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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For a real punch of colour in the cool dreary winter months, you cannot look past Polyanthus (Primula x polyantha). They produce many lovely flowers in bright vibrant colours from pinks, reds, blues, yellows and white, all with a contrasting bright yellow centre or eyes. Very popular with kids due to their bright and cheerful appearance.
How to grow polyanthus in a garden
- Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun to part-shade with well-drained. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.
- 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.
- 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 with diluted Yates Thrive Natural Seaweed Tonic to settle the soil around the roots and help reduce transplant shock.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Feed throughout the season with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
How to grow polyanthus in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun to part shade.
- Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Feed during the season 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 blooms to encourage further flowering.
- Plants will grow in full sun, however, you will get a more intense flower colour when grown in part shade.
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 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 Natural Seaweed Tonic
A 100% bull kelp seaweed tonic. Great for improving plant resistance and protection against pests, drought and frosts -also reduces transplant shock.
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.
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