Flowering plants great for gifts

SUNLOVER: Easy to grow sunpatiens. PICTURE / SUPPLIED

It is at this time of year, as the weather improves, that we begin spending more time enjoying the outdoor areas of our homes. And as we do, we often look to ensure there is a good mix of flowering plants in the garden to provide colour through the summer months. I am always looking for something smart, tidy and, if possible, a little different, to grow in pots.
There are always new plants being released, and over the past few years there has been a proliferation of flowering plants proving to be good performers. It is always hoped that when a new plant is released it will live up to its promises, and that the new and improved will be just that. It of course isn't always so, as the climatic differences between where a plant has been trialled and our growing conditions here in Whanganui are often vastly different. Consequently, so are the results of the plant in our own gardens.
Here are three particular series of new release plants that have caught my attention. They have been performing well in Whanganui gardens, they are the Inticantia series of alstromerias, Petunia Raspberry Blast and SunPatiens. Another recent release to look out for is the eye-catching series of '3D Osteospermums (cape daisies)' which came on to the market last year and have been great for non-stop colour.
The Inticancha series of alstromerias These are a relatively new series of dwarf alstroemeria, also called Peruvian Lily, and are bred to be the best dwarf alstroemeria in the world, featuring a more compact habit with larger blooms and intense flower colours. While expensive, they are easily the best and still offer good value compared to a bouquet of flowers. Eight months of blooms for the same price as one bouquet makes them the perfect living gift for a friend or a stunning and useful addition to your own garden.
These plants have lived up to the promises made by the promoters and have been exceptional for growing both in pots and in gardens. Like all alstromerias they perform best in a sunny, well drained situation. In sheltered spots around Wanganui they are evergreen but where heavier frost occurs they will be dormant in the winter months. They respond well to feeding with Novatec.
Alstromerias are generally pest free with the occasional infestation from aphids being controlled easily with rose spray or another insecticide. When growing in pots ensure the pot is not too small. A common reason for plants not succeeding in pots is that at the time of planting consideration is not given to how big and at what rate a plant will grow. If a pot is too small then there is little soil content for water storage for the plant to use. This results in the plant being stressed and consequently underperforms or even dies during dry periods. Use a good quality potting mix such as 'Natural Bark Brand of Potting Mix' to ensure the plant performs at its best.
Petunia Raspberry Blast This plant performs brilliantly. We have trialled it in the store as well as receiving raving reports from customers' gardens, and I have grown it myself at home. It has been bred for its trailing habit, continual flowering and tolerance to extreme weather conditions. The plants grow fast to a spread of approximately 70cm wide and become a mass of pink flowers edged in deep cerise pink. For sheer flower power for five to seven months there are few plants that could rival Raspberry Blast. They are best treated as an annual, however, as they are technically a perennial petunia. In sheltered spots they can survive through the winter. They are fast growers so if they become damaged by the weather or the family pet they can simply be trimmed back and they will grow back and continue flowering at a rapid rate. Raspberry Blast is excellent as a groundcover in the garden, and also is fantastic in a pot or a large hanging basket as it will trail over the side.
SunPatiens "The revolutionary new hybrid impatiens; Transform your garden with easy-to-grow, easy-to-enjoy that loves the sun as well as the shade and flaunts brilliant flowers from spring to frost. They are new and they are smoking hot! Once you have tried SunPatiens you won't go back - they are simply sizzling hot with massive flower power and lush foliage".
The above is from the NZ growers/promoters of SunPatiens - they really do sound fantastic don't they! They are a type of New Guinea impatiens that have been grown for years. Unlike the New Guinea varieties, however, these have been bred to grow in the full sun which does open up many more growing situations around the garden. They were first released three years ago and have done well in Whanganui. In situations of light frost or frost free spots these will grow for a number of seasons. They grow 45-60cm high and up to 90cm wide. There is a good range of colours including blush pink, carmine red, deep rose, light coral, lilac, magenta, orange and spreading salmon.
So here we are, now just two and a half weeks out from Christmas. If you need some relaxation and escape from the "silly season", take a few moments out in the garden and see if you have a spot to try some of these 'new generation' of colour plants, or think about giving one as a sensational colourful gift.
Have a colourful and relaxing week!
Gareth Carter is general manager of Springvale Garden Centre