New releases pack a punch in gardens

GREVILLEA FIREWORKS: This Australian native would thrive in sandy parts of Whanganui.

Some of the exciting things in life are often what is "new". New release movies, new release technology in phones, smart TVs, etc. The anticipation of something new can be quite strong, something that not many others will have yet, the excitement that something new will be better.

In the world of new release plants there is often similar excitement. A plant with more fragrant flowers, a longer flowering period, a different growth habit, a reduced susceptibility to insect attack or juicier fruit at a different time. The range of characteristics that can be achieved are as diverse as the range of plants available!
Many new releases are the result of years of selective breeding where varieties with desirable traits are crossed with each other, the resulting seed collected and grown. For plant breeders it then may take a number of years before a plant flowers or fruits to show if the desired traits have been achieved. If they have not then the process is started over again.

When a new variety is found it is then trialled in different locations and monitored to see how it responds in different climatic situations. If it proves to be a success it will be patented with a Plant Variety Right (PVR) which prohibits the propagation and sale of this plant without authorisation from the breeder. A royalty is often obtained from growers licensed to produce and distribute the new variety which helps pay for the years of development and trials.
So some exciting new releases.

DAPHNE PERFUME PRINCESS There is an old saying that goes, 'every home must have a daphne and a lemon tree'. These two plants remain as some of the top plant gifts for house warming presents. Daphne Perfume Princess is a new release bred by well known Taranaki plant breeder and nurseryman Mark Jury. It is a cross between the well known pink daphne 'odora leucanthe' and daphne bholua.

Daphnes are grown for the nose full of scent that passers by will derive from this outstanding plant. Perfume Princess boasts the largest flower size of all the daphnes, as well as the longest flowering period, being both the first and last to bloom.
When not in flower daphne is rather unobtrusive and will merge into the background and can go quite unnoticed. But as those flower buds start to open and the scent starts to waft, one cannot but help admire and enjoy the daphne.
A shade lover through and through, they thrive in a situation with protection from hot sun, and prefer a well drained but rich, fertile soil in order to perform to their best. They are an acid lover so ideally mixing peat into the soil when planting will give the best results. In addition a twice yearly feed (spring and autumn) of acid fertiliser will work wonders for strong flowering, growth and a healthy plant.
As long as the above is met in regards to a shady position, daphne will thrive in a pot, a great way to add some delight to a shady back door area or courtyard.

COPROSMA There are many varieties of coprosma with different shapes, forms and growth habits. They vary from ground covers such as 'coprosma hawera' or 'taiko' to large leafed trees such as 'coprosma robusta' and 'repens'. As a native of New Zealand they are hardy, wind resistant, thrive in poor soils and difficult conditions. There are a range of coprosma varieties that have been the subjects of breeding programmes and some wonderful bright coloured shrubs have been developed. Some of the well known ones are 'Coprosma Evening Glow' and 'Coprosma Inferno'. A more recent one, 'Coprosma Paradise Punch' is one that has really caught my eye among quite a number that were released last year. It has bright orange foliage which changes tone seasonally for continual interest in the garden or pots. Slow growing, Paradise Punch is perfect for suburban gardens and pots and will add a vibrant splash of colour year round. Dry tolerance means Paradise Punch is perfect for full sun areas which don't get a lot of moisture including under eaves or in pots. Protect from hard frost while young. 60cm x 50cm

GREVILLEA FIREWORKS Was bred in Australia at Bywong Nursery, about 30km northeast of Canberra. This plant delivers on its name straight off. Grevillea Fireworks boasts explosive colours of vibrant red and yellow that contrast against each other on the flower, along with anthers that 'explode' upwards from the main part of the bloom. The flowers start to show in autumn and continue right through the winter months into spring. They are attractive to birds who like to drink the nectar from the flowers.

This spectacular Australian native bears the positive qualities of the wider grevillea family. It thrives in poor, well drained soil and hot sun. While not all varieties are frost tolerant, 'Fireworks' will handle medium to light frosts, allowing it to be grown in a wider geographic range.
Grevilleas are a good plant for Whanganui, thriving particularly well in the sandy areas, such as Castlecliff, Gonville, parts of Springvale and St Johns Hill.
'Fireworks' has a strong growth habit, forming a small to medium shrub approximately 1m high by 75cm wide. It looks great planted in mass or in a mixed planting with other shrubs such as ericas, nandinas, hebes and other grevilleas, all growing a similar size.
So if you are looking for some spark in your garden, come and check out 'Grevillea Fireworks'.

HYDRANGEA SUNDAE FRAISE Is another relatively new release. Its blooms begin green and white and then gradually mature through a range of spectacular pinks. The conical shaped flowers offer some truly different colour and form to the garden in autumn. Sundae Fraise has fast become popular with every delivery we receive selling out quickly. It makes a great cut flower, both fresh and dried. It can be grown in small and large gardens, and also in pots and containers as well.

Left unchecked Sundae Fraise will form a brush approximately 1.2 metres high by 1.2m wide. It benefits from an annual prune each spring to approximately a third of its size. This will also restrict how big it will get in the garden.
Hydrangeas perform best in shady and part shade situations. In hot sunny locations the flowers and leaves can be prone to sun burn. They are fantastic for bringing colour into a dark area such as under the refreshing summer shade of deciduous or evergreen trees. They can be used effectively down the east or south sides of the house. They also look good en mass or as specimens in a mixed planting of shrubs or in a flowering perennial garden.
So if you have some gaps in your garden, then check out these new plants.
Have a good week.

Gareth Carter is general manager of Springvale Garden Centre