ASHBURTON

- Look out for this season’s newly released ornamentals.

Spring is in the air and now is the time to plan your garden for the coming summer as there are many new plants coming into our nurseries which will tempt us to plant. All these have been trialled overseas and only the best performers make the cut. Bacopa ‘Snowstorm Pink’ is a wonderful plant to use as a groundcover or in a hanging basket, or even in a big pot on your terrace for that burst of summer cheer which will give you colour till the first frost hits. This South African plant will grow up to 30cm and then cascade, and if it becomes a little leggy perhaps a little trim would be well worth doing; this also promotes better flowering. This easy-to-grow gem also needs no deadheading and is hassle-free. If you are in a cooler climate, put it in a warm spot away from frosts and then hopefully it will come again next year.

There are others coming out in this series so if you like blue or lavender, try Bacopa ‘Gulliver Blue Sensation’ and if you like doubles, try Bacopa Scopia ‘Double Lavender’.

Fuchsias are a great plant for summer colour and can be planted in the border or perhaps in large containers on the terrace which gets a little shade from the hot midday sun. These new releases have proven their flowering ability and compact habit as well as sun tolerance. Fuchsia thrive on being fed and a liquid fertiliser when in bud is most beneficial. In colder climates, best overwinter them in a sunny warm spot and when the new growth appears, bring them into a more warm and light position. ‘Nora’ has flowers shaped like teardrop earrings. The petals are purple to red with white anthers and the sepals are bright red. ‘Sophia’ has petals which are deep blue and fades out to soft blue and the sepals are pale pink. ‘Yolanda’ has purple flowers and the sepals are red.

Brachyscome is an easy growing daisy-like plant which flowers over a long period. ‘Brasco Candy’ has candy pink blooms and could be in the front of the border or in a pot as it attains a height of only 30cm. Do plant in good draining soil, and if in a pot, use a long-term fertiliser. There is also another cultivar called ‘Brasco Purple’ if you like a bolder colour.

Felicia ‘Felicity Blue’ is another daisy-like plant from South Africa which grows in the hot dry area of Cape Town that performs well in the heat. This means it is a wonderful plant for containers or for that hot dry spot in your garden. This selection has bright blue flowers topped off with golden anthers.

Argyranthemum ‘Angelic Lemon Pastel’ is another good selection from the Marguerite daisy family. Soft lemon

flowers appear in early spring and they flower well into the autumn. This selection will grow up to 50cm, so is ideal in a large container or perhaps a hot spot in your garden. After its first flowering, give it a light trim and within a week or two, new buds soon appear.

Now for something different: ‘Amazel’ basil is a sweet Italian selection, cutting grown and selected for its flavour. The plant can grow up to 80cm, either in the garden or in a container. If it flowers, simply take them off as they are sterile which means it will not set seed; this also helps to promote a bushier plant. ‘Amazel’ is also resistant to the dreaded black mildew which is a big bonus. This means that you will have plenty of leaves to pick all summer for salads or perhaps for making beautiful pesto. Do try growing this amazing plant as you will not be disappointed.

In gardening, you have to be selective and only grow the best so hopefully some of these plants will spur you to try them. With smaller sections becoming the norm, we need to only plant and encourage the best of cultivars, and surely we will be well rewarded. ■