Garden Style

The Sunday Age

Sunday September 28, 2008

Jim Fogarty

Jim Fogarty rounds up 10 of the best new finds in al fresco living.

The gardening industry is always busy; every year new plants are bred and new products launched. Here's a snapshot of some of the latest products to look out for this spring for your garden.

1 Leucadendron modestum 'Strawberry Fair'

The prowess of leucadendron is under-appreciated in Melbourne gardens. This variety (bred by Proteaflora) remains compact, growing to 60cm x 60cm, and flowers from August to September. The cones turn strawberry red in November in an attractive display. Ideal for informal hedges, specimen plants and pots, leucadendron is perfect for a full-sun position and tolerates hot summers once established.

2 Cox Urban Furniture benches

Not only does outdoor furniture need to be durable, it also has to look the part. The Cox "Urban Edge" aluminium benches are smart, simple and modern, and would sit well in any contemporary garden. The range of sizes makes them compatible with large garden areas or small balcony gardens. They are easy to keep clean and, being aluminium, will weather any storm. From allpark.com.au

3 Anigozanthos 'Amber Velvet'

Gardening in sandy soil is not easy in the heat of summer. Kangaroo paws grow naturally in the sandy coastal areas of Western Australia so it makes sense to draw inspiration from our friends from the west. This new kangaroo paw variety (bred by Ozbreed) has striking amber flowers in spring and summer. The foliage has an upright growth habit and produces a large number of flowers. Available in garden centres.

4 Wokstyle Asian wok greens

Everyone's growing basil, parsley or thyme. For an exotic twist, try punnets of Asian vegetables used for Asian cooking. The Wokstyle range by Larkman Nurseries is new to the market and comes in 10 varieties including bok choi, gai lan, laksa leaf and lemon grass. Impress family and friends by cooking with homegrown produce. The plum-coloured pots and large pictorial labels make them easy to spot in garden centres.

5 Heuchera 'Lime Rickey'

Heuchera are a genus of fantastic woodland plants known primarily for their attractive ivy-like foliage, which comes in many tones. This variety has striking lime green foliage with sprays of white flowers in late summer. Prefers a full sun or dappled-light position and is perfect for brightening up dark areas in garden beds or as an accent among other perennials. Trim back flower stalks after flowering. Bred by Colourwise Nurseries and available at garden centres.

6 Verbena 'Aztec Silver Magic'

Ball Horticultural Company has developed this verbena hybrid from superior genetics so plants are stronger for year-round success and colour. The result is less maintenance for home gardeners. Although it will flower throughout the year, this showy, trailing perennial produces masses of blooms of silvery lavender flowers predominantly from summer to autumn. Grows to 45cm high x 60cm and thrives on sunshine. Available at garden centres.

7 Seasol Planting Gel

A clever additive when planting is this prepared gel, which contains a blend of Seasol, Powerfish and water. Using new technology, a blend of nutrients and water is injected into the gel during manufacture. The gel slowly releases the water and nutrients directly to the root zone of plants or lawn, stimulating healthy root growth. The gel recharges itself and lasts three to five years, making it ideal for pots or establishing trees and shrubs in the garden. It is non-toxic, safe for the environment and can reduce watering by as much as 50%. Available at hardware stores and garden centres.

8 Yates Dynamic Lifter Advanced for Tomatoes

Spring is a great time for planting tomatoes, and competitive home growers will like the advantage this new fertiliser offers. It has added nutrients in a blend that promotes rich, juicy tomatoes on strong, healthy plants. Stronger plants also have better resistance to disease but the addition of calcium also helps to prevent the common tomato disorder called blossom end rot. The buckets come in two sizes with a 1.5kg size perfect for balcony or small garden. Available at hardware stores and garden centres.

9 Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'

Finding a plant for a shady spot can be difficult, but this new variety of hellebore can easily be added to the list. Growing to 70cm high x 60cm wide it will grow in full sun to shade, but ideally prefers a dappled-light position. Growth is vigorous and the ivory white flowers, which fade to musk pink, are prolific. Ideal for filling gaps in shady areas under trees. Bred by Plant Growers Australia and available at garden centres.

10 Motyaj Delite Fibreclay Pot

It can be hard work carrying a heavy pot up to an apartment balcony. These lightweight fibreclay pots (45cm square in granite finish) give you the look of a stone pot without the weight. For information and stockists in your area, visit motyaj.com.au (priced around $120).

Jim Fogarty is a horticulturist and landscape designer

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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