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Blue Butterfly Bush
Its not hard to work out how this pretty semi deciduous shrub was given the common name of the blue butterfly bush. This blue flowering bush can be grown in almost any position from temperate to tropical climates, though it does prefer a half to full sunny position and well drained soil. When fully grown it reaches a height of 3 metres and is 2-3 metres round. This shrub tends to straggle so is best cut back in winter and tip pruned when about 30cm long. The flowers appear in summer and autumn and seem to last for months in my garden.
PENTAS
Pentas are a great plant for warmer climates that grow to an average height of 60 cm. They flower abuntly in a range of colours during; spring, summer and autumn. If withering flower heads are removed flowers will continue to be produced ensuring plants are covered with flowers for a greater part of the year. This plant prefers a lighly shaded position with a regular watering in the summer, dislikes frosts. They are easily propogated from cuttings in the summer.
This evergreen shrub is of sutropical habitat, disliking both frost and scorching heat. It is a waist high spring to summer flowering plant from southern China, with the wild plants flowers being flat and single, though the garden cultivars are always double, opening in beautiful symmetry.
Gardenia augusta, was sometimes called G. jasminoides, because of the flowers strong fragrance. Flowers open white but turn ivory as they age and need to be handled with care as they bruise easily.
Gardenias are best grown in free drainig rich acid soil, a little shade and should never be let suffer the effects of drought. If the leaves turn yellow this is a sign of magnesium deficiency and can be fixed with a light dose of epsom salts to the soil. I have seen these plants clipped to form a hedge, making a nice effect.
Though this plant is native to Peru it is also called the New Zealand Christmas bell, because of its popularity in that country where it flowers at Christmas time
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Few flowering bulbs are more spectacular than hippeastrums. These trumpet shaped tropical lilies are indigenous to South America but cultivated almost everywhere as pot plants
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Clivia originate from South Africa and are the perfect plant for the most difficult parts of the garden. They grow well in dry shady spots under trees, or in the shady spots in the open garden where other plants struggle to survive
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Iris ensata
The Iris is popular for its variety of beautiful blooms adding colour to borders and gardens in spring and early summer. Flowers can be found in all colour and combinations except scarlet.
When choosing a position in the garden for these plants try for a sunny well drained spot. If the soill is poor try adding something organic. The Japanese Iris are the only ones that do poorly in lime soil all other varieties thrive on lime. There are two main groups
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This sweet smelling plant gets its name from the ancients who recognized the plants ability to follow the course of the sun. After opening it gradually turns from east to west and during the night turns back east to greet the rising sun
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