Hellebores
Hellebores are the moody, gothic jewels of the winter garden. Learn how you can grow them in garden or in pots.
Yates Account
Join now
Create a Yates account today!
Sign up to join the Yates Garden Club for monthly e-mails packed with seasonal inspiration, tips for success & exclusive promotions.
Plus if you’re a Garden Club member you can take part in the Yates Growing Community - a blog to share successes, get advice & win prizes in fun challenges along the way!
Forgot password
Enter the email address associated with your account, and we'll email you a new password.
It is often difficult to find a hardy plant that can tolerate the filtered light under the canopies of large trees. For these tricky areas, the Oyster Plant (Acanthus mollis) is a good performer. Its common name derives from the purple and white shell–shaped flowers that appear on tall spikes in summer. These plants are easy to care for and will provide lovely foliage texture to the shaded areas to your garden.
How to grow Oyster Plant in a garden
- Choose a position in morning sun or full shade with moist but well drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed. 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 plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised doughnut shaped ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
- Mulch with an organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Water deeply, then once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- During the growing and flowering season feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
How to grow Oyster Plant in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 400mm wide.
- Position pot in morning sun or full shade.
- Fill the pot with quality potting mix such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down.
- Water in deeply, then once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- Remove spent flowers to encourage further growth and control the spread of seeds.
- Can become weedy in certain areas. Regularly trim back and remove any dead plants to retain control and keep beds clean.
- Clean up plants by removing any damaged leaves or flowers.
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 Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed
A certified organic garden input boosted with NZ Seaweed to gently nourish plants, enrich the soil and encourage a strong healthy root system.
Share
Share this article on social media