Autumn’s the new Spring.

Here’s some new plant inspiration!

Don’t wait until spring to get the most out of your garden, autumn is a great time for gardening. Autumn is my favourite time of the year for planting; the ground is still warm from summer, days are milder and we usually get a bit of rain creating the perfect conditions for plants to establish. Letting your new plants settle in during autumn lets you reap rewards the following spring.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, keep an eye out for some of the many new plants available this season; here’s a few to get you started.

Citrus meyer dwarf ‘Lemonicious’

( New )

This new, small growing lemon is super new in garden centres. Citrus ‘Lemonicious’ is a strong plant that produces masses of fruit. It will grow to around 1.5m x 1.5m in approximately 10 years when planted in the ground. In a large pot Citrus ‘Lemonicious’ will grow to around 1m x 1m, it will fruit well and live happily in a pot for many years, without needing to be re-potted.

A couple of things to remember when planting in pots are that you need to make sure the pot has good drainage and fertilise with small amounts more often; Citrus growing in the garden are usually fertilised twice a year, in August and again in February. However, citrus in pots do better if they are fertilised with smaller amounts more often. Use citrus food, pelletised manure or a slow release fertiliser for pots.

So whether your garden consist of pots on a balcony or large sprawling garden beds, Citrus ‘Lemonicious’ makes a valuable addition and produces such versatile fruit.

Coreopsis ‘Cherry Pie’

( New )

Coreopsis ‘Cherry Pie’ is a stunning new plant that grows as a lush green, cushiony mound to around 40cm x 50cm. From mid-summer until the end of autumn the foliage is absolutely smothered with small, deep red daisies flowers with overlapping petals, these flowers nestle themselves just on top of the foliage.

Coreopsis ‘Cherry Pie’ was bred and selected due to its compact habit and profuse flowering. Coreopsis prefers free draining soil and a sunny position for best flowering display. Coreopsis creates a great border and due to their long flowering time, they make ideal colourful fillers. Coreopsis cherry Pie has a perfect natural shape and suits a vast range of garden styles.

Coreopsis ‘Fruit Punch’

( New )

Coreopsis ‘Fruit Punch’ is an eye catching plant featuring sweet two-toned daisy like flowers with a light pink edge and a red eye. Coreopsis ‘Fruit Punch’ grows to around 50cm x 50cm. It is very free flowering with flowers covering the fresh green foliage through summer and autumn.

For best flower display plant in a sunny position with well drained soil, prune as desired or after flowering to maintain shape and fertilise annually with a long term slow release fertiliser. Coreopsis ‘Fruit Punch’ is great for rockeries and adding a splash of colour to the garden.

Coreopsis ‘Mango Punch’

( New )

Coreopsis ‘Mango Punch’ has a similar habit to ‘Cherry Pie’ being that it has a naturally neat round shape growing to 40 cm x 50cm. Vibrant daisy flowers of mango-orange with a red overlay cover the plant close to the foliage from summer right through autumn.

Ideal for border, rockeries, decorative pots and is a handy colourful filler for gardens. Coreopsis ‘Mango Punch’ is best suited to a sunny position with free draining soil and can be pruned as desired or after flowering.

Hebe ‘Jewel of the Nile’

( New )

An interesting new Hebe with cream and green foliage featuring contrasting magenta red stems. The magenta colour on the stems spreads across the foliage to give the plant a sparkling jewel like appearance during autumn. Through winter the pink trimmed foliage intensifies to a pinkish red enhancing the impact

Hebe ‘Jewel of the Nile’ is a compact evergreen shrub growing to approximately 60cm high x 50cm wide. It combines several features that make it attractive throughout the year. Require free draining soil and is best grown in a sunny position. Great for all gardens and creates a striking decorative pot. No matter its use, the effect will be stunning.

Dahlia Dream Series

( Dream Weaver, Dream Catcher, Dream Maker, Dream Seeker )

The Dahlia Dream Series are a real break through in plant breeding from eminent NZ plant breeder Dr Keith Hammett. The Dream Series all have dark foliage & bright colourful reverse collerette blooms. These will still be available in your local garden centres now, it’s not too late.

Plant Dahlia Dream Series in autumn, and let them establish before they go to sleep for winter, come spring when the new growth erupts you will have nice strong plants and plenty of flowers. Just remember to plant in a sunny position and no extra watering once the foliage has died down.