Proteas
Not just any old blossom, protea flowers are blooms with attitude. If you can give them full sun and reasonable drainage, proteas will love you.
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For a perennial ground cover with a difference, take a closer look at heucheras or coral bells (Heuchera spp.). These plants not only provide an abundance of foliage colours (from red, lime, deep burgundy to variegated leaves) but also keep the soil underneath them cool. They are great to grow in rockeries, pots, hanging baskets or in the understory of trees and shady gardens.
How to grow heuchera in a garden
- Choose a spot in the garden that gets full sun to full shade (depending on variety), 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.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
- Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the main stem.
- Feed during the growing season with Yates Thrive All Purpose Granular Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
How to grow heuchera in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 500mm wide. Position in full sun to full shade, (depending on variety )and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
- Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the main stem.
- Feed during the growing season with Yates Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- Use a good organic mulch at the base of the plant to stop it from drying out as heucheras dislike having dry soils.
- Most varieties do well in full sun, but do prefer a bit of protection from the harsh summer afternoon sun.
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Recommended products
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.
Yates Thrive All Purpose Granular Plant Food
Easy-to-use granular plant food specially formulated with both fast acting and gradual feeding for up to 3 months, in the garden or pots.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate
A balanced fish based plant food boosted wtih added NPK to ensure strong, lush plant growth and healthy soil.
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