These A-list flowers are not only gorgeous but can take almost all the unpredictable weather climate change can throw at them.
A very hot summer can be tough on the garden and with day temperatures rising across the globe, the challenge is on for gardeners who love their flowers.
The first strategy is to seek out plants that are not too thirsty and tolerate heat and humidity.
Secondly, match the plants to your garden conditions. Reserve the toughest plants for full sun and use areas that receive morning sun and afternoon shade for both sun lovers and those that would fare better with some shade. It’s worth tweaking the design of your garden.
Thirdly, put a lot of effort into preparing the soil before planting. There’s an old saying that you should not put a R100 plant into a R50 hole, but rather a R50 plant into a R100 hole.
That means enriching the soil with compost, other organic material and fertiliser to a depth of 30cm, so that the soil that drains well but also retains water.
All weather Angelonia
Angelonia, also known as the summer snapdragon, is the poster child for plants that keep their poise during heat, humidity and dry periods. All varieties grow in sun, producing many spikes of flowers throughout summer.
Their main requirement is soil that drains well. Grow in containers if the garden soil is heavy.
Use a slow release fertilizer at planting. Water regularly until plants are established then they will thrive in hot and dry conditions
It is not necessary to remove old flowers. In fact, “deadheading” actually retards the continual blooming characteristic of the plant.
‘AngelDance’ ( picture above) has 45cm high spires that ‘dance’ in the wind, adding movement and colour to garden beds. The two colours in the range are Fuchsia Bicolour and Violet Bicolour.
‘Archangel’ is a big bloom variety, with larger than normal Angelonia flowers set against glossy, dark green leaves. Plants are compact, growing up to 36 cm, and it is a high performing, low maintenance plant for landscapes as well as for containers.
‘Guardian Angel‘ is a taller variety (50cm high) and more vigorous than ‘Archangel’. It is also an early flowering variety with big blooms. Good for landscapes.
“Serenita’ is the most compact and densely flowering variety providing long lasting colour with little maintenance in garden beds and containers.
The Iron man of plants
We may have a love-hate relationship with the Aussies, but you can’t fault their ‘Kangaroo Paw’ (Anigozanthos) that takes garden toughness to a new level.
These perennials are naturally hardy, having underground rhizomes that conserve water for use during a drought. Their brilliantly coloured flowers look like Kangaroo paws and they flower from mid-spring to mid-autumn.
They need well drained, preferably sandy soil and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. However, they do need watering to become established and some summer watering will encourage new growth and flowers.
They show off best when mass planted and also look good in containers.
Vintage charm
The new Achillea hybrids of this old fashioned garden perennial have bolder, brighter colours and the clumps of feathery fern-like foliage hold their shape better. Plants are also quicker to reflower than older varieties.
Plants need at least 6 hours of sunshine and grow easily in most types of soil that drain well. They do well with regular deep watering. Trim back hard after the first flush of flowers to keep plants neat and compact. Deadheading encourages more flowers.
Achillea ‘Hybrida’ are tall and vigorous growing 60 to 90cm high producing long, pickable flower spikes. A more compact version Achillea ‘Milly Rock’ grows 30cm high and wide and is good for borders and containers.
Summer stalwart
Alstroemeria, also known as Inca lilies, are a cottage garden favourite that has been improved over the years so that it doesn’t need staking but retains its abundance of blooms in a mouthwatering selection of colours.
The ‘Summer Paradise’ garden selection consists of both tall (60cm high) and dwarf (40cm) varieties. Plants flower non-stop from September to March, producing long lasting flowering stems for the vase.
The vigourous, tall growing Summer series performs best in fertile, moist garden soil and likes plenty of sun. They look spectacular when grouped together, the more the better. The compact Valley series is good for borders and pots.
Best of the daisies
Daisies have a charm all of their own, and varieties like Argyranthemum ‘Madeira’ (huge colour range), ‘Grandaisy’ (extra-large flowers) and ‘Lollies’ (very compact) have three times the flower power of older varieties yet are neat and compact enough for small gardens and containers. They flower throughout summer and even in winter in warm gardens.
These long lasting, easy going plants like regular but not excessive watering, fertilising once a month and a position that receives full morning sun and afternoon shade. Dead heading and trimming keeps them flowering throughout summer.
Details: www.ballstraathof.co.za
Article and images by Alice Coetzee.
