One of the most prolific flowering plants is the bold, bright colourful cyclamen. A very popular colour plant to grow during the winter months. They start throwing flower buds as the weather cools in March and continue in mass profusion through into September.
What we call a cyclamen are varieties of
cyclamen persicum. This is actually one of approximately 20 species of diverse cyclamen that are related to the primrose, although little or no recognisable physical resemblance is borne. They are native to parts of Europe, Western Asia and parts of North Africa. (The Cyclamen Society, www.cyclamen.org)
As a result of selective breeding a range of different cyclamen are available. In addition to the bold bright single colours of red, violet, white and many shades of pink there are some with frilled flowers, butterfly double type flowers as well as variation in leaf marbling (colour). Cyclamen can be generalised into two main sizes, the miniature or smaller type and the larger flowered and leaved type.
Cyclamen are a bulb although they are most commonly available as a potted plant. The die down and go into dormancy during the hot summer months emerging into growth as the cooler, damper autumn weather arrives. As a winter dweller they do not need a lot of sun and are very happy in shady positions with little or no direct sunlight. They are very versatile for use in the home garden situation. Cyclamen do best in a well drained situation, if the soil becomes saturated the bulb can be prone to rot, wet soil combined with lack of air movement can also cause botrytis.
In Wanganui cyclamen will grow outdoors in the garden or in pots. They are also regularly used indoors as flowering houseplants and then planted outside in the garden when the flowers die off. When kept inside the flowering season is usually shortened by the heat of being indoors.
Growing in pots is probably the most popular use for cyclamen, where they can provide bright, cheerful and happy colour throughout the cold, dark winter months. Over the winter they will grow successfully pretty much anywhere in pots from a sun drenched north facing patio to the south facing front door which doesn't even get a ray of sun.
Cyclamen can be grown in hanging baskets where they make an excellent centre piece surrounded by pansies or other winter flowering annuals.
To get maximum flowering from Cyclamen they should be fertilised with dried blood (sold as tui flower booster). Yep it is what it sounds, the dried blood from the meat works. This product is extremely high in nitrogen which these plants love, not to be mixed up with blood and bone which is not as suitable. For the best results flower booster should be applied at the time of planting and every few weeks subsequent. It is also the preferred fertiliser for pansies and polyanthus.
In the shrub garden it tends to be foliage colour more than flower power to provide brightness and warmth in the garden during these winter months. While there are a few flowering shrubs, there are some with spectacular foliage displays. Coprosma and Nandina are two of the most popular groups of plants. Coprosma have had much breeding and selection with a number of new varieties being released in the past few years. Coprosma Inferno has become a very hot favourite as has Coprosma Tequila Sunrise. Coprosma Inferno was a new release in 2010. The rich deep orange, red and pink hues of summer change to deep reds for the winter. Grows in most soil types and almost any position from shade to full sun. Like all coprosmas it needs protection from harsh frost so not so good in colder climates like the central plateau, but grows great throughout Wanganui.
Coprosma Tequila Sunrise is an amazing cultivar with jewel-like foliage that is highly glossed and brightly coloured. In spring, its new growth emerges emerald green with a gold margin, gradually becoming marbled with brilliant orange and gold hues. In the winter, the leaf colour intensifies to brilliant orange and red jewel tones. Suited for mild climates like Wanganui, it prefers full sun and looks best in group plantings and magnificent when combined with succulents.
Both Coprosma Inferno and Tequila Sunrise grow approximately 1.5m x 1.5m but can be kept smaller with an annual trimming if desired. The colours are duller during the warm summer months, but as the cool nights of winter arrive the colours brighten and the plants suddenly stand out in the garden.
Nandinas are one of the most popular shrubs for a number of reasons. They have a tidy compact growth habit that makes them good for small and narrow gardens. They grow well in full sun or shady conditions, windy conditions and pretty much all soil types. They don't need trimming or pruning and look good all year round. Nandinas are probably the closest thing to a no maintenance plant you can have.
The two most used cultivars are Nandina Pygmy and Nandina Gulfstream.
Nandina Pygmy forms a rounded shrub with a tidy compact habit. Its leaves are initially green and yellow tones, but darken to a dramatic red as the weather cools through autumn and into winter. It can be used in gardens, borders, patio pots, and containers. The leaf colour is actually more intense if the plants are kept a little hungry.
Nandina Gulfstream; This Nandina has more finely divided and pointed leaves than Nandina pygmy. It is highly decorative also valued for the wonderful autumn colour which intensifies to a brilliant red in winter. Easy care and tolerant, gulfstream makes the ultimate minimal care garden. It looks wonderful planted in a group. So if your garden is looking dull then check out some of these plants. I have heard people say they like to plant a plant in their garden every month of the year. By choosing something that looks spectacular at the time, builds a garden with year round interest through every season.
Have a good week.
¦ Gareth Carter is General Manager of Springvale Garden Centre