Garden Style

The Sunday Age

Sunday December 21, 2008

Jim Fogarty

Jim Fogarty rounds up the latest plant and product releases for summer.

1 Calibrachoa 'Noa Amber Star'

For some extra colour in pots and hanging baskets, try this apricot-coloured perennial, which has a compact trailing habit. Blooms are prolific from spring to autumn. Bred by Ball Australia and available at garden centres.

2 Coleus 'Chocolate Mint'

Coleus is a temperate-climate, shade-tolerant foliage plant that comes in a range of colours. This one is chocolate brown with attractive margins of mint green. Grows to 50 x 50 centimetres and best used in Melbourne as a summer annual or for some potted Christmas colour. Winter is too cold for survival in Melbourne. Bred by Ball Australia and available at garden centres.

3 Drip Stop hose fittings

Melbourne inventor Norm Ladson has come up with a solution to leaking garden hose fittings. The Drip Stop will connect from your tap to poly pipe and then to brown drip line. An inner long barb provides a lock and seal mechanism by clamping behind the barb. The water-saving patented inner "O" ring seals on any 13-millimetre poly tube and garden hose. A great way to prevent water wastage and ensure that water gets to plants and not down the drain. ladco.com.au, rrp $4.80. From Bunnings.

4 The French Truffle Tree

Technology has enabled the truffle fungus to be inoculated into the roots of host trees. Truffles are a form of mushroom that develop underground in symbiotic association with the roots of trees. This breakthrough has made their cultivation possible and now you can buy your own host trees (sp: Quercus, or oak). At garden centres.

5 Euphorbia 'Silver Swan'

Euphorbia is a great drought-tolerant plant. This form has striking variegated foliage. Compact growth means the plant keeps a uniform shape to 50 x 50 centimetres. Prefers full sun and well-drained soils. Looks great in gravel and coastal gardens. Bred by Plants Management Australia and available at garden centres.

6 Pilotus exaltatus 'Joey'

This is an Australian native that many would not know. Very attractive conical flower heads about five centimetres long appear in spring and summer. The flowers have pink margins. Grows to 60 x 60 centimetres, prefers full sun, and is drought hardy. Would work in either a native or mixed planting scheme owing to its attractive flowers and herbaceous foliage. From Ball Australia and available at garden centres.

7 Euphorbia 'Redwings'

This form of Spurge is similar in growth to 'Silver Swan'; however, in late winter the new growth stems turn an attractive red. Masses of yellow flowers cover the plant in spring and into summer. Cut back after flowering. Needs good drainage and a full-sun position. Bred by Plants Management Australia and available at garden centres.

8 Impatiens x hawkeri 'Celebrette'

For some Christmas potted colour, try some of this new range of New Guinea Impatiens, which is early to flower and has an abundance of blooms. The range of colours includes white, orange and red. Thrives in a range of conditions and ideal for gifts, pots and hanging baskets. From Ball Australia and available at garden centres.

9 Freek outdoor carpet

A clever modification to synthetic lawn is this outdoor rug. Available in various colours, it is perfect for small spaces where softness is required on harsh paving (think toddlers), or for an outdoor entertainment space as a design feature. Available in the new year from freekupyourlife.com

10 Petunia 'Shockwave Blue Silver'

Petunias have long been a favourite trailing annual for spring and summer colour and this variety has a striking blue flower that is ideal for creating a cooling effect on a balcony or patio. Flowers are slightly smaller than normal but the masses of flowers in spring and summer make up for their size. Keep fed with liquid fertiliser for good blooms. From Ball Australia, and available at garden centres.

11 Lujo Lounger

Spotted recently at the Auckland Flower Show was this clever reinterpretation of the beanbag. The Lujo Lounger is ergonomically shaped, lightweight and easy to move. Perfect for decks, balconies and poolsides, or even for indoor use. Buy online from lujo.co.nz, $645.

12 Cordyline 'Chocolate Mint'

Cordylines are great architectural plants and this form features attractive soft green leaves with a chocolate brown variegation. At maturity, the plant will develop a trunk to four metres tall. Cut the top after a few years to encourage multi-stem growth. This Cordyline has a low water requirement and will tolerate high temperatures as well as very cold conditions and moderate frosts. Bred by Greenhills Propagation and available from garden centres.

Jim Fogarty is a horticulturist and landscape designer. Send garden queries to jim@jimfogartydesign.com.au. Replies are not guaranteed.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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