What to Do - Under-Story Planting
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Episode: #15 28/07/07
One of the best things about winter gardening in Queensland is that it is a great opportunity to step back and have a good look at areas that can do with a lift. Often it is the areas under established trees and palms that need the most attention. Phil visits Botanix Lifestyle Garden Centre at Wellington Point to check out some eye-catching under-story planting ideas.
Cordylines are always superb choices for dappled light and winter is one time they really express their true colours. There is a brilliant pink variety that would just look fabulous spotted about the under palms. It would have an absolutely breath-taking effect.
Cycads (Cycas revolute) always help to create a lush tropical look but the best thing is they are just so incredibly hardy and need minimal water. Why not try one that is a little out of the ordinary the Zululand Cycad (Encephalartos ferox). It has a great name and it comes from Mozambique where it is an endangered species. The hard spiny leaves make a great display.
The Philodendron ‘xanadu’ (Philodendron, Hybrid Cultivar, ‘Xanadu’) has become a bit of a standard, but for reliability you just can not beat it. It loves the shade but it can cope with a fair bit of sun too. It is fabulous anywhere you need something tough and when you plant them in the garden en masse it is easy to create a professional landscaped look.
Talking of mass planting, how about Alpinias? A swathe of these with their bright yellow variegation in the leaves is always eye-catching. Then there is the Stromanthes ‘Triostar’ (sanguinea ‘Triostar’) with colourful decorative foliage there is barely a need for flowers.
One plant no tropical garden should be without is the Song of India or Pleomele (Pleomele reflexa) with its simple but beautifully variegated leaves. No matter where you plant it, it just jumps out at you and looks a treat amongst palms, Cordylines, ginger all those tropical favourites. Once it gets going it takes on a dense form and makes an excellent screen.
So there you go that is just a few of the beauties you will discover, so visit Botanix Lifestyle Garden Centre to find something to fill those under story spots in your garden this winter.
Looking for more ideas then make sure you read the latest issue of the Garden Guru Newspaper. Kate Fitzgerald features a range of Frangipanis, Trevor talks about his Singapore inspired tropical garden and Phil has got a guide to growing the best citrus in Queensland. Grab your copy at Mitre 10 stores and selected garden centres.
Botanix Lifestyle and Garden Centre
Nelson Rd
Wellington Point
QLD 4160
Phone: 07 3822 1111
Fax: 07 3822 8055
Email: info@botanix.com.au.
Opening Hours: Mon- Thurs 8.00am - 5.00pm
Friday(Cafe open from 8:00am-5pm, 6pm til late)
Sat/Sun 8am - 5pm
Episode: #15 28/07/07
One of the best things about winter gardening in Queensland is that it is a great opportunity to step back and have a good look at areas that can do with a lift. Often it is the areas under established trees and palms that need the most attention. Phil visits Botanix Lifestyle Garden Centre at Wellington Point to check out some eye-catching under-story planting ideas.
Cordylines are always superb choices for dappled light and winter is one time they really express their true colours. There is a brilliant pink variety that would just look fabulous spotted about the under palms. It would have an absolutely breath-taking effect.
Cycads (Cycas revolute) always help to create a lush tropical look but the best thing is they are just so incredibly hardy and need minimal water. Why not try one that is a little out of the ordinary the Zululand Cycad (Encephalartos ferox). It has a great name and it comes from Mozambique where it is an endangered species. The hard spiny leaves make a great display.
The Philodendron ‘xanadu’ (Philodendron, Hybrid Cultivar, ‘Xanadu’) has become a bit of a standard, but for reliability you just can not beat it. It loves the shade but it can cope with a fair bit of sun too. It is fabulous anywhere you need something tough and when you plant them in the garden en masse it is easy to create a professional landscaped look.
Talking of mass planting, how about Alpinias? A swathe of these with their bright yellow variegation in the leaves is always eye-catching. Then there is the Stromanthes ‘Triostar’ (sanguinea ‘Triostar’) with colourful decorative foliage there is barely a need for flowers.
One plant no tropical garden should be without is the Song of India or Pleomele (Pleomele reflexa) with its simple but beautifully variegated leaves. No matter where you plant it, it just jumps out at you and looks a treat amongst palms, Cordylines, ginger all those tropical favourites. Once it gets going it takes on a dense form and makes an excellent screen.
So there you go that is just a few of the beauties you will discover, so visit Botanix Lifestyle Garden Centre to find something to fill those under story spots in your garden this winter.
Looking for more ideas then make sure you read the latest issue of the Garden Guru Newspaper. Kate Fitzgerald features a range of Frangipanis, Trevor talks about his Singapore inspired tropical garden and Phil has got a guide to growing the best citrus in Queensland. Grab your copy at Mitre 10 stores and selected garden centres.
Botanix Lifestyle and Garden Centre
Nelson Rd
Wellington Point
QLD 4160
Phone: 07 3822 1111
Fax: 07 3822 8055
Email: info@botanix.com.au.
Opening Hours: Mon- Thurs 8.00am - 5.00pm
Friday(Cafe open from 8:00am-5pm, 6pm til late)
Sat/Sun 8am - 5pm
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