Great Ideas with Hardy Plants
Episode: # 9 02/06/07
Presenter: Phil Dudman
We get to visit a lot of gardens on this show and come across so many good ideas that sometimes we just have to share them with you. How about this for an idea? Phil visits a garden that has a bougainvillea (Bougainvillea cv.) that is absolutely thriving but the great thing about it is why it was planted in the first place.
The veranda of the property is a lovely place to sit but it faces directly west so you can imagine how hot it can get in the afternoon. When the owners were looking for something to plant to help cool the spot, they went with bougainvillea. They could not have made a better choice because it loves the heat and the dry. When you consider the colour it brings it is not only functional but it looks fantastic too. All it takes is a bit of regular pruning to keep it in shape.
Talking about using climbers to great effect, an old favourite is the star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Train it, clip it and then clip it some more. That is the thing with this marvellous plant, whether you have a narrow walkway next to your house, a post that needs softening or a dull old wall you want to pretty up, the star jasmine is perfect for the job because it responds so well to trimming time and time again.
They doesn’t ask for much in fact, once it is established, it will thrive with very little water and come spring the area around the plant will be full of the most delicious scent.
If you have a sunny courtyard you know it can be a hot and harsh environment for plants but with something tough like the Yucca (Yucca elephantipes cv.) you have a great survivor that will always catch your eye. Use them repeatedly in a space and you can create a really stylish designer look.
Once they have been in a while they develop a wonderful multi-trunk effect. Underneath, all you need is a simple planting of ground cover like Rhoeo (Tradescantia spathacea) and you have a brilliant look for a hot spot that needs very little water and almost no care.
So there you go, with a few hardy plants and a bit of imagination you can come up with some great design solutions. Why don’t you try some of these ideas yourself?
Presenter: Phil Dudman
We get to visit a lot of gardens on this show and come across so many good ideas that sometimes we just have to share them with you. How about this for an idea? Phil visits a garden that has a bougainvillea (Bougainvillea cv.) that is absolutely thriving but the great thing about it is why it was planted in the first place.
The veranda of the property is a lovely place to sit but it faces directly west so you can imagine how hot it can get in the afternoon. When the owners were looking for something to plant to help cool the spot, they went with bougainvillea. They could not have made a better choice because it loves the heat and the dry. When you consider the colour it brings it is not only functional but it looks fantastic too. All it takes is a bit of regular pruning to keep it in shape.
Talking about using climbers to great effect, an old favourite is the star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Train it, clip it and then clip it some more. That is the thing with this marvellous plant, whether you have a narrow walkway next to your house, a post that needs softening or a dull old wall you want to pretty up, the star jasmine is perfect for the job because it responds so well to trimming time and time again.
They doesn’t ask for much in fact, once it is established, it will thrive with very little water and come spring the area around the plant will be full of the most delicious scent.
If you have a sunny courtyard you know it can be a hot and harsh environment for plants but with something tough like the Yucca (Yucca elephantipes cv.) you have a great survivor that will always catch your eye. Use them repeatedly in a space and you can create a really stylish designer look.
Once they have been in a while they develop a wonderful multi-trunk effect. Underneath, all you need is a simple planting of ground cover like Rhoeo (Tradescantia spathacea) and you have a brilliant look for a hot spot that needs very little water and almost no care.
So there you go, with a few hardy plants and a bit of imagination you can come up with some great design solutions. Why don’t you try some of these ideas yourself?
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