Hellebores
Hellebores are the moody, gothic jewels of the winter garden. Learn how you can grow them in garden or in pots.
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Often grown as large plantings under trees or banks, Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) provide a soft touch of colour to the garden. Their dainty lavender-blue bell shaped flowers that appear in Spring, are commonly used in rockery plantings, grassy banks or as borders.
How to grow Bluebells in a garden
- Choose a position in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.
- Place bulbs directly where the plant is to grow at a depth of 10-15cm. Spaced 10cm apart, then cover with soil.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
- Once bulbs start to sprout gently water to keep soil lightly moist.
- Mulch with an organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Continue to lightly water the plant after the flowers and foliage have died off, keeping the soil lightly moist.
- Once the foliage has died off, cease watering. Bulbs can stay in the soil for the next season or be pulled up and stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.
How to grow Bluebells in a pot
- Choose a pot with adequate drainage holes.
- Place pot in a full sun to part shade position.
- Fill the pot with a quality potting mix such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Plant bulbs 10-15 cm deep with the rough side down and the pointy end up. Space bulbs 10cm apart then cover with soil.
- Water in well.
- Once bulbs start to sprout, gently water to keep soil lightly moist.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
- Continue to lightly water the plant after the flowers and foliage have died off, keeping the soil lightly moist.
- Once the foliage has died off, cease watering. Remove the bulbs and store in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.
Growing tips
- Grows best in partly shaded areas, especially under tree canopies. However, they can handle full sun.
- Low growing and will form a delicate floral border in rockeries or garden edges.
- Great for pots.
- Bulbs can be left in the ground for many years after planting and will over time become naturalised to an area.
- Most common variety available is the 'Spanish Bluebell' which can grow up to 30cm.
Gardenia
Gardenias have soft scented blooms in white or yellow. Depending on the variety, can be grown as a shrub, standard, hedge or ground cover.
Freesia
Freesias are a spring flowering bulb that produce scented blooms in a range of vibrant colours including pinks, white, yellow, mauve and red.
Flax
Flax (Phormium spp.) are highly versatile plants which can grow well in swampy or dry conditions. Great for large pots or en-masse in garden beds.
Recommended products
Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food
Specially formulated to grow all types of flowers. With high potassium for large & abundant flowers, added calcium & iron for stronger flowers.
Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food
Provides your flowers & roses with the balanced nutrients they require for healthy growth and flower production.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
Releases nutrients slowly, improves the structure and moisture retention of the soil and encourages earthworms and beneficial soil micro-organisms.
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