no better time to get busy in the garden and enjoy the sights, the sounds and the scents of spring.

Slow release fertilizers can now be applied to pots, and garden beds appreciate an application of pelletised fertilizer.
Watch out for slugs and snails on tender new shoots and buds they will quickly decimate your precious plants.

In the vegetable patch pull weeds before they seed to prevent reinfestation and conserve nutrients and moisture.
Plant potatoes, peas, snow peas, beetroot, broccoli, lettuce, silver beet and onion.
Continue to harvest brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
Keep broad beans growing strongly with fortnightly applications of liquid fertilizer.
If you have not already done so prepare beds for tomatoes, sweetcorn, capsicum, eggplant, pumpkins and other summer crops.
Dig in plenty of compost and manure and sprinkle some blood and bone and potash into the soil.
Allow to rest for a few weeks and then plant summer crops when all danger of frost has passed.
For those who have limited space a surprising amount of salad and other herbs and vegetables can be grown in pots and other containers in a sunny courtyard or patio.

In the native garden
The first warm spring days can be stressful for newly planted natives, many are drought hardy once established but do need some care in the early stages.
Prune plants after flowering to promote bushy growth, improve flowering and prevent plants becoming straggly.
Tip prune smaller plants to encourage the plant to develop evenly.
Use a low phosphorus fertlizer to ensure your plants reach their full potential.
Hardenbergia have been spectacular in the late winter garden this year and with so many beautiful colours now available they are a great addition to the garden.

Hardenbergia

Hardenbergia “Free and Easy” is a beautiful white with a tinge of vanilla and Hardenbergia “Happy Duo”is a combination planting of white and violet.
A beautiful grevillea of medium size is “Lady O”, to 1-1.5m high and 1.5-2m wide the bright red flowers will bring nectar feeding birds to your garden.
Grevillea lanigera lutea has pale green leaves and pale yellow flowers appearing all year round, very unusual and delicate.
To 1.2m high and wide, it is a perfect foil for other colours in the garden.
Callistemon “Great Balls of Fire” is a terrific hedging plant. Prune regularly to encourage new growth which is flushed with cerise
For those`who like a formal effect there are many natives which respond well to clipping and regular shaping. Many gardeners are now using these plants in formal parterres, minimalist and Japanese gardens.

Westringia “Wild River” has dark green foliage and mauve flowers throughout the year, makes a low hedge or tub specimen and responds well to clipping.
Acacia cognata dwarf “Mini Cog” is a hardy compact shrub with emerald green foliage and gentle weeping habit, excellent for a border, rockery or tub specimen.
Eucalyptus latens “Moon Lagoon” is a dry tolerant small mallee which has very attractive grey juvenile foliage. Perfect for the minimalist garden.
Pruning every three to four years will keep foliage silver grey and dense and the foliage is excellent for floral arrangements.

In the ornamental garden magnolias are putting on a stunning display, as are spring bulbs and blossom.
Resist the urge to cut foliage on bulbs as they finish blooming, give them some blood and bone and potash and you will ensure a lovely display of blooms for next year.
Lift and divide perennials such as liriope, mondo grass, dianella, agapanthus and cannas.
Replant and water in well and they should make good growth.
Complete rose pruning and do not allow newly planted roses to dry out as weather warms. Mulch well to retain moisture.
Plant cosmos, cornflowers, larkspurs, stocks, ageratum, alyssum, phlox, petunia. Virginian stock, strawflowers aqilegia, erigeron and salvia.

Plant petunias and lobelias in pots and hanging baskets for a lovely display on the verandah or an outdoor eating area and fertilize with liquid fertilizer to promote strong growth.

Aphids

Watch for infestations of aphids on new growth on roses and dislodge them with a strong jet of water from your hose.
Cut back wisteria as flowers fade to contain rampant growth.
Tip prune plants such as fuchsias to encourage fuller growth and more flowers.
Echium “Pink Fountain” and Echium “Cobalt Towers”are striking perennials with long flower spikes on a tall plant. Hardy and drought resistant these architectural plants are a wonderful foil for roses and more delicate plants.
Salvia leucantha is another tough plant which has a delicate mauve flower and graceful pale green leaves. Good for the cottage garden amongst roses.
Others for the cottage garden are Salvia “Indigo Spires”, Penstemon “Midnight” Delphinium “Magic Fountains Dark Blue”, Viola “Sawyers Black” and Aquilegia “Goldfinch”.

Summer Bulbs
Many of us who have purchased an established garden have inherited some of these fascinating bulbs
Amaryllis (Belladonnas)….. also known as naked ladies, these bulbs are often the only remaining evidence of a former homestead.
The flower stalk produces large pink blooms which are trumpet shaped, there is also a creamy white variety which is less common.
Foliage appears after the flowers, transplant`before or just after flowering with the neck and shoulders of the bulb above the soil.

Hemorocallis (Day Lilies)….. hardy clumps of summer foliage, flowers which last for a day are produced throughout summer.
They prefer a sunny position and thrive in most soils.

Gladioli….. There are late spring and winter flowering varieties but the main flowering period is summer.
Best in clumps amongst lower growing annuals or perennials in full sun.

Dahlias…. Actually a tuber, they enjoy weekly watering in dry spells, pellatised manure or slow release fertilizer and come in many different colours and variations in flower shape and size.
English gardeners use them to perfection for splashes of colour in herbaceous borders.

Liliums….Enjoy full sun or very light shade and moist fertile soil which is well drained. Flowers are borne in late spring to early summer.
Oriental lilies flower in mid summer and prefer a cold winter
Asiatic lilies flower in early summer, both come in a huge range of colours and they are wonderful cut flowers.

Calla Lily….. smaller than the arum lily, callas are not as prone to become weeds.
Callas come in a range of colours and flowers are produced in summer.
Sun or part shade and plenty of water during the growing period, followed by a dry period as it starts to die back in autumn will ensure success.

Nerines….Nerines have attractive spidery flowers in pink, deep pink and white and are hardy and easy to grow. Bulbs should be planted with the neck above ground.
The growing period commences in September and flowering is in March and April
Plants prefer a dry period after flowering finishes so they are ideal for areas which do not require watering.

Hippeastrums….visitors to s.e. queensland will be familiar with these beautiful bulbs which thrive in sub tropical conditions.
Planted with their necks above ground level, they enjoy full sun in cool climates, and do not grow well in frosty regions although they will survive light frost.
Available in a range of colours, once established they can survive prolonged periods of dryness. Leaves die back in winter when water should be reduced.

Kniphofias (Red Hot Pokers)…..poker like stems topped with bells, mostly summer flowering although winter and spring flowering varieties are available.
Mainly reds and yellows although some unusual colours are now available.

Kniphofias

They prefer to be left undisturbed in a sunny position.

In the home orchard keep a watch on new plantings and do not allow them to dry out.
Mulch well and check stakes are secure, spring winds can cause damage and dry out unprotected soil.
Now is an excellent time to prune and shape citrus.
Remove any straggly or diseased branches and dispose of spoiled fruit.
An application of citrus food and pellatised chicken manure will ensure good growth and lots of blossom. Feed out to the dripline of the tree.
New plantings of citrus can be made now, to ensure success choose a sunny well drained spot, sheltered from strong winds.
Citrus will not thrive in windy sites or tolerate poor drainage, provided these needs are met they are hardy and prolific.
Grape pruning should be completed in August.
Fertilize all fruit trees, vines and berries now and mulch well to conserve moisture as temperatures rise in late spring.

Enjoy the sights and delights of the spring garden, until next time

Marg and the Team at Meredith Nursery