Add that ‘wow’ factor to your garden with flowers that stand out for their beauty, size and seasonal dominance.
You could call them the Queens of the garden. These are flowers that are beautiful, regal and command attention. They reign over the garden all summer long, with birds, butterflies and bees hovering like courtesans among their flowers.
Such flowers can add height and bold colour, whether planted in clumps or repeated throughout the garden. As a cut above other plants, they are accent plants, extending the invitation to ‘come closer’ and marvel at the beauty of their blooms.
On a practical level, their requirements are quite simple; at least six hours of sun a day, planted in compost enriched soil that drains well, regular watering and fertilising once a month in summer to keep them flowering.
Also known as Inca lilies, Alstroemeria have lily-like flowers that have more staying power than normal lilies. The Summer Paradise range contains tall and vigorous garden varieties that produce a wealth of flowers in an unbroken display from September to March. Individual plants grow 60cm high and wide, remaining compact and dense, unlike the older varieties that tend to fall over and need staking. To keep the flowers coming, remove dead flowering stems by pulling each stem from near the base, like rhubarb.
Tip: For the largest number of flowers water well but don’t let the soil get soggy or dry out completely.
Salvia guarantica ‘Black and Bloom’ and ‘Purple and Bloom’ are striking landscape salvias that are strong growing with large flowers and dark stems that produce a pronounced black/blue or purple effect.
This shrubby perennial salvia grows 1.2m high and wide, and handles the heat, humidity, and drought. Its flowers attract nectar lovers, and deadheading is not necessary although pinching off spent blooms produces a bushier plant. Grow it in full sun. Once established it is water-wise and will flower until the first frost, going dormant in winter and coming back into flower in spring.
Cannas are making a comeback and they fit the bill as regal plants, especially the dark leaved ‘Canova Bronze Scarlet’ or ‘Orange Shades’ that double as eye catching foliage plants. Cannas seem to stand strong whatever the weather and even when not in flower their large leaves make a show.
These vigorous plants with glowing heads of flowers in shades of deep orange, yellow, rose, red, mango are more compact than the traditional cannas that can shoot skywards. Canna ‘Canova’ is not just a different f1 hybrid, it is in fact a different species that is not invasive.
The ‘Top’ series of regal pelargoniums are upright growing and shrubby, with small, serrated leaves and an abundance of medium-sized flowers in vivid colours; purple, red, violet, dark red with a purple eye, and a pink bicolour. The dense, compact plants are less likely to become leggy, a characteristic of the older regal pelargoniums.
They grow in full sun to semi-shade. They flower best in spring and autumn but will flower throughout summer if fertilised monthly. Regularly remove spent flowers and trim bushes in spring and autumn to retain a neat shape.
Like cannas, dahlias have come back into favour as new generations of gardeners discover how easy they are to grow and revel in their bright colours.
Dahlia ‘Dreamy’ is a dark leaved variety, with ruffled, semi-double blooms. It grows, up to 60 cm and tolerates both hot summer days and rainy, windy weather. The flowers are produced on strong, leafy stems, making them good cut flowers that last up to 10 days in the vase. The more the blooms are cut, the more the plant flowers.
The more compact Dahlia Dalay has charming double flowers that will enchant the garden all summer long. It is highly resistant to mildew and the large blooms attract birds and butterflies.
Tip: Dahlias respond best to deep, regular watering, about twice a week in summer, depending on the rainfall and soil type.
Zinnias provide brilliant colour all summer long and Zinnia ‘Zesty’ is a vigorous grower with large double blooms (like the zinnias of yesteryear). Plants grow to knee height (40 to 60cm) and the vivid blooms don’t fade in the sun. Plants like full sun and ordinary garden soil that drains well. Pollinators love their blooms.
Another zinnia variety is ‘Zahara Double’ which has outstanding disease tolerance, low water needs and large, double flowers that look a lot like dahlias. These zinnias grow 50cm high and wide, with flowers on long pickable stems. They like deep watering once a week in summer.
More information: www.ballstraathof.co.za
Article and images by Alice Coetzee.
