Gardening and Floral Design Tips from Jane Wrigglesworth

Plant Now: Francoa

October 28, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

I gave a talk to the Howick Horticultural Society a couple of weeks ago and came away with this gorgeous plant: Francoa ramosa. I’ve been a fan of this plant for a long time but have never had it in my own garden. Until now. Francoa ramosa, aka bridal wreath, is a hardy, evergreen perennial that flowers from summer to autumn. Blooms are pink or creamy white with pink blotches, and borne on tall stems that stand 70-100cm high. Although it grows well in most situations, it performs best when planted in moist soil in semi-shade. It’s fast growing too. I planted my young plant in a larger pot (eventually I’ll plant it in the garden) and it literally doubled overnight.

Want one of these plants too? Get it from Nikau Hill Nursery.

Above image from Hardy’s.

Filed Under: Plant Now Tagged With: Bridal wreath, Francoa

Plant Now: Cosmos

October 14, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

If you haven’t already, sow cosmos seeds. The white, pink, deep rose or red flowers are easy to grow and flower for months on end. These pretty annuals like heat so they flower best when temperatures remain above 15degC. Too much below that and growth and flowering is inhibited.

Sow seeds in trays for transplanting later. In the garden, space your seedlings about 20cm apart. Feed with a balanced fertilised when first transplanted then again in midsummer. Once more over the season is adequate. Too much fertiliser will result in tall, lanky plants with more leaves than flowers.

Seeds are available from all seed suppliers. For a bicoloured variety like the above, try ‘Candy Stripe’ from Kings Seeds.

Plant your cosmos en masse for a lovely wild look. Pick them regularly for the vase – they make great cut flowers – or deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming.

Filed Under: Plant Now Tagged With: Cosmos

Caring for cymbidiums

October 14, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

Cymbidiums and dendrobiums
Orchids have something of a reputation for being delicate and difficult to grow, but with a few simple measures, cymbidiums will last a lifetime. They like night-time temperatures of between 10 and 15°C, although they tolerate temps down to 5°C, or slightly lower. Mine live outdoors year-round, but if the temperatures in your area are cooler, grow them in a greenhouse or bring them under cover of a porch or sunroom in early winter. Mine also reside in pots. That’s so they can be moved to a spot with overhead protection when in flower, as rain and hail have more than once damaged the flowers. Slugs and snails also like to munch on the flowers, leaving them with pock-marked petals, so put out bait if you want to keep these slippery critters away. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Plant Profiles, Wedding Flowers Tagged With: Cymbidiums, Orchids

Bunches of lilacs

September 30, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

I can only dream of having big bunches of lilacs on my kitchen table. They’re exquisite, but they’re too warm to grow them here in Auckland. I could buy them from a florist’s shop, but they don’t last at all long once you get them home. Sigh. I have to be content with beautiful images like these from Dreamy Whites (top) and All The Beautiful Things.

Filed Under: Table Decor

Plant Now: Calla Lilies

September 30, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are one of my favourite flowers. They’re just so elegant. Although they can be flamboyant superheroes too, with their racy yellow, orange or hot pink hues. I prefer the paler pinks, creams and whites, or the sumptuous deep burgundies and purples, although in the right setting, I find even the yellows, seen here with berries and variegated foliage, quite striking.

It’s your last chance to plant calla lily tubers for summer blooming. You can buy tubers from garden centres, although bear in mind that tubers under 3cm won’t produce flowers until the second year. When large enough, tubers will flower 10 to 12 weeks after planting.

Plant in free-draining, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Water regularly, particularly once the first leaves have formed, and feed occasionally with liquid fertiliser.

Harvest plants when the spathes are fully open but before the pollen is dispersed. They will last two weeks or more in the vase.

Filed Under: Plant Now

Plant Now: Gerberas

September 14, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

Gerberas are one of the all-time top-selling cut flowers, and it’s not hard to see why.
Their long-lasting daisy-like flowers are very pretty, coming in various colours from pastels to vibrant hues. You can either buy fully mature plants from garden centres or buy seeds to sow. Sow seeds in trays for transplanting later. Germination may take several weeks, so be patient. When big enough, plant out in the garden in well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position. If drainage is poor, plants are unlikely to survive, so pot them up in containers instead. Gerberas do like regular moisture, but they don’t like to be overwatered, or to sit in constantly wet soil.

Filed Under: Plant Now Tagged With: Gerberas

Grape hyacinths

September 14, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

I do love grape hyacinths, and any beginner gardener or home florist should get to love them too. These plants are bullet-proof; in fact in the right conditions they may become a little invasive. But all the more to pick for the vase, right?

Grape-like clusters of bright blue or (less common) yellow or white flowers give this plant its common name. The flowers appear in early spring and naturalise readily, producing fine blue carpets beneath trees and shrubs. They grow in sun or part shade, but in hot areas they need protection from the midday sun.

Flowers start to decline when bulbs become overcrowded, so if that’s the case, dig up clumps, divide them and replant them around your garden. The bulbs themselves are planted in autumn, in rich, free-draining soil, 10cm deep and 5cm apart.

Filed Under: Bulbs Tagged With: Grape Hyacinths

Sweet Living Issue 4

September 14, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

The latest issue of Sweet Living magazine is out now! It’s a FREE online magazine and it’s packed full of delicious recipes, crafty DIYs, green living solutions and backyard sustainability. There are lots of free printables, plus money-saving tips – and tips on growing a mini orchard. Check it out here.

Filed Under: Edible Flowers & Recipes, Free downloadables

Plant Now: Basil

August 26, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth Leave a Comment

OK, so basil is not typically thought of as a cut flower, but certain varieties produce flowers that are perfect for picking. Cinnamon basil and ‘Mrs Burns Lemon’ both produce pretty, long-lasting flowers. The foliage also works well as an aromatic filler. You can buy seeds for both these varieties from Kings Seeds.

Photo credit: Top photo All The Beautiful Things By Loreta; Bottom photo Wedding Chicks.

Filed Under: Plant Now

Plant Now: Celosias

August 19, 2012 by Jane Wrigglesworth 4 Comments

The cockscomb celosia (Celosia argentea var. cristata) is so named because it looks just like a cockscomb – or a brain, if you like. It’s really quite a spectacular flower, making a long-lasting display in the vase. Seeds can be sown in trays now or sown directly in spring when all danger of frosts has passed. Don’t let the seedlings get too cool or moist as they’re prone to damping off. Seeds are available from Egmont Seeds and Kings Seeds. Or look for seedlings at your local garden centre.