Daphne
Daphne is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and beautifully fragrant flowers in shades of white and pink. Grow in the garden or in pots.
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Erica, also known as Heath plants, have pretty bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, pink, lavender & white. Some varieties are shrubs while others are tall trees. If frosts are prevalent in your area, be sure to choose a European species. Besides using these trees as an ornamental, they are also cultivated for firewood and as a source of yellow dye.
How to grow Erica in a garden
- Choose a position in full sun or part shade with very well drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed and Yates Natures Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver. 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 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, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
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Depending on the variety, Erica may prefer a more acidic or alkaline soil pH. To increase the soil pH (making it more alkaline) apply Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite. To reduce the soil pH (making it more acidic) apply Yates Soil Acidifier Liquid Sulfur. Check the label to see which soil pH best suits the Erica variety chosen.
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They do not need pruning, though to achieve best flowering and growth habit, they can be pruned annually after flowering. They prefer light pruning to encourage new growth and flowering.
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For prolonged flowering best to prune them hard (for some heaths it will differ) early spring.
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Erica hate wet feet, avoid planting in poorly draining soil as this can lead to root rot and possibly plant death.
Dwarf Pohutukawa
Dwarf Pohutukawa (Tahitian Pohutukawa) is a fantastic flowering shrub or small tree ideal for use as a feature plant, hedge or screen.
Smoke Bush
Smoke Bush is an ideal shrub to add a splash of foliage colour to gardens. It provides year-round seasonal interest and looks fabulous in both gardens and pots.
Picea
Piceas, or Spruces, are evergreen coniferous trees from the Pinaceae family with a lovely conical shape, needle-like leaves and ornate pendulous cones.
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 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.
Yates Nature's Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver
Transform soil into a healthy nutrient-rich base for your gardens and lawns with Yates Nature’s Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver.
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.
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