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Everyone wants their garden to look amazing and that has never been more true than now. It’s our little or big place to unwind, whether that means getting our hands dirty, chilling, spending quality time with the family, or doing an outdoor barbecue cook-up. The garden is our safe space and sanctuary. 

We are sharing some simple tips on how to zhuzh up your garden style and create a mini paradise. Be proud of your garden and create one that inspires the neighbours. 

We’ve kept things simple, so many of our tips don’t involve bank-breaking expenses or labour. 

The Lawn

Even if you are a staunch waterer of your lawn, you can take it to the next level by edging it. Giving it some structure, whether you use a round shape or keep it rectangular. Edging can neaten it up and give it that professional, manicured look. There are many options for the edges – wood, metal, or stone, and you can go for a classy, minimalist look or something a bit more decorative and ornate. And surrounding it with white pebbles or gravel is the icing on the cake. 

Pot Plants and Hanging Baskets

If you’re pushed for space, or entirely lacking the green fingers required to turn over, plant, and maintain flower beds, pot plants are a great way to surround yourself with flowers. 

You can buy ready-planted pots, but they are easy enough to start from scratch, and only require regular watering to stay alive. And there are pots of all shapes, sizes, and designs to choose from to suit gardens of all sizes and gardeners of all tastes. Hanging baskets are also great to create an atmosphere and an immersive garden experience with little horticultural effort

Screening

Gardens have to have some items in them which are practical but unsightly. Maybe your shed is a bit shabby, or you keep your trash or recycling out the back. Screening is a great technique to ensure that you see the bits of your garden you want to see. 

Climbing plants are an excellent way to block out uglier elements or soften harsh walls or fences, and perfect if your garden is on the smaller side – they take up almost no space and won’t infringe on your other plants or surfaces. Bamboo is also a popular screening option, with a classy look, or choose willow for some elegance. 

Lighting

To create tones and atmosphere, you should consider installing garden lighting. Wall washing lights create a dreamy effect, whereas spotlights and bollard lighting can be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Many people use fairy lights to create a magical atmosphere, and if you live somewhere with a colder climate, there are combination heater lights available. Another popular option is solar lighting – install some stake lights around the lawn which come on as the sun sets for a gentle, soothing vibe. 

Patio

If you don’t have a patio, laying one will give you a great space to relax and barbecue with family and friends. They don’t have to cost the earth either, and if you have time, energy, and skills, you can do it yourself. If you already have one, borrowing or hiring a pressure washer to take away a layer (or many) of dirt and grime will have a significant effect – even if it doesn’t seem dirty to the naked eye, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the result. 

Upcycle

Upcycling adds character, and it’s a great way to use old materials for breathing new life into your garden. There are thousands of ideas to inspire you, whether you use old shelves or tables, quirky fashion planters, or use an old bicycle as a feature. 

Anything you have stashed away in storage (or anything you can find in a skip or on a street corner) can be transformed into something special to make your garden unique. It is also a great way to reduce waste – the market for second-hand furniture is depleting year by year – doing your bit for the environment.

Your garden is full of potential, whether you are into gardening or not. Gardens boost our physical and mental health, and taking the time to elevate yours into something special will reap dividends in the future, and give you a source of pride and wellbeing.

If you want to know more about the help benefits of gardening, check out our other post.

Becoming a homeowner, although very interesting, can sometimes be quite intimidating. This is particularly true if you’ve become a first-time homeowner. Despite the fact that you’ve managed to accomplish such a huge thing, things can get quite confusing very fast.

One of the things new homeowners seem to struggle with the most is the lawn and garden upkeep. Chances are that if you’re a new homeowner, you never really needed to learn how to take care of a yard. “How often do they need to be watered”, “what types of plants should you have in your garden” and so many other questions will now need to be answered. So, with that in mind, here are some useful tips on how to care for your yard properly.

Determine the vibe

The first thing you’ll need to decide is the vibe you want to go within your yard. There are so many styles and designs you can choose from. From neatly maintained to seemingly fully-natural vibe, all of the styles have something unique to offer. So, before you get down to preparing your yard for planting, make sure you know the vibe you wish to create.

Choose plants carefully

Once you know what you want to create in your garden and how you want your lawn to look like, it’s time to start choosing and planting greenery. First off, make sure you aerate the ground you want to cover with grass so that once you plant the grass the seed has enough oxygen to develop properly. Moreover, consider planting various succulents as these are easy to maintain yet they look gorgeous. For maximum effect, you should learn how to propagate succulents and allow your garden to develop further.

Get a good lawnmower

The first thing you’ll need to decide is the vibe you want to go within your yard. There are so many styles and designs you can choose from. From neatly maintained to seemingly fully-natural vibe, all of the styles have something unique to offer. So, before you get down to preparing your yard for planting, make sure you know the vibe you wish to create.

Know when to mow

While on the subject of mowing, it’s not enough to simply run your mower every once in a while. Instead, you need to know when exactly you should cut your grass. When mowing, about a third of a grass blade is all you should be cutting off. If you cut off more than a third, you run the risk of damaging your grass beyond repair. But, if your grass got a bit out of control, you should – of course – cut a bit more. What you can do in such a scenario is set your mower to the highest possible cutting setting and give it a whirl. After you’ve cut your grass, reset the mower to its previous setting and cut your lawn once more after a few days have passed.

Take care of weeds

No matter how well you take care of your lawn and garden and no matter how careful you are with what you plant, the fact is that you’ll soon find yourself battling with weeds. These pesky plants always find a way to show up unannounced and make a mess out of your otherwise well-maintained greenery. While there are lots of chemical solutions on the market that can help you tackle weeds, they’re not the ideal choice for the environment. That’s why you should research different ways you can get rid of weeds in your garden without hurting our planet.

Keep these tips in mind if you’ve just become an owner of a property that comes with a lawn and a garden. While it may all seem a bit intimidating in the beginning, chances are you will get the hang of things quite fast.

Starting a personal vegetable garden doesn’t just ensure you have enough fresh food to eat. It can also combat anxiety, depression, and improve your mental health.

If you are looking for a way to stay active, healthy, and learn a life-saving hobby then get outside to start growing some of your own autumn vegetables.

Read on to discover what to plant and how to prepare and care for your garden.

Setting Up a Garden

The temperature in Melbourne during autumn is considered mild, however, nighttime can get chilly. That is why you want to choose a location for your garden so your plants soak up enough sunlight during the day. This is especially important in the fall where the average hours of sunlight are only 6 hours in March, 5 hours in April, and 4 hours in May on average.

Next, you want to create your beds to lay your soil. Raised beds allow you to add your own mixtures of organic soil and compost, which makes your soil rich in vital nutrients.

Putting your garden above the ground keeps pests from venturing into your garden. Surround your beds with a wire fence to further protect it from hungry critters.

Prepare your compost year-round using a bin to collect household organic waste. Mix your broken-down compost with your soil to create an airy nutritious soil.

One of the most important tips for growing vegetables is to ensure you have a proper water source. The right amount of water is essential to growing healthy plants.

Use a drip irrigation system, a soaker hose, or a sprinkler to automatically water your plants daily. They can be set on a timer and adjust to release enough water to soak your plants without overwatering them.

Choosing Your Plants

The best vegetables to plant in autumn should be able to handle the cooler temperatures and less rainfall. Therefore, most of your plants will be either herbs, underground rooted vegetables, leafy greens, or other veggies that have a thick protective exterior.

Use this vegetable planting guide to know what to grow and how to choose which method of cultivation is best.

Herbs

Many types of herbs can be easily grown as they spread and thrive in abundant sun, and some can handle a range of watering schedules. They also grow super fast so you don’t have to worry about small plants getting broken while they grow.

Their speed and strength mean that they can be planted directly into the soil. Herbs are also great for a potted garden. Just consider how large the plant will grow to choose the appropriate size planter container.

Some herbs that grow well in the cooler months of autumn include:

If you are concerned about direct sowing then you can start your herbs in a smaller pot. Most herbs don’t mind being transplanted to the ground once they are large enough.

Root Vegetables

Keeping your plants warm during autumn in Melbourne is the trickiest part about gardening in the cooler season. Planting vegetables that grow under the soil ensures that they are toasty even during a possible frost.

Most root vegetables can be planted directly into the soil as well. Potatoes use a tuber method to cover the stems with mounds of dirt. Garlic uses already grown cloves as seed. You can place garlic in water to initiate the growth of new roots or plant them directly into the soil. Both potatoes and garlic can be planted March through May.

Other root vegetables for autumn planting include:

Since they are emerged within the soil they soak up its nutrients. Eating these vegetables fills your body with vitamins and minerals as well as immune-boosting antioxidants.

They grow thick and tough under the ground which makes them a good source of carbohydrates and fiber.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens might be the most nutritious vegetables in your garden as they are full of vitamins A, C, and K. Plus they contain folate (a B vitamin that creates red and white blood cells to provide oxygen to your body and fight off infection.

Adding these power veggies to your diet can fight obesity, lower blood pressure, and make your heart strong.

Some leafy greens to plant in your garden include:

They grow partially underground, which also protects them from cool weather.

Other Vegetables

Some vegetables that have thick stalks and a protective shell to shield them from the cold. They include:

Include these vegetables in your garden for more protein and flavor added to your meals.

Getting the right Autumn Vegetables Supplies

Before you start planting autumn vegetables you should first get your list of supplies. You will need more than just seeds and soil.

Get your hardware, mulch, and fertilizers to have a successful growing season. Visit our shop to get your garden tools delivered right to your home.

Photinia is a genus of 40-60 species of large shrubs and small trees. The red tip photinia is the most famous, but there are other photinia shrubs and trees you can grow.

Growing photinia shrubs and trees is recommended for everyone, even if you don’t have a green thumb.

If you’re interested in growing photinias, here’s how to grow and care for them.

Why Grow Photinia Shrubs and Trees

Photinia plants make popular shrubs. Homeowners love photinias because they’re low-maintenance and grow extremely tall, offering plenty of privacy. Photinias are also popular if your home has a deer problem; deer tend to leave photinias alone.

They’re easy to grow and homeowners just need to consistently prune photinias to keep their shape and health.

How to Grow Photinia Plants

While growing photinia plants is easy, photinias require a specific environment to flourish. Here’s how to grow photinia plants.

Soil

Photinias thrive in well-drained soil. Avoid wet soil because it can lead to root rot. The area you plant them must receive good air movement. If your yard only has heavy clay soils, amend the soil with 50 per cent compost.

Light and Temperature

Photinias prefer areas with full light but can also thrive in partial shade. If your yard has restricted light, find a spot with only partial shade.

While photinia plants prefer lots of light, the area you plant them should also depend on the climate. Plant them in partial shade if you live in a hot climate. If your area is frequently cold, plant the photinia in full sunlight.

The way the plant faces also impacts the amount of light it receives. Try and keep your plant facing north. East-facing photinias also receive plenty of light.

Water

Water the plant at the roots once a week. If your area receives plenty of rain, don’t water the plants as often. Too much water can drown the roots, impacting the growth.

Keep in mind, photinia plants prefer at least two and a half centimetres of water. While you shouldn’t water frequently, you should water deeply.

As the plant grows, try to not wet the leaves. Wet photinia leaves attract fungus growth.

Fertiliser

Photinias typically don’t require fertiliser. Only use fertiliser if the soil is very poor quality. Test the soil if you’re unsure about the quality. When you have to feed the photinia, use a slow-release organic fertiliser.

How Long Does It Take for Photinias to Reach Maturity?

The amount of time for photinias to reach full maturity depends on which type of photinia you’re growing.

Red tip photinias reach full maturity rather quickly — between two and four weeks. They can grow up to three metres in height and width.

But some photinia species take longer to grow. For example, Chinese photinia (Photinia serrulate) can take anywhere between five and 12 years to reach full maturity. These photinias can grow as big as 10 metres tall.

How to Care for Photinia

After your photinia plant grows to full maturity, you’ll have to continue maintaining the plant to keep it healthy. Here’s how.

Soil

Continue draining the soil. If you needed to amend the soil or add fertilizer during the growing process, continue doing so.

Once your photinia reaches full maturity, you don’t need to water the plant as often. Most mature photinia is very drought tolerant, but this also depends on the species.

For example, red tip photinia isn’t as drought-tolerant as other photinias. Water these plants at least once a week or every other day during a drought or if you have extremely hot weather.

Pruning

Pruning is one of the most important aspects of photinia maintenance. If you don’t prune your photinia, it won’t have room to grow and can fall victim to a number of different diseases. Pruning also prevents leaves from dying and falling off.

There are different ways to prune your photinia. It’s recommended you keep the shrub wider at the base so the sunlight can reach the bottom branches.

If this is your first time pruning photinia, start by trimming the branches at different lengths until you can find an appearance you like. There is no right way to prune photinia, as long as the shrub has plenty of space and every branch receives sunlight.

When shouldn’t you prune your photinia? Avoid regular pruning if you live in an area plagued by photinia leaf spot, which is a fungus that damages new photinia leaves.

In addition, you should avoid pruning your photinia in the fall and winter. New photinia plants and branches don’t flourish well in the cold weather.

Diseases That Affect Photinia

While photinia is a useful and low-maintenance shrub and tree, these plants attract different diseases.

We mentioned the photinia leaf spot previously. This fungus grows on wet leaves.

Most homeowners will notice the fungus damaging the leaves. These are circular spots that appear on the tops and bottoms of the leaves. They may look like tiny red spots or large purple blotches, depending on the type of photinia and the severity of the photinia leaf spot.

If left untreated, the leaves will fall off and the photinia will die. To treat photinia leaf spot, cut off the infected leaves. You may have to add mulch to prevent the spread of the fungus.

We also mentioned the root rot. To prevent root rot, don’t overwater your photinia.

You may also find mildew on your photinia. You can identify mildew by looking for a white, powdery substance on the leaves and shoots. Left untreated, mildew can cause stunted growth and premature defoliation.

Remove the leaves and any areas covered with mildew to prevent the spread.

Grow Photinia Today

If you’re looking for useful and low-maintenance plants, then you’ll love photinia. These are popular hedging plants because they grow extremely tall and offer privacy. As long as you follow these instructions, you’ll have strong and healthy photinia!

Are you interested in growing photinia? We offer photinia and a variety of other hedging plants. Take a look at our catalogue!

Sunlight is as important to the health of your plants as the soil and water. Identify the signs of too little and too much sun, and what do to about it.

Photosynthesis

Every plant needs light to grow and flourish. Plants use light to perform a vital process known as photosynthesis, whereby they turn light into sugars. Therefore the more light a plant is exposed to, the more energy it will create and the faster it will grow!

Quantity of light

You will often read that a particular species of plant prefers a certain amount of light. Often plants producing fruits, vegetables and flowers require more light. These plants may struggle if they are not receiving enough light.

Indoors Versus Outside

Outdoor plants receive much more sunlight than indoor plants. Even the heaviest outdoor shade provides more light than the sunniest indoor window. When a plant is indoors, light is usually coming from one source, such as a window.

Too little or too much sun

As you walk through your garden, you can perform a visual check on the condition of your plants. If your plants are drying out, burnt, faded or drooping, they may be receiving too much sun. On the flip side, if your plants are growing sparsely, have lanky and spindly branches, fewer flowers or flower buds falling off, they may not be receiving enough sun.

Just the right amount of sun

Optimising your plant’s sunlight is very important. Some simple ways to tell if your plants are getting enough sun include vibrant leaf colour and plant lean. Healthy thriving plants have dark green leaves. Leaning is a side effect of the plant’s search for light.

Ways to improve sun exposure in your garden

There are a few ways you can enhance a garden that is lacking enough sunlight. First, if you have any large trees in your garden blocking sunlight from other plants, you may need to have the crown of your tree thinned to improve the health of the rest of your plants. Secondly, paint any fences and buildings surrounding your garden white to maximise light reflection. Finally, if you plant your garden in rows from north to south, it can help improve the overall sun exposure.

Other great resources

The key to healthy plants is healthy soil. Understand your soil type and learn how to nurture your plants and let’s not forget about composting.

What makes garden soil great?

Soil is more than just dirt. It is a complex ecosystem, and if it’s healthy, your plants will be too! Good soil has good water-holding capacity, allowing your plants to withstand whatever mother nature throws at them!

What type of soil do I have?

Generally, there are three types – clay, loam or sand. Loam is a combination of silt, clay, and sand and is ideal for plant growing. To work out which type of organic matter you have in your garden, dig down 10 cm and squeeze a handful of soil into a ball. Loamy soil will form a rough ball that crumbles readily, with a mix of coarse and fine particles & organic matter.

Why do you need compost?

Compost is decomposing organic matter. Composting is a natural process of recycling organic material into a rich mass. Compost is essential to creating the ideal ecosystem. Anything that derives from something living can make up compost. This includes decaying plants, animals, manures, kitchen scraps, garden prunings, bark and sawdust. Adding organic matter/compost improves structure, aiding aeration and drainage. It also encourages life such as earthworms which add nutrients to the your garden bed.

How do I choose the right soil?

If you are gardening in the ground, look for topsoil or a blend. First of all, blends are great for new or existing veggie gardens, or flowerbeds. On the other hand, topsoil is good for mending lawns. Ensure any blend you are looking at includes loam and some form of compost. As long as you are regularly adding your own organic matter or compost to maintain the composition, there is not a great need for fertilizer.

If you are gardening in a container, look for a potting mix. These are generally lighter than actual soil and work better in confined areas. Adding fertilizer when using a container is a good idea as there is a smaller ‘ecosystem’ for your soil to maintain its nutrient levels.

Other great resources

Everybody knows that watering is the most important aspect of garden care. Plants need water to survive, maintain their health and grow. Plants also mostly consist of water. It is essential to the function of their internal systems. However, overwatering can be dangerous or even deadly, so it’s vital to strike the correct balance!

Check Soil Moisture

The most obvious and foolproof method of checking if a plant needs watering is to simply feel the soil, and see if it is moist or dry. To understand this further you can identify the type of soil your plants are growing in. For example, clay soil tends to retain moisture for much longer, whereas sand is the opposite. Knowing the soil type can help with planning watering schedules.

Timing

The time of day you are watering your plants also influences how much water the plants can absorb. The ideal time to water your plants is early in the morning, allowing the plant enough time to absorb the water and convert it into energy as the sun gets hotter.

Keep the leaves dry!

Make sure to aim for the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves and aiming for the roots. Also, aim to get the water deep into the soil. Not only will this limit the amount of water lost to evaporation but also help your plants develop stronger, deeper and more resilient root systems. Light watering forces the roots to become shallow and vulnerable to rotting.

Know your plant’s needs

The best way to learn about your plant’s needs is through experience! While research will help, you’re going to get the best results through trial and error. Each plant is different and will show different signs when they are watered and in good health.

Choose your weapon

There are three main methods to watering your garden: the garden hose, drip irrigation and sprinkler. The hose is the most basic and works best for flower beds and small gardens. Drip irrigation aims to minimise water wastage and allows a slow, steady drip of water, maximising absorption. It works well for garden beds while it is not very effective for lawns, shrubs and trees. The sprinkler system is the most popular of the watering techniques. You can customise your sprinkler system to suit your gardens needs and deliver the correct amount of water at the right time of day!

Additional Links
https://www.maintainme.com.au/how-often-water-plants

Growing your own vegetables can be so rewarding. We’ve collated our top tips to share with you.

Choose a Sunny Location

Most veggies do best in full sunlight. Find a location that gets at least 6 hours a day if possible! To provide the most sun exposure to all your plants, place the tallest ones, such as corn or tomatoes on the north or west side of the gardening space so that they don’t shade the smaller plants.

Use Soil rich in Organic Matter

Vegetables like lots of organic matter and compost in their soil. Aim to add enough organic material to the soil so that it is neither sandy nor compacted. When the mix is right, it will bind together when you squeeze it but break apart easily if disturbed. If you are using a garden bed, you can round the soil in the bed, creating a small arc. This expands the planting area.

Water the right amount!

Most vegetables don’t require a massive amount of water so 2-3cm a week is adequate. The best time to water your veggie garden is first thing in the morning. Be sure to check the moisture in the soil before watering – overwatering is worse than underwatering!

Mulch your veggies

Add a 5-8cm layer of organic mulch around your vegetables. This will insulate the soil keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Mulching helps with water retention, suppressing weeds and diseases, not to mention it looks great. Be careful with your mulch selection, some mulches can contain unacceptable amounts of harmful chemicals. 

Pest control

Pests are usually inevitable at some stage of your gardening career. If you must resort to pesticides, please apply responsibly! Never apply pesticides in the morning as this is when other beneficial insects are most active. Generally, it’s best not to use chemicals in a food garden so try to avoid these.  

Don’t Fertilise

Instead of fertiliser, use organic matter or compost to feed your soil so it can provide the nutrients your veggies need. Up to 20% of your soil can be made up of compost or organic matter. 

Succession Planting

Planting your vegetables in succession allows you to grow more than one crop in a given space throughout the season. That way, many gardeners can harvest three or four different crops from a single area. 

Capitalise on Space

No matter the size of your vegetable garden, you can expand it by growing vertically! Grow space-taking vine crops such as tomatoes, beans, melons or squash on trellises, fences or stakes to increase space. 

Companion Pairing

Another way to maximise space in your vegetable garden is to look into compatible combinations. A classic example is corn, beans and squash. The corn stalks support the beans while the squash grows on the ground below, making the most of the space! 

Other great resources

Here are the 7 most common bugs that can affect indoor plants.

1.Fungus Gnats

Fungus Gnats look like standard black flies and are 2mm long. Their larva is challenging to spot they nest right underneath the soil, the flies themselves will walk over the surface of the soil. They will annoy you more than they harm your plant.

To get rid of them target the larvae in the soil. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, the eggs and larvae need moisture to survive. Remember to drain any excess water that may have accumulated in saucers.

2. Aphids

Aphids sit on your plant’s leaves and eat the sap. As the infestation gets worse, the aphids will rob the plant of the nutrients it needs to thrive. You can see clusters of them under your plant’s leaves, they are green and try to camouflage, but you can still spot them. You may also notice your plant has sticky leaves as they leave a honey light secretion.

To get rid of them, rinse them off with a steady stream of water, then wash the leaves with a weak solution of soap and water. Soapy water kills aphids on contact.

3. Spider Mites

Spider Mites are difficult to spot, but affected plants lose their lush green colour, becoming grey-brown and dull. If your plant starts to look a bit dead or you notice a bit of webbing in and around the plant, check under the leaves for these tiny redish brown creatures, a magnifying glass will help!

To get rid of them, mix 1tsp of liquid soap with 1L of water and spray your entire plant from top to bottom. Wash off the solution 2-3 hours later, be sure to remove all the soap residue from all foliage surface to avoid any leaf burn. Repeat every 4-7 days until the Mites are gone!

4. Mealybugs

These are not easy to spot, keep an eye out for small cottony spots at the intersections of leaves, stems and under leaves. Suffering plants may drop yellow leaves, and you may notice a wax-like a residue on leaves.

The best way to get rid of them is by hand, you can knock them off your plant with a cotton swab doused in alcohol. After removing any visible bugs, spray the plant with an oil or soap spray.

5. White Flys

White flys are also tricky to spot, they are so small they look like dandruff flakes sprinkled on the plant. You ‘won’t see them without a magnifying glass, you can find their eggs on the underside of leaves though, they look like small crescents.

You will need to tackle White Flies while they are babies if you wait till they mature they will just fly away when you spray them. Spray the plant with a soap solution, pay special attention to the underside of leaves, where most of the whiteflies live. Repeat every 3-4 days until the infestation is gone.

6. Scale Insects

Scale insects are immobile and stick to the leaf of the plant and soak out juices. They usually take the form of a shell or a pearl. If you ‘don’t notice them by sight, you can tell something is wrong by the waxy secretion they leave on the plant.

To get rid of them, prune & dispose of the affected branches, twigs and leaves. If there are not too many, the scale can be picked off by hand. Dabbing them with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab will also work on light infestations. When in pots they should be placed on a surface where they can drain freely, like bricks or paving.

7. Thrips

You will notice discolouration and deformities on your plants before you see the bugs themselves. Thrips are tiny black bugs, so they are quite tricky to spot, they will cut a small place in the plant and lay their eggs, these are also difficult to see. If you notice one of your plants is infested with thrips, you should isolate it from others that ‘aren’t.

To get rid of them spray every 2-3 days with soap spray.

Other great resources

Here are our 10 tips to care for Camellias.

1.Select your Variety Wisely

When selecting which variety of Camellia will best suit your garden, start by looking at the bloom time. If you choose plants with different bloom schedules, you will be able to enjoy them for en extended period. Also, consider how certain varieties will suit your garden space. There is almost always a type of Camellia that will slot into your garden like a missing puzzle piece!

2.Planting

You can plant camellias from Autumn, Winter or Spring. When planting, dig a hole twice as wide, and just as deep as the root ball. Refill the bottom of the hole with 5-10cm of soil and pack it down. Place the plant in the centre of the hole; the roots should be slightly above the ground. Camellias do not grow well when planted too deep!

3.Select the right site

Camellias do best in light shade that protects them from the hot afternoon sun. As the Camellia, they can tolerate more sun. Ensure your chosen location has good drainage, camellias font like having wet feet. The more sheltered from the wind, the better the flowering will be – Try planting your camellias 1-2 meters from your house this will provide proper wind protection.

4.Minimal Watering

Camellias will need decent watering when planted. In hot weather, give the camellias a deep soaking twice a week, a deep soak allows the soil to remain moist for longer. Established plants get by with little supplemental water.

5. Mulch

Mulching will keep moisture in the ground, and keep your soil cooler on hot summer days. Also, mulch keeps weeds at bay. When mulching, don’t pile on too much, 3-5cm is enough. Remember, mulch should not touch the trunk of the plant.

6. Fertilizer

Fertilize Camellias in Spring after the flowers have dropped. Fertilize again in midsummer if the growth seems sluggish, or foliage begins to look sparse and lose its colour.

7. Prune after Bloom

Remove any dead or weak wood, thin out dense growth to allow room for flowers to bloom. Shorten lower branches to encourage upright growth. Cut back the top to make lanky plants bushier.

When in pots they should be placed on a surface where they can drain freely, like bricks or paving.

8.Be vigilant of infestations

Camellias are susceptible to some viruses and fungal diseases. There are two fatal diseases, Root Rot Fungus & Camellia Petal Blight. To avoid root rot, make sure your Camellias’ soil is well-drained. Petal Blight appears in the form of rust spots on the flowers if you spot it to remove any infected buds, remove all mulch surrounding the plant and replace.

9.Shaping

Most plants develop an attractive shape without pruning; however, camellias can be shaped to fit into your garden landscape perfectly. To begin with, remove any thin or disproportionate branches that stick out and don’t look right. Then prune for the general shape.

10.Step back & Enjoy your Hardwork

The Camellia is one of the worlds favourite flowers providing beautiful blooms through autumn, winter and into spring. Even when they are not blooming, they are an excellent addition to any garden, with their attractive dark green glossy evergreen leaves.

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