February

LATE SUMMER IN YOUR GARDEN

Most Agapanthus has finished flowering now. Cut the heads off down low at the base of the clump. Give each a handful of blood and bone or all-purpose fertiliser.

Hydrangeas can be lightly pruned this month as well as late winter. Pruning now should give the new growth longer to mature, reduce the size of the bush and free that garden space needed in a small garden for spring annuals or bulb planting in late summer. Cut to a node carrying two (mostly fat) buds. Cut out dead wood at the base and remove old and spindly canes. Sprinkle blood and bone or all-purpose fertilizer around the bushes and water well.

Crepe Myrtle is one of my favourite small trees but severe westerly winds can wreak havoc. The winds cause the branches to wave around too much and can split them from the main trunk. It can be pruned in the winter to keep it more compact. If you do not live in a windy area, leave the tree “a la natural” and enjoy the beautiful bark. It flowers profusely with heads in white through pink to mauve and red.

Tibouchina granulosa (once called Lasiandra) has brilliant purple flowers which last over a long period. Tibouchina is brittle and can be pruned twice - after flowering and again when spring growth starts- to keep the shrub compact.

Begonias, especially the tree Begonia (Begonia coccines), can grow to 2 metres. The leaves are either green or strikingly coloured with red markings and silvery spots on straight smooth stems. This plant has two different flowers - the male is small and almost heart-shaped and the female flower is larger and showier. Grow where there is protection from strong winds and some shade. Begonias flower for a long time (October to May) and need little attention - what more could you want!! The decorative foliage of Begonia Rex Hybrids are good in the rainforest section of a garden or make good container plants for the partly shaded verandas, balconies and patios. Tuberous Begonia can be a bit temperamental, prone to mildew in the humidity on the coast, but if you are successful well worth it!

Gingers go well in a rainforest looking area. They do get attacked by a stem-boring caterpillar so keep an eye out for this pest. The Ginger Lily (Hedychium gardneranum) grows well in the Illawarra and can be a pest if it gets out of the garden environment. The perfume is heavenly. The more tropical White Ginger (Hedychium coronarium) and the Shell Ginger (Alpinia speciosa) can be grown in a warm protected spot.

HINTS AND TIPS:

Think about getting your bulb catalogues to plan a showy display this coming Spring.

Garden Maintenance

Roses can be trimmed for the autumn flush and Easter. The rule is that a repeat flowering rose will bloom again fifty-two (52) days after pruning. Do not prune water shoots (the long strong new green growth that comes from the base of the rose,) because these new shoots will be the framework for the bush for the next three or so years. Once again after pruning fertilise and water. Roses at the moment (middle of the season) go semi-dormant, and it is natural for the older leaves to yellow and drop. Black spot is prevalent so pick off the worst affected and put in the garbage bin.

Tall Bearded Iris is beautiful and comes in exquisite colours. Now is the time to plant and break up old clumps that have not been disturbed for three or more years. They need a sunny spot with good drainage. The rhizome should be planted so that only half is covered and the top surface shows above the soil. The leaves should be cut in a fan shape. They look wonderful planted in amongst roses. Louisiana irises are tall free-flowering, gorgeous and are the best Irises for the coast.

If your Lemon tree is in the centre of a garden bed, lightly prune out some of the dense and superfluous new growth that you don't want now, and keep the centre thinned allowing light in. It will allow the trunk, and branches to be seen. Of course, another prune will be necessary for Winter.

Prepare your soil now for bulb planting next month, by adding compost, animal manure and all-purpose garden fertiliser. During late February, prune pelargoniums back to within three or four nodes on the present year’s growth. Take some tip cuttings from the removed pieces to propagate new plants. About two weeks after pruning, the pot-grown pelargoniums need to be repotted into new soil to develop strong growth before the winter. While doing cuttings, try a few from daphne, azalea, camellia and native plants.

Flower seedlings which can be planted include petunias, ageratum, alyssum, cineraria, Iceland poppy, impatiens, marigold, celosia and cockscomb. For seedlings to plant out during the autumn, seeds which can be son include pansy, viola, stock, cornflower, larkspur, sweet william, wallflower, calendula and primula. Do not neglect cymbidium orchids - while they are not flowering, they are developing the next flower spikes. They need good light in a semi-shaded position during the summer. Fruit trees should have good crops on them, so water regularly. Even after the fruit is picked the trees should not be become too dry and defoliate prematurely, as this can affect the next season’s growth. Vegetable seedlings which can be planted out into enriched soil include lettuce, celery, silverbeet, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and onion.