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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Violas (Viola cornuta) can be seen as the little sister to pansies. Their bright little blooms or ‘faces’ jump out at you and provide an abundance of colour and character to your winter and spring garden. They come in a variety of colours and are a favourite amongst kids and adults alike.
How to grow violas in a garden
- Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, cover, firm down and water well.
- After sowing, cover with a sheet of newspaper or cardboard to limit the light to the seeds.
- Water gently and keep moist through germination period. After germination, remove newspaper or cardboard.
- While the seedlings are growing, choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun with protection from the afternoon sun and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- Allow the seedlings to grow to at least 5-7 cm before transplanting.
- When transplanting them into your prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 20-30 cm apart. Water in well.
- Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw.
- Feed regularly during the growing and flowering 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 violas in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun with protected from the afternoon sun.
- Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Plant directly into the pot by pressing the seeds lightly into the surface of the pot.
- After sowing, cover with a sheet of newspaper or cardboard to limit the light to the seeds.
- Water gently and keep moist through germination period. After germination, remove newspaper or cardboard.
- Feed regularly during the growing and flowering season 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 blooms to prolong flowering.
- Flowers are edible and can be used to add colour to salads or to decorate cakes or sweets.
- Kids love picking the flowers to create posies.
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 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.
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 Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate
A complete plant food enriched with natural fish, seaweed, humates, molasses and more - boosted with NPK to improve plant and soil vitality.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
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